I would really like some input on chartplotters/sounders, I have been doing quite a bit of surfing and have come to the conclusion that the garmin 188 is a pretty good deal. I have not really looked at any other product line and I don't really know what is out there. I thought about buying a bluetooth stand alone gps and using my notebook, but my boat is a sunbridge and there just is no room for all that up where I need it

The 188 is an excellent choice and easily the most popular combo unit in that price range, great chartplotter that uses the Garmin Blue Chip cartography (IMHO, better then either C-Map or Navionics) along with a 500 watt (rms), dual frequency fishfinder built-in, sweet unit. The only other combo unit in this price range I would consider is the Furuno 1650, very similar features and now that the price is in the same ball park as the Garmin the only thing that keeps me from picking this over the Garmin is the fact that it uses the other cartography (your choice, it will take either C-map or Nav.) You really can't go wrong with either of these units/brands.
I wouldn't be suprised if the Lowrance and or Raymarine fans voice their opinions on their units but let me just say from working in the industry, there are far more dissappointed/unhappy Lowrance and Ray customers then there are Garmin or Furuno.

My choice for this task is a cheap GPS from Wal-Mart plus a laptop computer. Get a used laptop out of the want ads for 300 bucks. Get the GPS for about 100 bucks. Download free GPS plotting software from www.sping.com
Download free digital charts from a link found at the same site. Hook it all up and you are set, plus the laptop can do 100 other things like download photos, predict tides, send E-mails describing all the fish you caught, and so on. When you leave the boat you take the laptop with you, just like any 21 century fisherman should do!!

AKKings is there any functional difference between dgps and waas enabled gps, and is the furuno availible in grayscale. I want to keep the cost down and stay out of the color price range...


Barnettm I really like that idea and with the blue tooth stuff just coming out there are some awesome options.. check this out http://www.capjack.com/catalog/BluetoothWirelessGPS.asp
I just do not have room for a notebook on my ciera up where I can see it nor have I found a way to keep it dry(even new canvas is not perfect)

JD, The Furuno 1650 only comes in color and is in the ballpark of the color Garmin 188 price wise, the 188c with a transom mount x-ducer runs $1254, the 1650 has different versions which range in price from $1250 upto around $1500. The Garmin 188 (grayscale) runs $999. As for the question on DGPS vs. WAAS, they are both more accurate then basic gps but with DGPS you have to buy a seperate differential beacon ($20-$25) where as WAAS is built into the unit. The Garmin comes with WAAS built in, the Furuno gives you the option of WAAS or DGPS.

CPU is the only way to go. I run my radar and GPS off of it. I would recomend spending a little money and getting the software from nobletech. You can run into problems and they help in any way possible. DGPS ~ $250. CPU go to dellauctions.com ~ $500 includes a warranty plus it is pretty fun. Nobletech software can vary depending on what version you buy ~ $250 - ~ $750. I have run Garmin, Furuno, and an Echotech and this setup is by far the best.

When I interfaced the radar it even made it better. I can place boats up to ~5 miles away and see where they are at in relation to the chart. It is a thing of beauty.