What would you guys suggest?

Do Over

Do Over

Member
Aug 9, 2014
981
Lake of the Ozarks
Boat Info
2002 340DA
Engines
8.1 Horizons
I don't have any kind of electronics on my boat (besides the VHF).......at some point I'd like to install some kind of chart plotter or something that doesn't require a transducer.....just something that I can use (probably more at night) to go to places on the Lake......is that possible? Does everything that you would use require some kind of antenna on the arch or is that just for sonar and such? I don't want a fish finder and don't need a depth sounder (have that)......I'd also like to keep it around a boat buck or less but don't want something with a 5" screen.....is there anything out there that will do this?

thanks
 
This is kinda a solution, do you own an IPad with a good WIFI connection?

My plotter bit the dust last year so I use my IPad with the Navonics program. It has a few drawbacks and I still use my chart book to double check things.
 
dwna1a said:
This is kinda a solution, do you own an IPad with a good WIFI connection?

My plotter bit the dust last year so I use my IPad with the Navonics program. It has a few drawbacks and I still use my chart book to double check things.
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I have an Ipad but no data plan to get wifi away from a hard source......I'm using an Garmin Etrex now but would like something that's larger and fills the area on the helm that was designed for it.
 
you dont need a data plan - the data enabled ipads receive the gps signal without a plan - just download the app and you can use it without a connection - a word of caution - you cant view the screen in direct light and in they can heat up and shut down (leaving you with no electronic "eyes") - we use it as a backup to our aging c70......of course we still carry paper charts too and plot our location/heading on long trips.
 
I'm not interested in using my IPad to do this......I'm wondering about a unit I can install in the boat...thanks tho.
 
I haven't looked in a while but by the time you get the inland lakes charts, $1000 probably won't get you more than a 5" screen unless you buy used from EBay or whatever.

Have you priced anything from Jim's site?
 
mwph said:
I haven't looked in a while but by the time you get the inland lakes charts, $1000 probably won't get you more than a 5" screen unless you buy used from EBay or whatever.

Have you priced anything from Jim's site?
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Ive looked on the site some....that's what I'm afraid of....I really can't believe they're as expensive as they are
 
I would just get a used chart plotter fish finder off ebay sold without a tranducer and just run it without installing a ducer to use the charting option. Should be able to do that fairly cheaply and if by chance you ever wanted to use the depth finding aspect of it all you need to do is buy the transducer.
 
Hard to beat that Lowrance but with no antenna and the wrong card for your area. Add to that the risk(s) and the additional needed purchases. Plus how confident are you dealing with possible issues of setting up a used piece of equipment.

Like Dennis & I suggested, check with Jim you may not get a 10 inch screen but you will have everything you need, right out of the box.

That Lowrance is nice looking though.
 
Well you know you can get chart plotters and also use depth transducers without having one which goes through the hull, no drilling. At one time I had a Raymarine A50D (cost was around $1,000.00 at the time, 2009) which had an internal GPS and used the same type depth transducer. (it came with the unit) I am referring to. They have since upgraded their product line E7 or something, I would imagine Garmin and other would have the same.
 
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I couldn't find which chip, if any it had. I'm pretty sure you will need the "inland lakes" chip for your area. Easy enough to source, as is the missing power cord. Find & price the chip on Jim's site & add that cost in & you'll still have a nice unit under your price point. I knew that EBay would be your friend if you needed >5" for under $1k.
 
How 'bout a $99 handheld GPS and a paper chart for your lake (if they make it). There would be ZERO installation needed and you would only be pulling it out when needed. Since you probably only need it once in a great while to find your way home, the handheld would be more than up to the task. As an added bonus, you could take the GPS on a hiking trip or use it for geocaching. Paper charting is not hard and I actually find it fun/satisfying. Heck, if you're lost but have at least some visibility, you can do it with just your compass and chart.
 
That's what I'm gonna do first to see how it works out.......I just got a Garmin Etrex 20 for Christmas my wife...just feeling out my options if these old eyes have an issue with that small screen :grin:

thanks
 
Nice little toy! I "think" that most of them have an option for different screen views and one of those views is usually 'just' the lat/long which then makes the numbers easier to read.

Even if you can't find a paper chart, you can do the bread-crumb thing and even create waypoints (and eventually routes) for reference. Set up a few waypoints/routes and you're all set.

Well, either way, good luck with whatever your decide. Those little GPS's actually pack quite a punch and an amazing amount of features/usability for the price. I once went from NYC to Maine on a 29' Pearson. We had a GPS (it was the Magellan model that was used in Desert Storm), but I don't think I used it more than a half-dozen times over the 7 day trip. And that GPS ONLY gave lat/long -- no bread crumbs, no routes, no motor cars, not a single luxury. You can really do quite a lot with the basics, if you spend some time getting acquainted with it and get comfortable using it.
 
So my Sea Ray 300 Weekender came with a big old Garmin 2010C without a software chip. Yes great device if all you need to know is your on the east coast. I plan on using it as a spare anchor if the need arises. My other boat has a Lowrance GPS/Sonar unit with the Navionics Coastal card in it. The screen is really small to start with and when using it in duel sonar/navigation mode the screen is even smaller.
Now with all that said lets fire up some Rants. I'm using a Samsung S4 and a 10 inch Droid Tablet as auxiliary GPS's. Both devices have the latest Google Play Navionics program downloaded on them. What that means is the Droid Tablet does not need to be linked with Wi-Fi or a cellular signal to display maps "like Google maps". and both have great GPS antennas built into them. I cannot speak for those who are located on inland lakes, but I use the US Coastal and Canada version primarily to navigate in the Mideast Atlantic coastal region "It ROCKS" I think I paid $30 for the HD version and downloaded it onto both devices.
OK I know an internal antenna can not be as good as one of the externals. I would consider this a problem if either device where dropping the signal more than the Lowrance.
Yes dedicated gear is great but it don't hurt to have plan B "droid tablet" and plan C "Samsung Droid Phone" in addition to my Garmin "soon to be aux anchor" Marine GPS.
and last but not least, a Droid device is hard to read in the glaring sun. That is for sure. but I use them mostly during low light situations when I need a really detailed gps chart.
I can not tell users enough about the benefits of the Navionics tide buoys and all the other features built into this program. And last but not least. when your out on someone else s boat a phone with a full marine navigation program loaded on it can not be a bad thing to have in your pocket. I'm looking forward to reading comments and rants about this post!
 
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