tull66 
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fish finder/gps questions
I have a monochrome Eagle FF and have no complaints, am I missing anything by not having color? Is it worth the extra money? Same questions for GPS, anything to gain with color? Do I even need GPS? I don't fish Erie or salt.
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: fish finder/gps questions
2011/03/28 12:54:15
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Color is prettier. Keep in mind that 80% of my boat fishing is on Erie, but I don't think color is all that beneficial for the finder. However, the gps is a lot easier to read (in map mode) with color IMO. For my type of fishing (big water on Erie, and structure fishing for crappie/walleye inland) GPS is pretty critical, not only from a success standpoint, but also for safety. You also don't need a combo unit. If you have room you could also have separate GPS and finder units...I actually prefer it that way, although that's not my current configuration. I currently have a Lowrance HDS7 on my Erie boat and a Humminbird 957c combo on my inland boat...overkill? Probably, but I like them both.
If you're happy with your monochrome finder, there's no sense replacing it. If you have a handheld gps, you could use that as well. When your unit dies, upgrade to a nice color unit, either combo or otherwise.
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bulldog1
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RE: fish finder/gps questions
2011/03/28 14:10:06
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I agree with Bogey, I have two combo units on my boat one is color and the other is mono. Map is easier to read in color. I keep one unit on GPS and the other on sonar almost all the time. I just like having a back up GPS on board for Erie. Away from the big lake I could see where GPS would be helpful to mark good locations etc. If what you have is working for you, there's no sense in changing. Unless you need us to tell your wife that the new color model you've been looking at is absolutely critical for safety reasons. 
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tull66
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RE: fish finder/gps questions
2011/03/28 15:13:58
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Thanks. I'd like to add GPS and probably will, I didn't know I could buy gps seperate or I would have had less questions. I have a hand held gps and don't like it. It is good for boat speed and marking spots, that's about it.
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/30 07:20:39
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Color has many advantages over gray scale. Structure is usually a different color and bottom type is easily identified sandy being yellow to hard being red. Thermoclines also much more easier to read with color. Most graphs the color scheme can to changed for personal preference. GPS is great on smaller lakes to mark routes say when trolling. Keeps you from going over the same water twice or repeat track if you prefer. Most also store many way points. I don't believe that any mfg offers an add on GPS system.
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Guest
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/30 12:10:41
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Newest Lowance GPS Only unit is nice. My fishing buddy just got one.
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/30 22:11:28
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/30 22:21:25
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NotherOne
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/31 16:51:08
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there are alot of choices for sonar's. enough to make your head spin. see if u can get a ride on a friends boat that has color and see if you think its worth the money. i am in the market for a new one and have a hard time justifying 2500.00 on a 10" sonar. prices on fishing products are becoming outrageous.
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pghmarty
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/31 17:12:24
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I prefer separate fish finder and GPS
If one breaks I am out less than $200 instead of over $500
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/31 19:22:24
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/31 20:03:34
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I had a Humminbird 787c2 combo on my old boat...great unit. It cost just under $1k with nav card 2 years ago...you can pick one up for half that amount now...still a great unit.
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dewey123
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/03/31 22:26:14
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I have a lowerance hds7 on one of my boats and love it and my other i have a lowerance 5x and a eagle ff for my trolling motor but i use a hand held gps for that boat. I take both boats several mile sout on lake ontario and away from port and fish ports im not familiar with so is a must to get back to the dock especially at night. If your going to be staying on the rivers or small lakes i would just use the hand held gps.
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tull66
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/04/01 09:24:55
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Do I need to know anything about mapping software? Is one better than another?
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The closer we adhere to the Holy Bible and the US Constitution (as it was written) the closer we get to the model that made America great. The great American experiment worked, human nature just got in the way.
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/04/01 09:55:11
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Usually Navionics is your best bet. New premium cards are over $100, but they don't change a great deal from year to year. You could pick up a 2-3 year old one for considerably cheaper. There are some neat new options for the Great Lakes/offshore, but sounds like you're an inland guy, so Navionics gold or platinum east should fill your needs nicely.
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tull66
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/04/01 11:05:31
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Thanks for all the info, time to go shopping...almost! If I buy a CP/FF combo, will it need its own xducer?
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Bogeyjoker
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RE: fish finder/GPS questions
2011/04/01 11:43:30
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It should come with it unless you're buying used from somebody on Ebay or whatever. If you're asking if you'll need to take your old ducer off to accomodate the new one...There's a fair chance you might not have to depending on what you ultimately end up with, but I would use your new one regardless. Finders have come a long way in the last several years and it's really not a big deal swapping out the new ducer.
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