Raymarine & Lowrance - Which way should I go?

[haydenj]

I have just ordered a boat that arrives in december. I need an electronics setup for it, I have never really used electronics before. the boat is a 23ft boat that I plan to use in Sydney harbour and offshore, with the occasional trip up to Port Stephens, Seal Rocks and Hamilton Is.

I would like to get GPS, Sonar and possibly radar. I would also like to be able to see the current breaks overlaid on the mapping. I would also like to go for a 10-12 inch screen. I saw something like this on the video "StrikeZone".

Can anyone recommend what system I should go for?
What should my budget be for good value?
I will be mooring the boat in the harbour...has anyone heard about left of these sort of electronics when flush mounted? Apparently they are quite difficult to remove without wrecking them.

thanks

HJB

[xtosea]

Go Furuno, either the FCV-585 or FCV-620, they are both generally the same unit, but the 585 has 1KW transducer, and the 620 has 600W. Definitely go with one of these over the other ones. It does not matter so much about Chartplotters or Sonar, but for a sounder go with Furuno, Koden if you can spend the extra dollars!
Chartplotters can be from anywhere, they are all generally good, just need the C-Map program for them.
As for Sonar i would go with Furuno also.
These are some links to the above and others;

FCV-585 (http://www.taylormarine.com.au/main.cfm?page=productdetail&pid=442&brandid=1&catid=9&section=Electronics)

FCV-620 (http://www.taylormarine.com.au/main.cfm?page=productdetail&pid=441&brandid=1&catid=9&section=Electronics)

GP-7000 (http://www.taylormarine.com.au/main.cfm?page=productdetail&pid=352&brandid=1&catid=10&section=Electronics) Chartplotter

CSR-83 (http://www.taylormarine.com.au/main.cfm?page=productdetail&pid=176&brandid=1&catid=13&section=Electronics) Sonar

All the best with it
Kamil

[beats]

Sounds like your mind is made up on a 10-12" screen, so between the 2 you have mentioned Lowrance is the brand that offers you what you are after. The LCX-112C or 113C HD Sonar/GPS Chartplotter Combo's sound like they should be the 1 your after & it's also radar compatible so basically 3 units in 1.
Some people don't like an all in 1 unit in case 1 system becomes faulty, but when you add the costs of all 3 units it can blow out massivly. So an all in 1 becomes very attractive cost wise & doesn't take up every bit of available room on you dash.
http://www.lowrance.com.au/home/sonar_gps/lcx_112c
The Rec Retail price for the lcx 112c $4,453 + map & radar.
but shop around you never know!
PS: Lowrance also offer radar function on there smaller units also!
Bets of luck with it.

DO NOT LEAVE IT IN YOUR BOAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sydfish]

The Furuno models Kamil mentioned are good. The 585 is on special for $1100 at certain places. Furuno is really a commercial sounder for the rec market. The boys at the sportsfishing comps in QLD swear that people with furunos find fish that all other brands pass by.
The plotter can be any number of brands but I would recomend a brand that uses navionics maps over the c-map, I have owned both in the past year and the c-map is lacking in a major way. Detail is shocking and the map dissapears when you zoom in to close. Also get a plotter that tackes a sd card so you can put in the marks on a computer. The adapter kit for my navman I just purchased caos over 300 bucks and is crap, so crap I use the unit to enter marks. My advice dont buy a navman, whilst they are accurate, as are most others they suck to use in comparson to other brands. If any one wants mine its the latest 5in model, cost me 1400 plus 400 for the east aus card, will sell for 1000.

[beats]

hahahahahahhahhaa! bag the crap outa ya plotter & then try & sell it in the same thread, I like your style man but may find it tough to sell in this post i think.:idiot: :rolling laughter:

[sydfish]

Gotta try it beats, I hate it but Im stuck with it, on the same subject I have a humminbird matrix 97 with all the accesories, the base model is still 1900, but i upgreaded transducer and weather sense, great in the fresh and estuaries, sucked in 40m+ and 20miles of the coast(GPS bit). Will part with it for 1000. Offshore it got the name of lyrebird

[Dog Catcher]

[quote=sydfish]The Furuno models Kamil mentioned are good. The 585 is on special for $1100 at certain places. quote]

Tell you what you're doing well if you can get the 585 for that price also bear in mind the transducer is not included in the package on that model sounder think you may have got the models mixed up ??

I only recently purchased one & the transducer was around the $1000 mark I didn't pay that but just to give you an idea mind you I got the 1,000 Watt & not the 600 Watt.

Took some pics for someone a few trips back in deep water

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/3599/ssno7.jpg