New sonar/GPS?

[hotrod1]

Im Looking to purchase a new Lawrance sonar/gps and was considering 522c or the X27. What do you guys think about these and should a guy get internal or external antenae for the gps?

Thanks.

[Kidd]

I have the x27 and I love it. I can't comment on the 522c but I would not hesitate to buy one.

Here's a thought, you might want to play around with the idea of buying two 522's and hook them both to the same transducer and GPS module. When using, you could have the depth finder on one and the GPS on the other. The expense of two 522's would be about the same and if one ever went down for some reason, you would still have 1 to use.

[CadCruzer]

I have a 322c that has a 5" screen, I believe that the 522 also has a 5" screen. The screen can get a little small when you split it to use both the gps and sonar. The x27 has a 7" screen that is easier to see when the sceen is split. My unit has a external antenna and I have never had any issues with gps reception. I have heard that the reception on the internal antenna can come and go.

THe x27 cost about $400 more, but In my opinion if I was going to do it again, I would Spend the extra and get the x27.

Hope this helps with your decision

[Spazzums08]

FYI, 522s don't have external GPS modules, they're internal. I'm not sure on the 27, but I'd reccomend external mounts on the bow an console.

1. Because the windshield will interfer with your signal slightly, and you can mount the puck outside/in front of it, so that won't be a problem.

2. Because after tilting the unit 15-20 degrees off the perpendicular (90 degrees/straight up), it starts to affect the signal, and if you're up front you'll probably want it tilted anywhere from slightly to almost flat if you're standing over it.

The 520c is the exact same unit as the 522c, but with an external mount. That's the one I'd go with.

[hotrod1]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Kidd, i thought about getting 2 of the 522's or 520's and doing what you mentioned but i have a crestliner fishhawk and the dash is set up bad and don't leave me room to mount both units.

I picked up the x27 with external antenae.

Is the bow the best place to mount the antenae?

Thanks again for your help.

[canon]

Today I almost bought the 522c, but after realizing the lakemaster chip I was going to purchase with it didn't have info on my favorite lake. I like the price better than the x27, but have to agree it is very nice. I decided to do a little more research on what will work best for what I need. I also heard of some guys buying a depth finder and a handheld for the gps and lake chips, they seem to like that as an option. I guess it is how one feels.

[canon]

For the 522c, does anyone recommend which lake chip get with the unit?

[The Hammer]

It all matters where your fishing. If MN Lakemaster chip.

[LMITOUT]

 Originally Posted By: hotrod1

I picked up the x27 with external antenae.

Is the bow the best place to mount the antenae?

Thanks again for your help.

Anywhere there is a clean view of the sky will work, but I prefer the rear of the boat. I'm guessing it'd probably be easier to run the wiring to the rear than to the bow too. Put it in a spot you think would work and then step back and think a bit about rod holders, where you step into the boat, trolling motors when their stowed and deployed, etc., before drilling the hole and finally mounting the antenna.

[delcecchi]

You might want to note that a 520 without the gps "antenna" is cheaper than the 510, which is a sonar only unit. Very strange pricing policy by lowrance.

[hotrod1]

Thanks LMITOUT. The back of the boat makes sence with the wiring issue and it would be out of the way of everything.

[Kidd]

You're gonna love that x27. I also mount mine on my ATV for ice fishing where I use the GPS function, it's pretty neat.

A couple more things to consider: In my boat I have the unit hooked up to it's own battery for two reasons, first, it eliminates any possibility of interference with any other electronics, like motor, trolling motor and second depth finder (flasher). Secondly, the gps function draws current even when the unit is turned off and it's easy to forget to disconnect the unit all together when you're on a spot or breaking for lunch etc. Put a circuit breaker, or on/off switch to keep the unit from drawing down your battery when not in use.

Good luck.

[Spazzums08]

Delcecchi, how much is the 520 minus antenna?

[mamohr686]

Just for a FYI if you purhase a new lowrance gps unit this spring between 4/10/2008 and 7/7/2008 you can choose a lake chip for free. Go the the lowrance HSOforum and print off a coupon.

Products applicable to this offer:

LMS-520C

LMS-522C iGPS

LMS-525C DF

LMS-527C DF iGPS

LMS-520C without transducer

LMS-520C head unit only

LMS-522C iGPS without transducer

LMS-522C IceMachine™

GlobalMap® 5200C

GlobalMap® 5300C iGPS

Map cards available for this offer:

Your choice of the following lake chip:

Fishing Hot Spots® North

Fishing Hot Spots® East

Fishing Hot Spots® South

Fishing Hot Spots® West

LakeMaster® Pro Maps Michigan

LakeMaster® Pro Maps Minnesota

LakeMaster® Pro Maps Wisconsin

NauticPath™ USA

[canon]

Does anyone know what the best chip is to use for the St.Croix river? If I purchase a new depth finder, I want the chip that works best.

[Sandmannd]

I use the lakmaster on the croix and it works just fine.

[Fishinguy40]

Last fall I bought the 522C which has an internal antenae. The unit worked great except that it would not get any satellite reception regardless of the view. I called Cabelas, where I bought it. They shipped me a new one immediately. The new one had no problems and even gets satellite reception when the boat is in my garage.

[delcecchi]

cabelas appears to be out of them. but they look like about 400 on popular auction site. I forget what they were at the owatonna store, but it was cheaper. seemed strange to me.