GPS/Sonar Units

[TCook]

I was looking into getting a sonar/GPS unit for under $500.  What I want in the GPS is chartplotting and WAAS capabilities, and with the sonar I dont know what difference the duel frequency makes or the pros and cons with a built in or external antenna? I was looking at getting the eagle fishelite 480 it is cheap, although it does not have chartplotting capabilities, color screen, or duel frequency.
    Could you guys clue me in as to what would be the best unit under $500 if thats even possible. What features are most important with these units, and what features could I go without?

Thanks for any help, Tim

[MBell]

Lowrance just came out with new model numbers, so the old ones will get cheaper.  The ones your looking for would now be the 500 series which replaced the 300 series.  I bought a 334c new for $500 on ebay last fall, they will be getting cheaper as time goes on.   
-Matt

[JCOOPER]

That unit is a very good recomendation.  I prefer lowrance because it seem so user friendly to me.  I have a hard time using a garmin.  That isnt saying one is better than the other.  The lowrance models to me just seem so much easier to use.  Probably because thats what I learned on.  But I have used several boats with Garmin and I always got where I needed to be.

[1javelin]

As far as the Navionics hotmaps go, what lakes do they cover in Southwest Mich?  Would they cover Muskegon, White, Hardy Dam, etc...?  How about Paw Paw, Magician, St. Joe River, etc...?  Anyone know?

[Genie]

Lowrance is the ONLY way to go.  Much more accurate and easier to use.  Plus, they work with LakeMaster chips and Navionics chips. 

[Revtro]

Ditto on the Lowrance.  Not sure what you mean by chartplotting.  If you mean the ability to manually input waypoints and trails, I believe the Eagle does do this.  The Eagle is very similar to the Lowrance.  In fact, the Eagle is a Lowrance in a different color shell.  Both use the same transducers, etc.  Same menus and ease of use.  But there are a few feature differences between the Fish Elite and the LMS 480.  Do you really need dual freq?  Will you be fishing super deep and need a narrower cone?  I have the LMS 480DF and honestly, for the lakes here in Michigan, I haven't ever needed the deep freq.  I thought it was important to have DF too, but never use it. 

For the money, this might be a good option for you.. the Eagle 500c
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=58278&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

It's $469 retail at BPS.  Just a side note: Check out the LakemasterPro card.  The detail is equal to or superior to the Navionics.  IMO - It's a lot more detailed. 

[TCook]

Thanks guys, as you can see I am new to buying the electronics. Revtro, the eagle fishelite 500c looks perfect, your right i would not need the duel transducer, it has everything I want and its in my price range.  I have two more stupid questions though should I get the internal or external antenna, and where could I get the lakemasterpro card for a cheap price ebay maybe?

Thanks Tim

[huston]

The Eagles and the Lowrances are the same except for a few small points. You can buy a Eagle 480 fishelite for about $ 345.00 I'm sure, I bought mine for that price. The new Navionics Card for East (E2) has much more inland lakes on it for Michigan than last year. Visit the web site and it will list all the lakes it covers. I wanted more lakes in Oakland county and this year it had them. The card is about $100.00 bucks. I"ve got two of the Eagle 480's and two of the cards. I'm good to go. The eagles and Lowrances are easy to navigate with too.

[Revtro]

Tim, the Internal/External antenna question really depends on where the unit will be located in the boat.  If it will be under an obstruction like a bimini top or dark, overhanging windshield, you might want to go with the external.  But if the unit will be located with a fair amount of sky visible, the internal versions will be much easier to install and maintain.  If it's a bass boat, the internal should work out for ya.  What you can try is to borrow a handheld from a friend if you can and put it in your boat where you think you'd install the new unit and see if it gets good sattellite signal.  If it does, then maybe go with an internal.  I guess if it doesn't work out, you could always take it back and switch to the external version.  Check with the dealer you're buying it from just to make sure you can do that. 

The Lakemaster is around $99, not sure if you can get it any cheaper.  Worth a try.  It's worth every penny.

[yukonjack2]

I agree with tom, if the internal works for you thats probably the way to go.  There is a new mounting alterantive I saw recently, if you don't want to drill and cut holes in your boat.   There is a ram mount for the unit, that incluses a spot for the transducer puck as well.

http://www.cabelas.com/hprod-1/0013692.shtml

Very bottom item - IH-018192

The difference in the Eagle and Lowrance are subtle - the shapre and general software menu's are the same, but the screen back lighting and color of the lowrance are definitely better.

Jack

[Skip Johnson]

I have a friend with the built in antenna and he says he loses signal, if you dont want to drill holes in your boat I would get the ram mount with the gps adapter plate it should work fine for you.
also check e bay for lowrance x15c x18c or x19c.
there great color units I have the x18c and had the x15c and loved them both, theyre a few year old model so they may be getting clearenced out somewhere.

[REEL_MAN]

The new Navionics Card for East (E2) has much more inland lakes on it for Michigan than last year.

The new chip is E3. Many of the maps now have 1 ft contours.
Can't go wrong with Lowrance. If you have operation questions or trouble Linde Colt is second to none. She can be reached by e mail or land line. Linda understands the needs of the tournament fishermen and the urgence we have at times. She has always gone above and beyond when I've talked to her.
Service after you buy is the what you need to look at not just price.

REEL MAN

[Revtro]

Wow, this thread sounds a lot like a "Lowrance Admiration Society" gathering.     Makes me want to get my GPS out of the closet and pet it and talk nice to it... "I love you Lowrance GPS" smootch!   

[MBell]

The internal antenna has been fine for me.  You have to make sure the unit has a clear shot of the sky, so you can't flush mount it.  I've been using the handhelds with internal antennas for years without problems. 
-Matt