depth sounder/chartplotter/gps/compass?
- Thread starter rpludwig
- Start date
Okay, some purists may chastise me for this. But the only compass we have on board (other than cellphone apps) is a handheld Davis model, like this:
We broke the bank though (by our standards anyway) on our GPS, and got a Garmin 740s, paid about a grand at the time, which was "cheap" because it was about to be obsolete. No regrets though, we love it.
I think most people are probably going to tell you to just get a large cell phone or tablet, and use that for your GPS rather than a dedicated unit. I'm no expert by any means though. I can say that the $15 Navionics app on my iphone does some things even the Garmin can't, like charts of inland lakes and such.
We broke the bank though (by our standards anyway) on our GPS, and got a Garmin 740s, paid about a grand at the time, which was "cheap" because it was about to be obsolete. No regrets though, we love it.
I think most people are probably going to tell you to just get a large cell phone or tablet, and use that for your GPS rather than a dedicated unit. I'm no expert by any means though. I can say that the $15 Navionics app on my iphone does some things even the Garmin can't, like charts of inland lakes and such.
I agree the Navionics app is great and you can get a transducer to work with it so that's all you'd need, but I like to have my depth and speed on the boat at all times with my navigation handheld. That's personal preference though. So the Garmin for a little over 100 bucks works great because I just use the app for navigating
I was looking at this combo unit for the same requirements.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M...1_8?colid=1BN8GFKHDI7ES&coliid=I1AGXA06GSIVO0
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M...1_8?colid=1BN8GFKHDI7ES&coliid=I1AGXA06GSIVO0
Getting something for these functions, is one of my tasks this spring.
I'm leaning towards a tablet for nav/gps functions and a separate depth unit with it's own display but with NMEA output that could work with the tablet. At least that's the goal.
While a combo unit has it's advantages, I'm not a fan of a single point of failure.
As for a compass, I'd just get a hand bearing compass. Pre GPS, I used it 99% of the time, over a conventional mounted one. It's a puck style one that hangs around my neck, so it was always ready for use. The possibility of losing it overboard makes me want to have a standby.
Of course, the amount of gear you need depends on where you sail.
Many C22 sailors just need a depth finder, if anything. If I was always sailing a lake with line-of-sight navigation, that had a soft bottom, and relatively consistent depth.... I'd not have anything at all. Just like when sailing a dinghy.
I'm leaning towards a tablet for nav/gps functions and a separate depth unit with it's own display but with NMEA output that could work with the tablet. At least that's the goal.
While a combo unit has it's advantages, I'm not a fan of a single point of failure.
As for a compass, I'd just get a hand bearing compass. Pre GPS, I used it 99% of the time, over a conventional mounted one. It's a puck style one that hangs around my neck, so it was always ready for use. The possibility of losing it overboard makes me want to have a standby.
Of course, the amount of gear you need depends on where you sail.
Many C22 sailors just need a depth finder, if anything. If I was always sailing a lake with line-of-sight navigation, that had a soft bottom, and relatively consistent depth.... I'd not have anything at all. Just like when sailing a dinghy.
Well, you guys certainly have enlightened me! Downloaded the Navionics app to I-Pad, here I am walking around the house at a brisk pace of 3.1 knots, heading 179*, 3.1nm to the marina, 70* in the house, and plenty of detail for sure...so that covers the gps/plotter functions for now, add a depth sounder and a compass and good to go for my current use. Prefer a bulkhead mounted compass, but not fond of drilling holes in the boat, especially 3" holes!
Got a recommendation for a waterproof I-Pad case & mount?
Ron
Got a recommendation for a waterproof I-Pad case & mount?
Ron
We use a Lifeproof Nuud case and have been very happy with it. I have a Ram mount for it too, but haven't installed that yet. If you do get a mount, be sure to get the one big enough to hold the iPad in the case you select (don't ask me how I know that).
" If I was always sailing a lake with line-of-sight navigation, that had a soft bottom, and relatively consistent depth.... I'd not have anything at all. Just like when sailing a dinghy."
This is me. I don't even have a battery hooked up...
I overnight in a cove, battery operated lantern....
This is me. I don't even have a battery hooked up...
I overnight in a cove, battery operated lantern....
I have a bulkhead mounted compass (Mini-Contest 101) and that's it for now. For San Diego Bay and Mission Bay its all line of sight anyway and good depth everywhere as long as you observe the nav aides. GPS could be handy at night so I'll just use a smartphone Ap for that. If I start sailing to Catalina Island then I will consider something more substantial.
After using a Lowrance Hook 4 for a few years, it died. After much research we upgraded to a new Lowrance Elite 5 HDI with downscan imagery as well as standard 200/80 sonar. Price was less than $300. 5 inch screen, GPS, map overlays, and nice images of bottom and bottom dwellers (creatures and objects, not politicians !!). Looks great, easy to use. Might also identify fish below the hull as well but our general experience is that these fish see the fin under the hull and think "hmmm, that is one big predator" and run/swim away very fast. We like the unit.
Oh man, we have researched the heck out of this, too.
Finally decided on a Raymarine Dragonfly 5 Pro. It offers pretty incredible CHIRP sonar, and Navionics charts. It comes in three screen sizes (4", 5", or 7") and cost about $275, $375, and $475, respectively. Those prices fluctuate a lot on amazon, so you might be able to get it for less.
Still waiting for it to arrive and I'll let you know how it goes!
Finally decided on a Raymarine Dragonfly 5 Pro. It offers pretty incredible CHIRP sonar, and Navionics charts. It comes in three screen sizes (4", 5", or 7") and cost about $275, $375, and $475, respectively. Those prices fluctuate a lot on amazon, so you might be able to get it for less.
Still waiting for it to arrive and I'll let you know how it goes!
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/garm...5JuI7De5dRkJ-qma1g8LiHQzBD9S0M5-wYaAunX8P8HAQ
Garmin 43dv. Excellent (17000+) lake maps are pre-loaded and we find them to be very accurate and detailed. at $199 I don't know how you could beat it bang for the buck. we love ours.
Garmin 43dv. Excellent (17000+) lake maps are pre-loaded and we find them to be very accurate and detailed. at $199 I don't know how you could beat it bang for the buck. we love ours.
RussC thatlooks great, and free shipping from WM too. Can you check Lake Guntersville Alabama and let me know if it has details there? We will be local for most of the year but could be going up river to Chattanooga in the fall. I'll get one but don't want to be stuck buying more maps.
Hey George - did you get the Dragonfly to work? I received one as a gift, but did not know how to best mount the transducer. I tried to use the "toilet ring" approach, but that didn't work. I am interested in hearing how you did it. Thanks! Kevin
There can be no air under the transducer. Push the transducer into the wax not the center portion.