Chartplotter/FF Recommendations?

[NachoLibre]

My new boat (Sea Chaser 2400 CC) came with a Garmin 198c, which I definitely want to replace for a unit with a larger screen that can be flushmounted.

I've used a Garmin 498c with an internal antenna and have been happy with it--ease of use, clarity, etc. Does anyone have any recommendations for something with a screen larger than 6" to use on the bay?

Thanks in advance.

[Balt.Pursuit]

I'd stay with Garmin...the commands are most likely similar to what you have now........I have a 10.4" Lowrance.......and the screen is great....you will like a big screen.............If you have the space, Raymarine makes a 12" screen I believe.

[Seahunter]

Garmin makes an 8" (4208/5208), 12"(4212/5212) and a 15" (5215) unit.
The 4XXX has the traditonal push button inteface while the the 5XXX has touch screens.

[Hatt Trick]

I'd recommend the Lowrance. I like their FF better than Garmin and their GPS is similar to Garmin. Lowrance has a more attractive price tag too.

[NachoLibre]

I've been searching online for the past few hours and I'm even more confused now. I'm looking for a good GPS/fishfinder with a screen larger than 6". The problem is that all the units with large screens seem to have all the networking stuff as part of the package. I specifically like the Garmin 4212. How usable is the marine weather/sonar stuff? Is there a montly fee associated with those services? Do I need to have a sonar setup for the fishfinder, or can I just use it "out of the box"? Am I an idiot for spending that kind of $ just for a gps/ff with a big screen? I think my brain is short-circuiting!

[B-Faithful]

I love my Garmin 3010c. If I were to get another boat, I would put garmin on it. I like it a lot better than my father's Raymarine c80 package

[Seahunter]

Most of your large displays are multi-function units. You can buy as little or as much functionality as you wish.

The big Garmins come with GPS and maps and that's it. If you want radar, sonar, weather, etc. you have to buy the black boxes that go with the display.

If you’re a fool for spending that kind of money for a GPS/FF then I'm an idiot. I use mine for GPS and bought an equally expensive Furuno fish finder. :thumbup:

BTW: The XM weather subscription will set you back about $30 a month

[Capt. John Deering]

raymarine c-80 or 120. top notch tech help...i think the recreational warranty is 2 years.

or go with the e series for bells and whittles, both are digital fish finders. i use the p66 transom mount transducer, holds bottom under way. go play with the buttons at west marine in annapolis.

[swartj]

I also have a Raymarine C-80 and have been very pleased with it. I believe the FF unit for the C-80 plugs directly into the C-80. You can get their manuals off the Raymarine website. I wanted my FF separate so I paired it with a Furuno 585. Both screens are big to be seen easily.