As I stated in an earlier post I recently purchased a boat. And after fishing this past weekend with Breezy and poco Bueno I realize that a good GPS is a must. I know absolutely nothing about GPS and fishfinders, I would like one that I can map right of ways and also Mark waypoints or places I have caught fish. i have seen the ones that have The little fish symbols and show all the bottom structure and really that does not interest me Because I do not do a lot of freshwater fishing. I want one that I can map out different Bay Systems. I also do not want to break the bank and getting one. What do you all suggest make, model, price range?
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lowrance, Garmin, Humminbird. all have good units in different sizes and price ranges. If you get one that will take map cards you'll like it. I've been a lowrance guy for years, but I put a 858c Humminbird on my new boat. I added a navionics platinum card, and also I have all the hotspot maps from Sabine to Brownsville loaded in the internal memory thanks to a card from Capt, John with Angler Products in Seabrook Tx. -
What would be good in the under $500 range or is there no such thing. ?Comment
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Really, any current GPS will let you do what you want. If you're brand new to boating in the bays, I would suggest you get a unit that has 2 inputs for chips and that you get a Navionics Platinum + chip for the area(s) you will be fishing AND a hotspot chip for the area(s). Without detailed information on depths, bottom structure and where to go it can get scary for a new boat owner. I know because I'm in my first boat this year.
I did a lot of research and I went with Lowrance. Personally, I broke the bank and got an HDS 12 Touch and the chips I mentioned above. I looked at it as an insurance policy for my boat - the more info I got and the easier it was to access, the less likely I was to get into trouble. Our friends and family (most of whom don't use GPS) had all sorts of stories of running into hidden reefs and getting stuck on sandbars as they learned the bays by trial and error. I did not want this to be me, with the money I invested in my boat. Also, I figured a top of the line unit could be easily resold, if I decided it was overkill. Everybody I've had out fishing (that has their own boat and is very experienced) has "oooohed and aaaahed" over it and all want one. I regularly hear, "man, if I'd have had one of those, when I was learning these bays, I would have had a lot less repairs!" Not saying its necessary but it does add a little extra peace of mind.
The down/side scan isn't always useful but it has found me some spots that aren't marked on hotspot chips - it has allowed me to pinpoint some hidden structures in deeper sections of the bays, around the POC jetties and even out at the rigs off POC. It's a luxury, certainly, but it has definitely added to the productivity.
If you're looking for an affordable but really good unit, I'd look at the Lowrance HDS-7 Gen 2. That would be my starting point. Every step up from there will be nice. Don't skimp on your GPS. Last night I was coming back in from night fishing and my spotlight went out. I had to trust my GPS to get me home in a pitch black and choppy bay. Having my big touch screen was a nice comfort. Last night I was GLAD I spent the money I did.
Good luck on your search! Tight lines, brother!Comment
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X2 on buying from Capt. John!!
Give him a call and talk to him about what you need and can afford. He's a GREAT guy and wants to help. Plus, he regularly has used units at big discounts and he's a stand-up guy.
At a $500 price point, I'd be looking at an older, used, unit. Check classifieds on 2Cool.Comment
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Good advise for sure. I agree with Horitexan on not skimping on the gps. I would do without some of the other possible options that I could get by without at least at first to make sure that I had a good reliable gps. Mine has saved my butt too many times. I fished a new area in POC a couple of weeks ago, and I went out the evening before and marked the trail, then we followed it back the next morning in the dark. It's nice to able to do that.Comment
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