Best Radar/Chartplotter/Fishfinder

[Baldzilla 2.0]

Hey guys,
Since I decided not to sell my boat I have decided to add a radar, fishfinder, GPS/Charplotter with an all in one display, to my boat to replace to factory stuff. I'd like to get a pretty good one, that I can add an autopilot to later, but I dont want to pay out the wazoo, but I want something good that will last...any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Mark

[bcronk1001]

Raymarine C series is very resonable and the HD sounder is great.

[little bubba]

Mark,
I for one has never liked the idea of putting all my goods in one basket. You buy a unit that has all these options what is going to happen when one of the options craps out. What if you don't like one part of a three part system. I personally would buy three seperated units.
My 2 cts. worth.
Lbubba

[Marcus]

look at Furuno they have some good sales for combo's and standalone units for the radar if you are looking for birds make sure you get a minimum of 6kw and 4' open array

[27 sailfish]

It's tough to find a good all in one unit.
I second the stand alone equipment.The combos cut down on your screen size.

Furuno for the fishfinder and radar.If you can afford it-Northstar 951 is still a great unit.

Stop in Boater's World in Severna Park-Drew will show you the different units.

BOE is also a good shop to deal with.

[Baldzilla 2.0]

Thanks Guys,
Good to know about the stand alone. I really appreciate the advice. Skip, it was your setup that made me realize I needed a new fishfinder!

If I do get this soon, anyone know a good installer?
Thanks
Mark

[B-Faithful]

My Father runs the Raymarine c80 package. I like my Garmin package much better....

[Phil K]

Don't know where you're located, but these are both good companies to deal with.

Marine Electronics, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia - Mid-Shore Electronics of Cambridge and Ocean City for marine electronics help, installation, training, sales, parts and repairs. (http://www.mid-shore-electronics.com/)

and -

Chesapeake Marine Systems LLC
1650 Marina Dr
Trappe, MD 21673
Phone: (410) 476-3390

[swartj]

I went the middle of the road route when it came to combining features.

IMHO GPS/chartplotter/radar go together (i.e. radar overlay on the chartplotter). I bought a Raymarine C80 for GPS/chartplotter. I will add radar at a later time.

I put in a Furuno 585 for the fish finder.

I get full 8.5" screen functionality for the functions that I use the most at the same time.

I am thinking about autopilot though after fishing with Skip. I found that not everyone can steer a boat in a straight line.:D

[Jerry Grimes]

Depending on where you are going to do most of your fishing you will have to get the right transducer,especially if you are heading to the blue water.

[Seahunter]

Go with the largest mulit-function display that will fit at the helm and then go with black box functionality from there.

I choose to go with a Furuno sounder and a Garmin MFD for everything else. This gives me XM weather, radar, radar overlaid on chart, and the fuel consumption on one large configurable display at a considerable savings over seperate units.

The grip about the Garmin MFD system was the FF and radar were not up to par but Garmin remedied that with the release of a 2KW black box digital sounder and the HD radar package a few months ago.

[CarterCrew]

I like the Garmin units. They're easy to use and Garmin has great customer support. We have the 3210 network with chartplotter and sounder. The 10" display is great and I can add the radar when I want.

Billy (aka "getthenet") does installs. He also works sometimes at Boaters World in Severna Park. Between him and Drew, they can help you fiind what you need.

[Baldzilla 2.0]

Thanks for all the advice, I knew I could count on you guys!
Mark

[rhahn427]

Lowrance ...... Lowrance ........ Lowrance ........

[B-Faithful]

Take your wife/girlfriend to the Charthouse for an early dinner one evening and stop at the BOE Showroom right next door and fool with them all and ask what one gives the lesat amount of trouble, is the most user friendly, offers the best features for the $$$.


(my bet is you get a Garmin)