chartplotter for 17' novi cc with oversize console

[BOSBoatMan]

Can someone please recommend a 7" display unit with an internal antenna for a seventeen foot boat with an oversize center console.

I'd like to be able to do a split screen between fishfinder and GPS.

And of course, I'd like it come with everything. Transducer, flush mount kit, antenna, unit cover, etc etc AND be under 600-800 American

And I know some of you chaps HATE THE GARMINS so advice is appreciated!

Another note. it will be left on the boat and there's a mild chance it could be stolen. Would you guys recommend going ultra cheap and see how that works out?

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

look at the raymarine

 

[BOSBoatMan]

Thanks Tuna i'll go to the show tomorrow want to pound someone else's keys before I buy if you get my drift. Do you have a model in particular that you have or have used?

 

[BunkerMan]

Garmin

Go with a garmin 541s cheep and all ur looking for !!

 

[El Mar]

I like garmin.

I have the 541s and just got the 740s with radar at the end of the season. You would do fine with either.

Garmins are like Macs. They work. No problems. Point and click on what you want.

 

[MouseTrap]

The inexpensive Garmins are the way to go for a small plug and play recreational user. Lots of bang for the $. Very easy to use.

The guys who don't like Garmin (call them toys) when comparing them to Raymarine / Furuno for commercial use.

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

Thanks Tuna i'll go to the show tomorrow want to pound someone else's keys before I buy if you get my drift. Do you have a model in particular that you have or have used?

Raymarine has a booth at the show. Check out the dragonfly. It's smaller than 7" but it is a chirp sounder, optional plotter including the ducer for $650. Since FLIR bought them they are coming back.

 

[BOSBoatMan]

LOL @El Mar you're on the fringe here with the Macs and the Parker.

@Tuna thanks for the tip, I'll be looking for that this afternoon.

And thanks guys for the advice.

 

[El Mar]

Forward thinker I guess.

I just like to use things that work.

 

[bglhooked]

I have had a garmin 440sx for a few years now and love it. Internanal antenna, transom transducer and no problems. I had it on my 19' on top of the console and it held up great. There are a few for sale on Craigslist in new haven. Might be able to save a few bucks.

 

[Raider Ronnie]

I run my buddie's Hydrasport 2900 CC a good amount when not on my boat.
He has twin Raymarine C120s.
Like the radar a lot, the sounder is very good (though the DSM boxes have constant problems, as do plenty of other people I know that have Raymarine DSMs)
Hate the chartplotter.
I have 3 Garmin plotters. Love them. Have a 2006 with a gsd20 box in the tower. The older Garmin gsd sounders were nothing great. The newer 24 & 26 chips I'm told is awesome, some electronic guys love the gsd 26 over Furuno's current technology.

 

[wiggy]

Raymarine has a booth at the show. Check out the dragonfly. It's smaller than 7" but it is a chirp sounder, optional plotter including the ducer for $650. Since FLIR bought them they are coming back.

The dragonfly looks like an awesome unit for the money. I'm also not a big fan of garmin so there could be one of these in my future.

 

[Del]

Raymarine has a booth at the show. Check out the dragonfly. It's smaller than 7" but it is a chirp sounder, optional plotter including the ducer for $650. Since FLIR bought them they are coming back.

...and from what I've read, the Dragonfly is designed be removed easily or locked-in with an optional Thule lock.

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

...and from what I've read, the Dragonfly is designed be removed easily or locked-in with an optional Thule lock.

And the ducer is a transom mount, not thru hull so that can go with it because as you know right now these CHIRP ducers are big money. The amazing thing about the demo was in a certain mode the bottom looked like a monchrome photograph, never saw anything like it. Looking forward to the CHIRP technology being affordable.

 

[BOSBoatMan]

Okay I was talking to guy at boat show about the Garmin 740.

He was saying do a through hull transducer installed by them instead of a transom mount. Said it would give better readings become a part of the boat etc etc

It was 1000 for the unit, 269 for the transducer, plus installation (not sure how much on that).

The next generation's coming along the corner in a few months from what I understand do you think they will cut the cost on this generation substantially in the months to come? Would you go this route or do you think its too much dough?

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

Okay I was talking to guy at boat show about the Garmin 740.

He was saying do a through hull transducer installed by them instead of a transom mount. Said it would give better readings become a part of the boat etc etc

It was 1000 for the unit, 269 for the transducer, plus installation (not sure how much on that).

The next generation's coming along the corner in a few months from what I understand do you think they will cut the cost on this generation substantially in the months to come? Would you go this route or do you think its too much dough?

I think it will be years before the CHIRP comes down. Have you talked to Chris AKA Wharfrat. I got some great deals from him and he knows all these units inside & out.

 

[BOSBoatMan]

I sent him a note a month or so ago asking what he recommended he never got back to him. Maybe I got lost in the shuffle, I'll send him a PM. Thanks @tuna.

 

[Bill_N]

I would not do a through hull on a 17 footer. Some of these sales guys are stupid..

 

[BOSBoatMan]

Mind telling me why?

 

[Bill_N]

It's going to be a lot more money including installation and I'll go out on a limb and say you don't need it. You started out saying you wanted to spend 600-800 all incl. That and a handheld VHF would be about all I think you need on a 17 footer.

I've had good results with transom mount transducers bottom fishing in the Gulf of Maine (up to 400'). Most guys install a through hull transducer for more power which equals better depth readings in deep water. But you have to cut a big hole in your boat which most of us don't like doing. And if you trailer like you might with a 17 footer then you could run your transducer up on a roller or bunk and maybe loosen it up, starting a leak.

I'd stick with your original plan. The 541S would be a really nice unit in a 17 footer.