best reasonably priced chartplotter gps

[bigeasy1]

I run a Northstar 600 watt Sonar/Gps combo.I really like the unit,especially the Sonar,it performs perfectly,and marks fish,bait and thermoclines easily and will read bottom 500' or more at 30 mph.
The GPS is nice,but I'm not a big fan of C-Map which it has.

My fishing is strictly trolling the great lakes,and I find that Navionics had more features on their charts for that area i fish (Lake Ontario & Erie)
I'm also tired of toggling back and forth on the screen between GPS and Sonar. Splitting the screen makes each window too small.

I've deciced to pick up a separate gps with either Navionics or blue chart software.I was always a fan of GARMIN as they had very user friendly controls and good customer service.I may go with a combo GPS/Sonar unit just in case my sonar on the Northstar craps out.

What do you suggest other than C-Map?? Is the Garmin blue the way to go or is another brand with navionics better?
I can't break the bank on this as I've already got around $1,200 in the nortstar.
I'd kind of like to stay around the 500.00 dollar range without a chip(could add it later)Don't need a lot of bells and whistles,but do want decent charting and simple waypoint marking and go to features.
Any suggestions???

[floorboy]

I like both my Lowrance or my hummingbird with the navionics fish n chip.

Fnc.


Platinum chip.

[bigeasy1]

Thanks Rod,which do you like better?In years past I always ran Lowrance,but switched over to Garmin because of the terrible customer service from Lowrance.Have they gotten better?
I know nothing about the Humminbird new stuff,years back it was strictly a shallow bass fishermans sonar.The new stuff looks pretty nice I must say.

What's the price range on them?
As I say I love the Northstar,but I don't want to toggle back and forth from sonar to gps,and the screen is to small to split(it's 7").It does give me the all my lat & lons positions along with the depth,speed,temp,etc on the info bar,so I know what numbers I'm at,but I like the full screen when I'm navigating to a particular waypoint.

[workinpr0gress]

Sure like my Lowrance Elite 5

[floorboy]

If I has to pick one I would stay with the Lowrance lcx37. Bog enough screen to see from the back of the boat. Never had a problem with the 1197 but the sonar on the 37 is a little better IMO.