Sounder GPS Combo - Choices
Hi FW crew, hoping for some advice here. I've been thinking for some time of getting a cheap sounder/GPS combo unit, and even considered getting something second hand after everyone gets an upgrade for Christmas. My boat is a 5m ally runabout, most of my fishing is done between 2 and 40m depth around the Five Fathom Bank. The boat currently runs a cheap sounder only, which I'll probably keep on there just because I'm too lazy to take it off.
Question is, which brand/model to buy? Budget is an issue, the best options I have found so far (on special at the moment) are:
Lowrance Elite 5 Chirp Combo $599 (base maps only)
Garmin echoMAP 55dv Combo $629 (base maps only)
I've searched on here and the rest of the interweb, and there doesn't seem to be a lot between them. Any preferences, and reasons why, would be appreciated. Or should I be looking at something else entirely, or hang out for a used one after Christmas? I have seen a few used units on Gumtree, but pricing is either way too close to new, or if it's well priced it is sold within 30 minutes of the ad being placed.
Keen to hear any thoughts or suggestions.
Cheers,
BD.
beeroclock
Posts: 746
Date Joined: 22/08/12
I like my Raymarine Dragonfly have a look at Whitworths
website - i bought mine bundled with a navionics gold australia wide navionics chip for around $700 from memory works great very happy with it
Browndog
Posts: 590
Date Joined: 10/04/12
Raymarine
Cheers Beeroclock, I only seem to hear good things about the Dragonfly units, so they seem like a good option. Will give it some consideration.
Any other thoughts from FW land?
Browndog
Posts: 590
Date Joined: 10/04/12
Opinions
Wow, 366 reads, and only one opinion.....
Maybe I should have asked about football, or Bent St boat ramp.....
Michael Yoni
Posts: 604
Date Joined: 02/01/11
Better than 365 (1 replied
Better than 365 (1 replied with experience) replying that they have no experience or suggestions between those two don't you think.
sea-kem
Posts: 15034
Date Joined: 30/11/09
My opinion would be to fork
My opinion would be to fork out and get a HDS5. Easy to use and a good all round unit.
Love the West!
Browndog
Posts: 590
Date Joined: 10/04/12
Thanks
Thanks Sea-kem, but looks like the HDS5 has been discontinued? Going to the 7" may just blow the budget. What are the advantages of teh HDS series over the Elite 5 Chirp?
Cheers,
BD.
Giddyarp
Posts: 26
Date Joined: 20/02/15
I have the echo map 75DV and
I have the echo map 75SV and I love it. I think the base maps on the Garmin are great and they have helped me a lot (I have a really poor sense of direction). The smaller one you are looking at has the same maps and will do the downvu as well. I'm still learning about how to use the sounder aspects of the unit. (Bit of a novice).
I use the same area to fish as you do. I also found it worth the drive to whitworths in O'Connor when I bought my setup. The staff that served me where really helpful and allowed me to have a play with all the units before I made my final choice. It may be a few bob more than buying online but the sales service and if I have a drama the after sales will make the extra worthwhile. (All my opinions only, many guys have had no dramas with buying online etc).
Good luck with your choice,
Dane
Dane Field '03 475 Freedom Sport powered by an '03 60HP efi Merc Towed behind THE 100 (UZJ100 Sahara with a lot of good gear) Located in the Rockingham region "A poor man always buys things twice"
Browndog
Posts: 590
Date Joined: 10/04/12
Thanks
Thanks Giddyarp, I'm still looking at options but I do like the idea of buying from a local supplier. Reading the supervisor's post below is interesting though!
Thanks for your comments.
BD.
thesupervisor
Posts: 1136
Date Joined: 10/06/09
Simrad go7 looks good so
Simrad go7 looks good so good ive ordered one on ebay 450 brand new
Arrives next week so no review as yet
getting the bottom line final answer from a bunch of blokes that use false names and put smiley faces at the end of paragraphs is not the best place in the world to get the information you seek.
Browndog
Posts: 590
Date Joined: 10/04/12
Simrad
Hi Supervisor, just checked them out, they do look quite good, $450 sounds great, I'm interested to hear how it goes, please let me know once you have it setup.
Cheers,
BD