Re: need help buying new fishfinder with gps
If you want to buy a map chip, Garmin has a $200 rebate on the Blue Chart v2 Vision chips when purchased with a 4x1, 5x1, and 5x6 GPS.
I really wanted the Garmin chip for Lake Huron. Found that at $250 at Hodges. I also bought the cheapest 431s - with Sounder and with Basic Blue Charts loaded Inland Lakes already loaded for $410.
Total cost was $660 plus shipping. Net cost was $460 for the 431s and the v2 Vision card - which I was going to buy anyway. So, for me, the net cost for the GPS was $210.
I already have an older Hummingbird fish finder on the boat. I wanted the Garmin Sounder to have the alarm in the same unit with the GPS, so that I can clearly see what is going on (false alarms, difference in detection, etc.)
BUT, I could not see spending the money for a 531 or a 536 (to get better graphics.) These things are not touch screen, where every $150 automotive GPS these days is touch screen! So I looked at the 540, at around $800, or the740 for more than $1,000. But it seems ridicules to spend that much money just to get into a touch screen device on a 6" screen!
So, I am planning on buying an iPad with 3G (only those have the GPS built in), and loading the Navionics, NavXi, or Charts applications. I have the Charts one (forget the full name) on my iPhone, and like that better than the NavXi. the Charts one was $10 I think, teh NavXi was $50. They both can load the free NOAA maps - forget which are raster, which vector, etc. The NavXi or the Navonics iPad/iPhone aps can add the Navionics maps, plus the NavXi can add other purchased maps from the Canadian gov, etc. through an intermediary, eXtreme or similar.
Sorry, not doing the work right now to look up all of the correct names for the iPhone/iPad aps. Still sorting through and learning the different aps, and deciding which I like best.
Bottom line - I think the proprietary marine devices are reaching a junction where they are overpriced for what they offer, compared to the alternatives. I don't want to spend $1,000 on them right now, so I bought the cheapest solution to run the Garmin maps I wanted for the big lakes (great Lakes), and will supplement with more "open" solutions at a much better price point!
You could add in a $30 used fish finder/sounder, so taht you don't have to run split screen all of teh time.
Good luck!
Michael
