Chart Plotting Depth Finder Combos Which One

[Bad Pete]

I am in the market for a navigation depth finder combo. I am not a serious fisherman. I will use it on large island lakes and coastal marine. I want to spend about 400 to 600 $. I will use it on a 17 ft CC boat. I am most concerned about navigation and a depth finder for safety. I don't mind the fish finding capability but that's not critical. I have read a number of reviews of the various products on this site and others and I have targeted the Garmin 547XS 5 inch screen. It comes with the dual frequency transducer and all factory mounting accessories for $499. Priorities are: reliability, ease of use and screen resolution. I don't think I need the Chirp Transducer which is available as an upgrade.

Does anyone have any experience with this unit? Am I on the right track? BTW after looking at all the videos (I'm a do it myself guy) I think I'm going to have a professional install it.

 

[Fed]

The Navionics app is a wonderful thing, smart phone & tablet, SD & HD, free trial versions with downloadable maps.
All the basic functions continue working even after the trial expires & the paid versions are cheap as chips.

 

[David Young]

Go to Amazon and look around. Read the features and reviews on the ones you like. All the 'name brand' units are great. I have a Lowrance Elite 4 chirp for a little over $300. It has the fish finder with the chart plotter, I like the 'man overboard' feature that gps marks when someone was to fall out of the boat I only used the gps speedometer, water temperature and depth function this year but will do some fishing with it next year