School me on gps/depthgauges/chartplotters

[BlkGS]

My boat has a Garmin unit of some sort on it, I assume it's a GPS. I don't know, it hasn't worked since I've owned the boat. Never been a huge issue for me, I boat on a smaller lake I know well enough to not get lost. Now I'm moving to FL, so I figure that a GPS would be a good thing to have. At the same time, my factory depth gauge stopped working, so it feels like a good time to replace it and see that can be done as a combo.

So I need an idiot level guidance on this. I see chart plotters and fish finders and all sorts of stuff. I know my limitations, I'm not gonna be going way offshore, maybe a Bimini run with a group, but I expect mostly sandbars and such. I don't Need a fish finder. I'm not opposed, but I doubt it will help me catch anything. I'd like something that would fit in the right corner of my windshield on my Sx230, and look nice mounted there.

Any advice on where to start is greatly appreciated.

 

[Dean P]

Hi! Which Garmin unit do you have? How old is it? I have a Garmin as well which I use every time I go out on the boat. I never leave home without it! They're great to have especially if you go out (or come back) in the dark. Just follow the pink line.

You're factory unit depth finder probably has an in-hull transducer mounted in the engine compartment. If you locate it, twist and lift it off the base. You may find all the fluid has evaporated. You can add about 1/2 cup of antifreeze and it might start working again. They will not work without fluid in there.

Take pictures of what you have and where you'd like to place it. That'll help.

 

[Dean P]

Forgot to ask, what part of Florida are you moving to?

 

[BlkGS]

Space coast area, not exactly sure where yet. Merritt Island seems like a front runner, I will be working in Melbourne. I grew up in west palm area, seems like the space coast is like there when I was a kid in the 90s.

 

[biglar155]

My advice: Whatever you decide, make the screen big enough. I boat on inland lakes so I got a GPS/Depth unit with a small screen for ease of finding a mounting location.

Well, years go by faster than you expect. With age comes wisdom - and poor eyesight. Those small screens get smaller every year.

 

[Dean P]

My advice: Whatever you decide, make the screen big enough. I boat on inland lakes so I got a GPS/Depth unit with a small screen for ease of finding a mounting location.

Well, years go by faster than you expect. With age comes wisdom - and poor eyesight. Those small screens get smaller every year.

I really like the touch screen units. So much easier and faster to move around.

 

[BlkGS]

What's the functionality of the chart plotter? Is it just gps plus a library of depths? Is that something even needed with a 2 foot draughts?

Besides screen size, any other features worth the cost?

 

[Dean P]

What's the functionality of the chart plotter? Is it just gps plus a library of depths? Is that something even needed with a 2 foot draughts?

Besides screen size, any other features worth the cost?

It's nice to plot a course and follow a known/safe path to your destination. In rough weather (which can come up on you very quickly) it's nice to find your way back without the worry shallow water. We have tides here. This mean the depths are changing. The charts are depicted at MLT. But they can go lower AND over time the sand shift.

What's your budget?

 

[Seadeals]

I definitely like to have both GPS (maps) and sonar. As @Dean P said, sands shift and even keeping the latest map updates doesn’t protect you from that; but watching the sonar plot of the bottom can easily warn you of approaching shallows and help you find and stay in channels. Our dash configs are different; but I used the hole for the crappy stock depth finder with a voltmeter (on far left). It is really handy to monitor the electrical situation. Mine is also the smallest (and cheapest) option at 4 inches of display. It absolutely gets the job done; but requires a good deal of scrolling for true situational awareness. One other thing to consider is the transducer (or it’s connector). If not using through the hull, my transom mount preference required making a bigger hole in the transom to pass the cable through. No biggie, but you don’t want to mess it up.

 

[Julian]

What I looked for in my 3rd GPS:

• Large screen size
• Touch screen
• Deep depth capability

I ended up with a Garmin 94SV. A 74 model would probably be ok for most people. Fish finding transducer was critical to me, but you can buy these with and without a transducer, and with a broad range of transducer types. Having a fish finder literally allows one to drop right onto fish vs blindly casting or jigging where there are no fish. Makes a huge difference.

 

[BlkGS]

What I looked for in my 3rd GPS:

• Large screen size
• Touch screen
• Deep depth capability

I ended up with a Garmin 94SV. A 74 model would probably be ok for most people. Fish finding transducer was critical to me, but you can buy these with and without a transducer, and with a broad range of transducer types. Having a fish finder literally allows one to drop right onto fish vs blindly casting or jigging where there are no fish. Makes a huge difference.

What's the difference between the two models? Screen size?

I think I'd spend up to a grand on it, if it was really worthwhile. I figure that's cheaper than being lost at sea.

 

[Julian]

What's the difference between the two models? Screen size?

I think I'd spend up to a grand on it, if it was really worthwhile. I figure that's cheaper than being lost at sea.

Yup.....only difference is the screen size. Gpsstore is a good place to compare them.

 

[tdonoughue]

Here is my Garmin saga: https://jetboaters.net/threads/garmin-striker-plus-9sv-on-an-ar240.21395/

I think @Julian gave you the whole rundown, basically. Lots of different boxes with different combinations of features and different costs...

 

[marcham]

If you just want maps and depth contours, how about a smartphone? Navionics boating HD for android is about $20 per year.

 

[tdonoughue]

Or an old iPad. Lots of options on that front. I used my phone for years before my brother got me this plotter...