Hi everyone,

I need a new fish finder, GPS...I'll be down at Sekiu so looking for something that works good.

I have heard the Humminbird has good customer service.

Also, I want a unit that doesn't have ten thousand bells and whistles...my boat is open 20 foot Gregor so waterproof is a must. I don't want the darn thing to fog up, I had a Impulse 4040 for many years and it would fog up a little; it was a great unit.

So...what's your favorite, I'm not worried about price, but don't see having to spend over $1200.00

k9hohriver

I now have a Lowrance LCX28c and love it. Hi-def grafics pretty accurate GPS and is also radar compatable. I don't know how water proof it is since I put up the rag-top when it starts raining.
On my last boat I used to put a gallon ziplock bag over the unit to keep it dry and I could easily see thru it to make adjustments and read the screen.

Just my 2 bits worth

hey, thanks a lot SwampElk!

Jim

In your price range, Garmin! very user friendly, great cartography and you can use the plastic bag for your sandwich, not your electronics

I would "Haunt" eBay for a week or so and see what is going for what. I upgraded that way to second generation (Blue Connector Network -- LowranceNet) Lowrance GPS Chart Plotter (GlobalMap 6500) which is radar upgradedable/compatible, and a Lowrance X-107C DF Sonar. I have not installed yet, but I also picked up a Lowrance LMF 400 guage with a fluid level sensor and a fuel flow sensor. I would caution regarding the differences between second generation lowrance networking blue cables and third generation lowrance networking red cables. The "Cross Over" cables from one generation to the other are very hard to find. Stay with one generation (Red -- Latest & Greatest). My next planned addition to the network is going to be a New Lowrance VHF radio to replace my old one. The Lowrance VHF Radio is "Networkable", i.e., tied into the GPS, so coordinates are automatically transmitted when broadcasting an emergency or man overboard.

You do take some risks with the eBay stuff but the prices you can get stuff for are NICE and well within your budget. Also (!!!!!) Color Rocks, don't know how I could've live so long without it. I would make that a mandatory requirement.

I would check out electronics forum at thehulltruth.com I bought a lowrance lcx 27c until I read about thier Customer service. I had not installed it and did a quick return. Now I looking at either Raymarine, Furuno, or Garmin in 3rd.

I guess I'll have to post a "Contrary Lowrance Customer Service" example. I'll admit that I had to wait on hold for over 20 minutes the first time I had to call them (GlobalMap 3300C Problem), but once I had the tech on the line, the service was Top Notched, Courteous, and extremely helpful. The guy had a ton of patience with me, waited until took the cordless phone out to the boat and fired the unit up, then walked me thru problem and solution diagnosis. Then I got a larger GlobalMap 6500c (capacity limitation of SD Cards for various units). I only waited 3 minutes, explained the problem, the girl chuckled and assured me that the solution was as simple as getting a lower capacity SD Card (in this case a 1 GByte card). And later followed up with a "How'd it go email" to me. That is going the extra mile in terms of Good Customer Service and Technical Product Knowledge. Those two experiences has sold me of Lowrance and their ongoing support.

Thanks a lot everyone, this is a pain in the ass looking at all this stuff.
Reading everyone's post is the best part!

Anyone have problems with waterproof units fogging up in rain?

Have a nice evening!
Jim

Just went through a problem with my GPS module for my Lowrance 525c. I knew it had been hooked up right (a bit of a pain in itself). Did all the trouble shooting and took it to a dealer, who hooked it up to a store model.

Fortunately kept the receipt and was just under a year for the warranty. Once I found the number to the service dept (had to get it from the dealer, not a user friendly website) they were pretty helpful. Just sent it back on the 18th and was told it will be 4-6 weeks for the turnaround.

I really like the graphics and screen size. It is very easy to use for non-technical types. Keep a back up GPS in the boat though.... just in case.

For fishing Seiku, it is a good idea mainly because of the nasty sea fog that rolls in all weather.

Good Luck!!!

When getting deals on Ebay or anywhere for that matter make sure the price includes everything. Some are priced pretty low, but don't include the antenna or transducer.

Lowrance products are water proof as far as having it in the open and getting rained on, but I wouldn't put it in a bucket of water over night. Probably the same for the other products too.

If you decide on Lowrance shoot me a PM and I can help you out as far as suggesting a unit that will meet your needs.

I'm almost scared to buy a Lowrance just from reading all the post on the other web site. Sounds like the techs don't have a clue...

The units should be tested more and why do they have to have so many different models?

Anyone have a Garmin 545s?

Jim

Thanks for all the help!

I settled on this http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-545s-Marine-Receiver/dp/B000KLF64E/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2

Good price $953.41 total with tax and free shipping.

Thanks again,
Jim...k9hohriver

I ended up getting a Garmin GPSMAP 545s Marine GPS Receiver and also bought the chip to go with it so I'm happy.

I e mailed Garmin with a few questions and they got right back to me.

I was actually looking at Lowrance, but just to many problems.

So I did it...now we find out if it works. My old Impulse 4040 was a good easy to use touch screen unit that was a little ahead of it's time...

Good fishing and see you at Sekiu for Halibut, I haven't been out there for 4 years.

Jim

Good choice on the Garmin.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

You'll like the Garmin. I've been running their products for over 20 years. Great customer service, too, when I needed it (once).