Help me decide? Sonar/GPS?

[carlcmc]

I'm purchasing a used 20' pontoon boat this weekend. This is my first boat. I have never owned a boat or fishfinder.

I *think* I would like a sonar/gps unit combo. I looked at a variety and two that are standing out so far to me are:

1) Lowrance M68C Sonar/GPS Unit
Item: IE-016635
Price: $399.00

2)Lowrance LMS 330c Sonar/GPS Unit
Item: IE-016604
Price: $649.00

I will be fishing mainly small lakes with the occasion trip to gull/mississippi/lake of the ozarks etc.

I'm really attracted to the vibrant color and the idea of built in maps. I don't think I can reasonably afford or justify the 1K + price for some of the higher end units.

For a new boat owner and someone new to a fishfinder/gps setup do you have any thoughts? Will I be able to mount this on a pontoon boat (where would be the best place)?

One big concern is do these come ready for gps out of hte box or do you typically have to buy something else (an antenna or something?) to make the gps work?

[minneman]

personaly, I'd go with a handheld gps, you get locked into where your boat can go, to use the combos. lowrance gets my vote too.

most newer pontoons have a place on the rear of the pontoons to mount a ducer.

[WaveWacker]

I would recommend the Lowrance products. I have a LCX15-MT and love it. For your needs I would say that the "lower end" units would be fine. When I purchased mine I also got an accesory package along with it that had the GPS antenna. After installation there was a quick initialization process that I ran through and BINGO, your ready to go. I would say that you will be mounting the unit and the antenna (which is the size of a hockey puck) to the top of the dash on your pontoon. Good Luck!!

[carlcmc]

i appreaciate the reply. As far as mounting, I guess I was meaning where should the transducer be mounted? The boat is up out of the water and the pontoons are what are actually in the water. One wouldnt want to drill holes in the 'toons would they!=)

Just not sure in that regard.

[Mykal]

Carlcmc, one more thing to consider is the with a combo unit, if it goes down on you, it will take out your gps and your sonar. I would recommend 2 separate units, One gps and one sonar at the minumum. You can get an extra station and transducer/power cord ad rig it to another loacation on the boat and move the locater without having to buy another unit if you are looking to cut costs. Basically, take the time to decide what you really need and what you can afford.

[Dan Wood]

I recommend two separate units as well if funds allow. It is a bit of a pain switching back and forth from GPS to sonar when your cruising. The split screen really is too small for my liking even the largest units (I have the X-15).

For gps I'd look for a large screen and lake map capability. Lowrance has some good stuff.

[Guest]

I'd suggest a GPS with a Plotting feature and a flasher versus the graph, like a Vex and a high-speed ducer.

Nothing beats the real-time feedback and ability to see the fish as lines off the bottom like a flasher does.

Graphs have computer chips that draw pictures of fish (that may not be fish at all) and flashers don't lie--just ask the Ice Fisherman who use flashers all winter

Also, the safety of the flasher showing you how deep you are can save you from running into water hazards--the graph is slow and takes a long time to "Paint" the screen.

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Chells

[Jimmy]

If you want a good sonar/gps 4 seasons in Red wing has a sale on the Lawrance X-15 for $699. Hard to beat that price!

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Jimmy