Advice on Electronics

[deedubb]

I am trying to outfit my 28' Bayliner with all the latest sonar/gps plotter equipment and possibly radar. From experience what can you guys suggest. I am used to the basics guiding on the west coast but with a new boat I need new electronics.

Thanks

D.

 

[Kipper]

Recently installed the Lowrance LCX-37C it has not disappointed
Sonar/GPS/ Radar - plus it includes NMEA 2000 network that can be set up to monitor your fuel consumption ETC (sensors not included). The Navionics coastal BC charts are not included but can be purchased for around $100.
Nice size screen should be perfect for your size boat.
Kipper

 

[killerbeee]

Do your self a favor and do what ever it takes to get Furuno gear on your boat. One reason......Global leader in marine electronics......
Beeeeeeee

 

[deedubb]

Thanks for the reply kipper..I was cosidering the Broadband sounder to enhance clarity. Do you now anyone with the broadband, wonder if it makes a big difference??

Thanks again

d.

 

[deedubb]

I will check them out BEEEEEEE

thanks

d.

 

[teamchachi]

You didn't mention budget and that plays a big role here.

How much are you willing to spend?


http://www.salmonboats.ca/fishing-boats-for-rent/ - Premium North River and Boston Whaler Rental Fishing Boats

 

[Charlie]

http://www.marine.com/

When you decide what you want check out the refurbished units at the above link... will save you a bit and/ they do come with a warranty!

Tech has gotten so good in the last few years really doesn't make a lot of diff on "brand" name anymore!

 

[Kipper]

Teamchchi brought up a good point about cost. The price difference between the Lowrance and the Furuno (similar syatem) was significant The Lowrance was around $900-$1000 cheaper than the Furuno.
By the way if you check the Vancouver fishing thread, the friend of mine that caught the 35' spring had just installed the Furuno on his boat.

Kipper

 

[Whole in the Water]

I agree with Kipper. I have the same Lowrance set up and love it. The only difference is I have a Furuno 1623 radar. This way I don't have all my eggs in one basket in case something goes wrong with my Lowrance display unit.

I have the Lowrance broadband sounder as well, and it definitely improves sonar performance in regards to depth, target separation and overall clarity. That's my 2 bits.

Sharp hooks and full traps!

 

[Barbender]

I use a Standard Horizon GPS plotter that has been great for me. The cost is much lower than the other makes although you dont get all the bells and whistles. If cost is a factor then I highly recomend them.

 

[Pajan]

Checkout the Garmin 5212. It has EVERYTHING right down to aerial views of many of the harbours.

 

[Outtadablu]

Hey Dee - I loaded my 26' Osprey with the Raymarine E120 and accessories, charts, radar digital depthfinder, etc. It has worked great for me. Thing I like is the Raymarine AIS when it is foggy out. Doesn't do much for the little guys, but the big bruisers floating around out there are picked up right away. But it didn't come cheap, none of the top end ones do though. Took as long to figure out the electronics as it did to outfit the boat. [:0]

 

[squaretailer]

I recently went with the Raymarine c-120 system and am very pleased with the ease of operation and overall funcionality of the unit.The biggest bonus for me is 12.1" color screen.Allows me to view it with ease from the kicker,through a pane of glass at the back of the cabin.Went with the low profile gps antennawhich seems ro work great.Not too sure about the HD digital sounder,work well,but unsure of it's advantages over anything else.Very happy though.

ST

 

[tyee38]

Both the Raymarine C-series and the Fururo NavNet2 &3 are worth checking out.

 

[nahmint]

I'm also running Raymarine on my '08 Hewescraft 220 Searunner HT/ET and am very satisfied with the system. I opted for the C-80 chart plotter and Radar package. Like Squaretailer, ease of operation and clarity of information on the screen was an important factor in my choice. I also had my system commissioned by Raymarine and would recommend that process... aside from registering the warranties, they verified that the system was fully integrated... gps/sonar/radar/vhf.. and tested and verified the accuracy of the readings for my boat.
Some of the other systems I checked out were also high quality, but the integration of the radar into the system was of particular importance to me, and I'm quite happy with this Raymarine stuff.
good luck in your selection.
cheers.