New GPS/chartplotter time

Well I finally bit the bullet and decided it's time to upgrade the electronics on my boat (idle money in my account and the impending price rises have forced my hand!). The Eagle sounder and Humminbird GPS that came with the boat are gone, in it place is a newly purchased Furuno FCV620 and by the end of next week a new GPS/Chart plotter to stand next to it. I am going with a budget of ~$1000 tops for the new GPS.

 

Have narrowed down my choices to Lowrance (5300Ci) or Garmin (GPSmap 450). Given that I can pick up a 5300Ci for $450 (on sale @ BCF) v $800 for the 450, the Lowrance is slightly in the lead at this stage, plus the 4" v 5" screen. The difference will buy me a Navionics gold card for the whole of Australia. The bluechart card is going to be another $200 or so on top of the Garmin cost.

 

Is there anything patently obvious that I have overlooked? Any other options I should look at in this price bracket?

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                    The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........


PilbaraBrad's picture

Posts: 3628

Date Joined: 16/05/07

i just got a lowrance 7200

Sat, 2008-11-08 19:31

i just got a lowrance 7200 GPS to go next to my LCX37c combo unit, bloody awesome

less than a grand too, 969 i think - Global map 7200
http://www.biasboating.com.au/p-1530-lowrance-globalmap-7200c.aspx

mako magic's picture

Posts: 5785

Date Joined: 03/08/05

yes brad, toppppppppp

Sat, 2008-11-08 17:20

yes brad, toppppppppp unit

The Tackle shack, for all your fishing needs
huge range of stock to suit any fisherperson.
PH:9248 3800 unit 3/11 Alexander drive Malaga

Simon C's picture

Posts: 801

Date Joined: 01/05/07

Yep - got a free upgrade to

Sat, 2008-11-08 21:04

Yep - got a free upgrade to an 8200 when I bought the boat, just had a mate put the 7200 on his new boat as well - great bit of gear,.

Watto069's picture

Posts: 427

Date Joined: 15/01/08

How much are the navonics

Sun, 2008-11-09 11:53

How much are the navonics cards.

So many fishing spots. Not enough sickies!!!!!!!

PilbaraBrad's picture

Posts: 3628

Date Joined: 16/05/07

yeah mako, my sounder gps

Sun, 2008-11-09 12:13

yeah mako, my sounder gps combois an 8.4" screen, but i hate having to hae a split screen for the GPS, hence the reason why i now have the LCX32c purely functioning as a sounder (and backup GPS) and the 7200 GPS, the 7" GPS was the biggest i could fit in my center consol with the other unit, just not enough room or i may have opted for the 8200 as well, just for the bling factor