MajBach
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
- Messages
- 564
Technology is great but sometimes overwhelming. I used to pride myself on thoroughly researching something before buying and always feeling like I made an informed choice.
I don't know if it's because I am getting too old or if these gadgets are just becoming too complicated, but I just don't have the time or patience to read up on the latest and greatest anymore.
A colleague of mine just purchased a boat and asked me to pick out a sonar unit for him. He doesn't realize the depth of that request! I too am thinking about upgrading my 10 year old Lowrance. So, might be a good time to start researching what is out there.
So, what do we want? Well, I am going to assume that my friend would want the same thing as I would want (he makes more money than I so he can afford it), and, it will almost certainly be me that programs it so I may as well shop as if shopping for one.
I have always liked Lowrance - for both marine and on the road. If it wasn't for the lack of chart compatibility and versatility when I last shopped for a hand held, I would have bought the H20. Right now I own GPS76 CSx. I use it in conjunction with my Lowrance X-25 sonar; a unit I am also happy with - or was at the time. Price was an issue back then, so I want to upgrade to something better. At the time too, I decided that a handheld GPS would be the best all-around choice because I can use it for driving, boating, Geocaching etc. and I would only have to program one unit. But, I now appreciate the value of a larger screen in a chart plotter and even those dedicated driving/mapping unit seem to function better than a portable handheld. I've always liked the handhelds though for their versatility - being able to add waypoints and custom POIs from my PC etc. I haven't found (maybe haven't looked hard enough?) a chart plotter or other device that does that.
But, I think my friend wants a dual unit [chartplotter, not sonar only] and I do too, despite the fact that we both have good handhelds. So, that is my first question: Do chartplotters allow you to connect to a computer to upload waypoints from other devices? Do chartplotters also have memory cards (like my 76 CSx) so that I can program the maps rather than buy cards for them? This is important to me because I have almost ALL of the Garmin maps on DVD (yes, purchased and licenced). Are there units that take both pre-programmed SD cards as well as flash memory cards?
We recently acquired a new patrol boat for our detachment which came equipped with a Garmin 4208. Since I am the tech junkie of the bunch, the task of learning how to use this thing fell to me. Well, the manual is the size of the Criminal Code! I glanced under the dash to quickly ascertain if I can connect my laptop to this behemoth and upload maps/tracks/waypoints. What I saw looked more like a computer server room rather than a boat!
I decided I will learn how to use it over the slow season but my point is, I would like to have a unit(s) that is compatible with everything else around here since our work and play times often overlap.
If it's not possible to obtain this compatibility/versatility between the fixed boat units, our handhelds and laptops, then all bets are off and I'll look outside of Garmin. Humminbird was a four letter word when I bought my Lowrance, but they look like they have improved by leaps and bounds.
As another point of interest, I would like to learn a little about the difference in transducer frequencies, i.e. advantages and disadvantages. I am quite disappointed with how easily my Lowrance loses bottom signal at higher speeds on my personal boat. I thought it might have something to do with peak-to-power or the frequency of the transducer but I have had a few sources assure me it's the hull of my boat that impacts this the most. Still, I live in deep/murky waters now (I was in shallower, cleaner waters when I bought the unit) and I would like something that is more capable.
Price range? Under $1000
I know I have been long winded. Just my way of being thorough. Thanks a heap for reading to the end. All advice is greatly appreciated.
MajBach
Maybe ignorance is bliss?
I don't know if it's because I am getting too old or if these gadgets are just becoming too complicated, but I just don't have the time or patience to read up on the latest and greatest anymore.
A colleague of mine just purchased a boat and asked me to pick out a sonar unit for him. He doesn't realize the depth of that request! I too am thinking about upgrading my 10 year old Lowrance. So, might be a good time to start researching what is out there.
So, what do we want? Well, I am going to assume that my friend would want the same thing as I would want (he makes more money than I so he can afford it), and, it will almost certainly be me that programs it so I may as well shop as if shopping for one.
I have always liked Lowrance - for both marine and on the road. If it wasn't for the lack of chart compatibility and versatility when I last shopped for a hand held, I would have bought the H20. Right now I own GPS76 CSx. I use it in conjunction with my Lowrance X-25 sonar; a unit I am also happy with - or was at the time. Price was an issue back then, so I want to upgrade to something better. At the time too, I decided that a handheld GPS would be the best all-around choice because I can use it for driving, boating, Geocaching etc. and I would only have to program one unit. But, I now appreciate the value of a larger screen in a chart plotter and even those dedicated driving/mapping unit seem to function better than a portable handheld. I've always liked the handhelds though for their versatility - being able to add waypoints and custom POIs from my PC etc. I haven't found (maybe haven't looked hard enough?) a chart plotter or other device that does that.
But, I think my friend wants a dual unit [chartplotter, not sonar only] and I do too, despite the fact that we both have good handhelds. So, that is my first question: Do chartplotters allow you to connect to a computer to upload waypoints from other devices? Do chartplotters also have memory cards (like my 76 CSx) so that I can program the maps rather than buy cards for them? This is important to me because I have almost ALL of the Garmin maps on DVD (yes, purchased and licenced). Are there units that take both pre-programmed SD cards as well as flash memory cards?
We recently acquired a new patrol boat for our detachment which came equipped with a Garmin 4208. Since I am the tech junkie of the bunch, the task of learning how to use this thing fell to me. Well, the manual is the size of the Criminal Code! I glanced under the dash to quickly ascertain if I can connect my laptop to this behemoth and upload maps/tracks/waypoints. What I saw looked more like a computer server room rather than a boat!
I decided I will learn how to use it over the slow season but my point is, I would like to have a unit(s) that is compatible with everything else around here since our work and play times often overlap.
If it's not possible to obtain this compatibility/versatility between the fixed boat units, our handhelds and laptops, then all bets are off and I'll look outside of Garmin. Humminbird was a four letter word when I bought my Lowrance, but they look like they have improved by leaps and bounds.
As another point of interest, I would like to learn a little about the difference in transducer frequencies, i.e. advantages and disadvantages. I am quite disappointed with how easily my Lowrance loses bottom signal at higher speeds on my personal boat. I thought it might have something to do with peak-to-power or the frequency of the transducer but I have had a few sources assure me it's the hull of my boat that impacts this the most. Still, I live in deep/murky waters now (I was in shallower, cleaner waters when I bought the unit) and I would like something that is more capable.
Price range? Under $1000
I know I have been long winded. Just my way of being thorough. Thanks a heap for reading to the end. All advice is greatly appreciated.
MajBach
Maybe ignorance is bliss?
