Chartplotter/depth finder suggestions

[buddyrow]

Way too much technology out there for me to wade through solo. My eyes are going crossed looking at all the options. Boat will spend its life on rivers and nearshore. Budget is around $2000.

[Gregory]

I just went with Lowrance HDS PRO 12 inch x 2. It's a Ford, Chevy, Dodge decision.

[Catdaddy]

Do you spend much time on lakes Murray, Hartwell, Clark Hill, Wateree, Marion, or Moultrie?

If so I would go with a Lowrance Live or Pro and get the Cmaps card. Cmaps actually went to those lakes and mapped them,...so they are dead on accurate.

Also, on other bodies of water you can make your own map.

Sent from my motorola edge plus 5G UW (2022) using Tapatalk

[HCSC]

I picked up the 1st gen garmin ultra 126sv with the gt56 transducer on sale a couple weeks ago. Got it for around 2k.

[buddyrow]

No, I don’t really go to the lakes. Primarily coastal bays and rivers associated. Heard that Garmin was a pain to update and I guess that’s a thing.

Maps for channels in bays and nearshore is important. Screen size 10” is ideal I would think. The bottom imaging on some of these things is pretty impressive though not required for my needs.

[tprice]

Changed out my Lowrance HDS Live 7” to 12” for about $1700 last fall (did not need transducer )

Had 7” installed on wife’s pontoon

[Saltydog235]

Lowrance or Simrad. Lowrance is more user friendly for most.

[buddyrow]

Any particular model Simrad?

[Whackumstackum]

Garmin. The maps are better, sonar is better, switching is better, easy to use, etc. it’s not a ford vs Chevy thing anymore, Garmin MFD’s are at the top.

[buddyrow]

Garmin model for my price range? Went down the rabbit hole on Garmin’s site and tapped out. It’s ridiculous how much tech has been added to these things.

Clear accurate maps and a depth finder - that’s all I’d like. Saw one review that praised being able to watch tv on his chartplotter. Gracious.

So far we have:

Lowrance pro or live
Garmin ultra or mfd
Simrad ?

[Saltydog235]

Any particular model Simrad?

I run EVO3s but I’ve used them and the Lowrance HDS so long that I can run through it without thinking.

A lot of guys are using Garmin and their bottom machine has come a long way from my understanding. I just stick with what I know anymore. Yamaha, Simrad and Ford.

[buddyrow]

That makes sense. My last depth finder was a Lowrance HDS in 2010 but I didn’t use it enough to form an opinion.

As far as Garmin’s go, what is the update process? How often? Do I need an app to do it? I don’t really do apps…

[Goin Coastal]

This is it. Use the extra money to buy the Navionics coastal chip.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/796274/pn/010-02688-01

[Chessbay]

I just bought a Simrad GO9 XSE for my Pathfinder with a 3 in 1 transducer and am really happy. I replaced a Garmin.


There is a dude Gil (semperfifishing)over on the hull truth that sells about anything you want and everything is always on sale. He’s trustworthy and knows his stuff. Had it in like two days.

[scdiver]

Simrad go9 hard to beat for basic use multifunction.

Semperfifishing for sure.

[Maggie Glover]

This is it. Use the extra money to buy the Navionics coastal chip.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/796274/pn/010-02688-01

This is a nice unit. I bought 94SV last year, but if you buy the 94SV vs. the 93SV, it has the coastal charts built into it. It will map its own and save them as well. Updates via Bluetooth from your phone, and you can share your maps and get maps from other users. MG.

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Transd...07&sr=8-2&th=1

[scquackaddict]

I’ve always like Garmin. They seem the most user friendly to me. That being said I bought a boat with a lowrance unit on it and it’s fine and user friendly. I’d personally steer away from Simrad. Spent 3 days with one on a rental boat in the keys and could figure out how to work that thing. I know they are nice units but damn it was confusing to operate.

[scquackaddict]

I’ve always like Garmin. They seem the most user friendly to me. That being said I bought a boat with a lowrance unit on it and it’s fine and user friendly. I’d personally steer away from Simrad. Spent 3 days with one on a rental boat in the keys and could figure out how to work that thing. I know they are nice units but damn it was confusing to operate.

[buddyrow]

Going to put my hands on the Garmin, Simrad and Lowrance this week. Appreciate everyone's input. I’ll let you know what y’all spent my money on

[Catdaddy]

.

Sent from my motorola edge plus 5G UW (2022) using Tapatalk