2016 Garmin Package
 

Reaching out for some good recommendations for my new to me Seafari. I will primarily be using this rig in the Gulf out of Hernando Beach, hoping for 50 to 60 miles out for grouper, but also plan to travel around the state for fishing and rendevouxs. My first and only experience was a 2005 545s, which was more than acceptable. Had an upgraded transom mounted transducer which held bottom throughout most speeds on a refurbed 82 BW Sport 15.

I also am considering learning to free dive. I like the idea of mounting a transducer in hull in a custom bath of antifreeze. Not sure if this could save some money on the transducer, but I've heard that it works well. My budget is roughly 1500 to 2000 tops because I still need to purchase the Smart gauge tach for the Etec 150. Windlass anchor temporarily on hold. Would really like to stay with Garmin and will need an installer in Hernando County, as well.

Thanks,
Part II

you may not need the tach... just pick up the $100 cord to hook it to whatever unit you buy... I use lowrance .... but with that budget would step up to Simrad... I have 2 HDS 7s the last one I picked up online for 699 from academy with a 100 rebate... I am networking them, the motor, sonic hub and plan to add the 3 or 4 g radar .... the addition of the radar and sonic hub was why I went with lowrance .... their radar is lighter and uses less power with better clarity than the others ... I am using the transom mounted transducer for now.... and haven't really planned to change this so I can get water temp readings .... I did get to use a 12" garmin and liked it a lot .... easy to use ... good clear screen even in sunlight... I installed all of my stuff with very little effort... nothing too difficult with any of it .... I have a good bit tied up in my noise maker also with 4 Rockford fosgate 6 1/2's a 10" completion bazooka sub running off a 600 watt 5 channel amp... ( my old mariner was loud so I needed a LOUD radio... Good luck on the endless choices ...

Mike, Stay with the internal tub or thru-hull in Bayort - too much grass with all the bait shrimpers working all night for a transom mount. You will be "blinded" before you get to the Sea bouy ("HB" Tripod). You will go nuts backing up to clear the grass. Get out there off shore in a couple of weeks and on a cloudless day you can see the rock pile in 30' of water. Try a little north of west and look in approximately the 15' depths, 24' depths and 32' depths. That's what Conner taught me in the 70's and he's really old and sneaky.
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Mike,
The Garmin 94 SV Chirp is an exceptional unit that I was allowed to test for Garmin before it was released. It's a 9" unit that does has everything including the engine monitoring features you want as well as traditional chirp, downvu and sidescan. I have tested all of the transom mount ducers and have not had one issue with weed loading in the worst conditions as Garmin radically changed design over the Airmar transom mounts. Garmin also offers a good in hull, liquid filled ducer but you loose sidescan with that and that is what really helps finding new bottom. This set up would be well within your budget and give you all that you want in bottom finding and awesome plotter functions. Installation is a breeze and I would be more than happy to help you do it right at my house. I have water near by so testing is not an issue.

Here are some real screen shots from my boat during testing.

More

Plotter

Moree

Cabelas website has a garmin in their bargain bin currently for half price ...

That's the 73 SV non chirp and was a first generation of the SV models prior to Garmin adding chirp to the SV line. It's still a great unit but it's lacking chirp and other good features such as offshore maps. It has lake vu maps included but by the time you spend the money on a map chip for saltwater you still have a non-chirp unit and I don't think it does engine data. Another feature the 94 SV Chirp has is screen shot captures and real time bottom contour mapping. Yep, you can now build your own private detailed bottom mapping as you go. The 94 SV Chirp also has a very cool quick release mounting option that keeps you from having to disconnect the power and transducer cords. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it at first but I grew rather fond of it after dealing with the cables on my 7610 xsv. You also have to consider screen size. the 9" screen is a huge jump over the 7".

Thank you so much for the info and feedback. I am not a tech guy by any means, but I can navigate my iPhone when I need something and someone shows me once or twice. (Read: Firefighter). I REALLY like the idea of engine monitoring without requiring a gauge, I mean if I lost the GPS, wouldn't I more than likely lose the gauge, as well. Of course I'll always have a compass as a back up, but I'd sure like to put the money in the unit and just keep the analogue tach.

I find Garmin kind of user friendly, however, after becoming comfortable with the 545s and its limited abilities, my ignorance steered me away from CHIRP, Sidescan and Naked vision (?). Now maybe I should spend some time checking out some friends rigs. I was sold on the newer 7407 xsv or whatever because we used one out of HB two years ago. 7 inch touchscreen I guess was the attraction. However I do not want to spend cash on two year old technology. Keeping an open mind. Thank you!!!

Thanks Ken. I have researched the 94sv with transom ducer at $1299.00. I guess that this model has more to offer than the 7 or 8 inch series which include a touch screen? I really liked the touch screen but am familiar with the key pad of my last 545s. This would be the difference of the added features of CHIRP, sidevu and downvu which is not available with touchscreen? The value of the 9 inch screen seems priceless.

My 545, after nine years of thorough washing and little sea spray, the card door eventually stopped clicking shut, then causing the spring to rust and break. Has this been improved? Do you use the SD card? Reason I ask is, the area available to HB only goes as far south as Tampa, but of course over to NOLA!?! It's listed at $321.. And thank you for the offer of assisting with install!!!

Michael

Mike,
You will be good with the mapping that is in the unit already. The only thing the mapping doesn't have is vision and that is worthless anyway. The card reader door is magnetic so you shouldn't have a problem and it takes a regular micro sd card for storing and transferring data. You can record the sonar, take screen shots and store the live bottom mapping as well.

To get touch screen you would have to take the next step up to the xsv series. They do it all but at a hefty price. Unless you absolutely have to have touch screen or need radar I would stay with the 94 SV Chirp. Give me a call when you get ready to order and I will see what I can do on finding the best price. The one you quoted was including the GT51 TM. That is a flagship ducer but the GT 52 is a very good, if not better a ducer than the 51 in the depths you will most likely spend most of your time. It's also shorter and may be a better fit allowing you to mount it at the bottom center of the hull where it works best. It's also less expensive than the 51 and would reduce the overall price of your package.

Ok, I did not put together the xsv being the next level up. I do like the unit and it is what I had originally budgeted for. I was by my soon to be nephew in laws shop yesterday and saw the new style ducer. Big difference. Never thought of mounting it centered on transom. The one I saw was almost six inches long which may interfere with lower unit. I'm going to let him quote me for the unit, the GT2, and I'm not sure how much he knows about harness/adapter for connecting to the Etec. He is a Suzuki guy.

Needless to say, I will not be dragging the boat up here for the install. Hoping to be down this week until the 18th, and possibly back for Memorial Day. Received new SC title, registration and hull numbers in Hand!!!

Vezo, Part II

I just purchased an echomap chirp 74sv. Can't wait to let you all know how it works. Should be soon.

Thank you Hermit! May I contact you the next time I'm headed to So. Wellfleet?

Vezo, Part II

sure....I should be an expert by then :P

Moose, got a response from BOE, old member here, yachtjim.

1 Lowrance Evinrude Engine Interface Cable-Red. $. 99.95
1 Lowrance Network Starter Kit $. 69.95
1 Garmin Chirp 94sv. $.1049.99
1 Garmin GT52hw-TM. $. 249.99

Or Garmin GT51M-TM. 12 point $. 489.99

1469.88 or
1959.87

The GT52 does not mention temp. Any thoughts?
Buddy getting me prices, comparing 7608 xsv touch also.

My brother just got this on Moose`s rec and loves it. Makes my Runo 1650 look like a dinosaur.

Stuff!
 

Maybe the "Runo" screen sees the same thing when it looks back at the helm. - OLD! It could be a Kelvan Hughes 8" paper machine! You can have stuff on board that lights up like a Chrismas tree with all the bells and whistles but at the end of the day you gotta' ask - what's in the fish box?

I got a good price from SemperFi, Gil Travis, but forget to ask about synchronizing Etec. Called my local dealer and they stated that the NMEA cable does not run back to the outboard but to the gauges. Duh? So will I end up having to replace/upgrade the gauges/tach? Trying to get down this weekend because my 2006 Etec was purchased as a leftover in 2009 and installed. Maybe the current guage will work.

I still fish by landmarks.

110 off the Tiara. 142 off the Church. Line up the Eiffel tower with the south dome in 90.
7 windows, the rock pile and on and on. We look at ugly condos whilst fishing here and they look back at us.

Ziggy was down from Vahmont and got a 30 lb blackfin off 7 windows.

Vezo, try etecownersgroup.com
They are all knowing.

Do you have system check or ICom?

All I can say at this point is my 99 Johnson on the MA has the old system check. The Etec I would guess is still a "system check" because it ain't like Denny's...

2006 etec is a nema 2000 motor. Cable should plug into new garmin. You'll need to get the nema cable from evi dealer. Nema plug comes out of the emm.

That is the truth brother, all the stuff in the world won't put fish on the deck but I have to say this new gear is pretty amazing. I have found tons of new spots with the side scan that the JRC missed. That said the ol girl still earns her keep on the dash as nothing can see a 6" ledge at 30 knots like that old box can.

Mike, Sorry I have been off the board for a few days but Gil was who I would have referred you to. Unbeatable knowledge and service after the sale. If you need help getting it all hooked up I will more than happy to help out.

G1 can still use the old SC gauges, but the icom is this century and has mucho data.
I am so Cretaceous.

Sweet! Thank you brothers and Happy Mothers Day! I'm headed to HB to burn some of that fresh tank of non-ethanol that's been waiting on me. Will advise..!