On Thu, 27 May 2004 08:09:17 GMT, Daniel wrote:

I am sure that this has already been done but new models are constantly
being produced so... why not?
Your experience is very appreciated regarding:
1) screen dimension
2) Color or B/W
3) speed of screen refreshing
4) different cartographic systems/media
5) reliability
...
all points vs price, of course.

Thanks
Daniel

I currnetly have two - a Garmin 168 combo unit and a Bottom Line 1200 fish
finder. The Garmin is in a small runabout and provides GPS and navigation
information along with bottom soundings. The Bottom Line is battery
operated and provides a normal down transducer along with a pointable side
shooting transducer.

The Garmin is a decent unit, but suffers, as do most from poor readability
in direct sunlight. If I shield it, it is a bit better, but it still
suffers from poor contrast as do most units. The GPS section is pretty
good and the navigation information is actually rather good - you can buy
CDROMs and program the unit from them. Since, I think, all GPS units
provide you with location coordinates, you can plot your course on a chart
if you feel more comfortable doing so. I differ from Dennis, in that I
don't think the wheel is a place where you need a large screen - I think a
pilot needs to keep his eyes ahead and use bottom & nav info as an aid
only. Bear in mind, my current little boat is a jet boat with 12" draft
and no screw, so I can set a warning on the Garmin at 3' and not worry too
much about it. If there were underwater hazards, I'd probably ride right
over them without sustaining a lot of damage, although I try to be careful.


For fishing, nothing beats a side shooter. That little unit is really
amazing - you can point it where you want to cast and it tells you if there
are any fish there. The display has poor contrast in direct sunlight, but
it's usable.

If I ever get a larger boat, I'll probably replace the Garmin, but I don't
think color is as important as is legibility and contrast. Whichever unit
is easiest to read without reflections and in direct sunlight, that's what
I'll get. I couldn't see the screen on the Garmin before I bought it, but
I will the next one.
--

Larry
email is rapp at lmr dot com