Combo GPS/FF or separate units???

[alarie]

I guess I should have also said that I am limited by budget somewhat...The Furuno units look awesome, but are really out of my budget unless I skip the chartplotter altogether. I was thinking that I might be able to afford a cheaper color FF and stick with a mono GPS.

Any thoughts on what to get with a $700-800 budget for both units? Perhaps this is not realistic and I should save my money and get the good stuff???

[RS]

For how I find fish, I would forgo the better depth finder for now. We both fish these boats in relatively shallow (< 70 ft) water. Besides, the cheap Humminbird that came with my boat had more features than my 15 year old King 920 that cost over $400 back then, so a $120 unit will be fine.

If you plan on fishing Narr. bay at night, the chartplotter with Blue Chart is sweet, especially when the fog rolls in.

[Dave Hirshberg]

I agree that separate units is the optimal way to go, but on your budget you'll get better quality and more features in a combo that cost less than separate units of the same quality. Lowrance has really steppped it up in marine electronics lately and has a new LMS 335C dual frequency Color fishfinder/chartplotter/chart recorder with color high resolution 5" diagonal screen for $699. I've used the garmin stuff as well and like it but you'll spend $880 for their combo and won't have chart-recording capability. They have also introduced a small all in one color unit called an M68 S/Map with Daylight readable color screen that I've played with at shows for $349.00. You can't add to the base map but its a great size for a small boat and the antenna is internal. If you want I'll give you the number of a supplier that sends me a mailer on all of the lorance stuff. he's usually at leasst $50 cheaper than the retail stores on the same units.

[Dave Hirshberg]

heres a link
http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/Products/LMS-335CDF.asp

[alarie]

I have also looked at that Lowrance unit, the LMS 335C. Looks like a great item for the money. I am also seeing the 5.5" Furuno F600 color units on ebay for about $700, but this more money for a single unit.

Any thoughts on the Furuno vs Lowrance functionality? I know they both rock, but is the furuno worth the extra money?

[Dave Hirshberg]

Anymore Just about all of the Manufacturers use a windows type system that gives you menu boxes or windows that you highlight functions in. I've used both and I think its just a matter of learning the specific system. Lowrance seems similar to Garmin and furuno is kind of its own system and similar only to Themselves from my experience.

[Dave Hirshberg]

Peter,
I get this mailer form a place called Specialty Sports in Perry GA #1-800-327-3751
They have the Lowrance Lms330C for $559.00 and the 335CDF for $602.00
I've never bought from them but their prices are very good.
The M68C S-map is $344.