GPS AND fishfinder or combo?

[Wade Joseph]

I am in the market for a gps with the map for contour lines and such, wondering if I should go with a GPS unit and a seperate fish finder or a combination unit.

[Kyle Sandberg]

I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I have a H2O and a depth finder side by side in my boat and like it a lot. If I want, I can bring the GPS with me in the boat.

[PerchJerker]

I have one sonar and two combo units in my boat. I prefer to use them as full screen units, ie. either just sonar or just gps, although at times I run split screen sonar and gps. The split screen works fine and you can resize the windows, but it's really, really easy to get spoiled by looking at the bigger full-screen display.

This wasn't as much of an issue in the old days when the gps and plotters were just info readouts or a plotter display, but it is a much bigger issue now with mapping gps units and map chips that show all those contours and other details. Now, the bigger display you have for the gps, the better.

My advice - if it's in your budget, and if you think you want separate units for bigger displays, I would go that route now .....if you don't, you'll be kicking yourself later.

[waskawood]

If it was only so easy. I have been asking myself that question for 2 years. I now have seperate units and like it very well because of the size issue. That being said, I am contimplating getting a combo unit also. I want to record chart data and that can only be done with the combo. With chart data I can play it back at a later time on my computer and see if I missed any important spots. I can also export that data into other programs to make my own contour maps. Is it necessaryt? No. But it gives me something to do when the wind blows. I think you have to analyze your own situation and decide what is best for you and what is within your budget. Good luck with your decision.

[boatfixer]

If you can afford separate units, then go that route. I agree with the others, the full screen is nice. A nice combo is the lowrance 552, if you choose that way.

[AaronM]

Whatever you get, I'm sure you'll be happy with it. I have the seperate GPS and depthfinder (Etrex Legend and Eagle 480) and both do the job nicely. The technology is getting so good now, that it's hard to screw up a new electronic purchase. Whatever you decide, good luck!

[harvey lee]

I have a 522c by the counsel and another Lowrance 67c up front by the unit. Along with that unit up front, I also have my H20 which then can serve double duty in my truck, or 4-wheeler ice fishing. This works out great and maybe saves a few clams.

[Big Julie]

get as much as you can afford, you won't be sorry.