BigBendFishing.Net

The wife is getting me a GPS for the boat and I want to be able to download the files you guys have here- Especially for the Rock Garden.

I just spent 900 bucks on a lower unit because i dont know what I'm doing in there. Did catch some nice Reds, But, that was an expensive trip!

Do I want or need color?
Should I get a GPS/FishFinder or just a GPS and use my old FishFinder?


What do the experts say?

For the money and user drinely GPS i would get a garmin Gps 172C i have one and love it and simple to operate and can up load and down load data also to and from the computer

I prefer a handheld, cause you can use it for hunting, traveling and on other boats.......I have Garmin GPSMAP 76CS, I love it....I like the Lowrance and Raymarine ones as well...

Last spring I bought a handheld Garmin 76 - I went low figuring over the next couple of years prices would come down and technology would go up - plus I am cheap. My dream is a color mapping unit with decent sized screen that will plug into the boat (and also display depth and water temperature) and the car. But even the b&w non-mapping 76 has proven extemely useful and it being a hand-held I've used it in the woods.

I have a Map76 that I use on my kayak, but would have to say go with the Map76c now. I'm fairly certain that Garmin has quit making the Map176. They have the Map276C and Map376C to replace it now. If you can find a new or used Map176C they are a good unit and shouldn't break the bank. Raymarine has a nice new color handheld available now. Here it is: http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Prod ... ct_id=1723
They're making a matching depthfinder also. http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Prod ... ct_id=1698
I don't know much about the Raymarine units, but they look good. I've been considering integrating the matching GPS and fishfinder into my kayak. The small screen wouldn't be a problem for me since it would only be 2' away max.

Nathan

Garmin for GPS. Period. I would start with a good handheld like any in the 76 series. Get a mapping version though. Pick up the Bluecharts software and it comes with Mapsource. Then you can download the gps files from here and import them into your machine.

I have a Garmin GPS 76 (not a map unit) and a Garmin GPS 172C. I've had the 76 for several years, and think enough of it th have just had it reconditioned by Garmin. However, I really like the 172C Chartplotter. Having the map in front of you makes all the difference in the world. If you choose a mapping unit, buy a Garmin, and buy the Bluechart software. You won't regret it. If you're looking for something to use in the boat and car, the 276 would probably be a better choice. I strongly reccommend against a combination GPS/sounder. Most people I've talked to that have them get tired of either toggleing between the sounder and GPS, or are not satisfied with the lack of map shown with the split screen function. I also use the split screen function on my sounder when offshore fishing. You lose that capability with a combo unit if you have the GPS visible.Regardless of what type unit you buy, Garmin is the simplest to operate, and, in my opinion, has the best software available.

Garmin 162, you just need to decide hand held or fixed mount , which would work for you, the 76's are great and any fixed mounts 152 - 172 are great, and how much you want to spend...

bman.....I know where you can get a real nice Garmin 168 that would be perfect for what you do. Right now it's mounted on a 21' HydraSport. I would suggest just buying the HydraSport and getting the Garmin for free ! It's already got alot of real nice #'s in there. To prove it, we'll go to a few . What do you think?????

dolphinatic
That sounds great- It just a little bigger boat than I need!
But I'm excited about going and really excited to try out the GPS.
That will give me a little better idea of what I really want.

Oh yea- and the DIGITS

we'll do.....just remember, this one comes with fish......BIG ONES!!!!