Questions & Answers

While the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and personal needs, we offer unbiased opinions using only facts to get you the information you need to make a tough decision. 

Question: What is a Fishfinder GPS? Dave M.

Answer:  A Fishfinder GPS is what is commonly referred to as a Combo unit for a boat.   It contains a Marine GPS to show navigation and boat position, as well as a built-in sonar system for depoth and fishfinding. Both wil show up on the screen at the same time in split screen mode, or they can be viewed one at a time in full screen mode. 

Question: What is Livescope?  Jake S.

Answer:  Livescope is a technology from Garmin that shows live sonar under and around the boat. Instead of showing a historical view of what was under the boat, it shows a real time view of what is under the boat. It is offered with either a thru-hull transducer option, or transom mount.   This technology only worls on Garmin units equipped to handle Livescope. 

Question: What is a Fish Finder? Walker E.

Answer: A fishfinder is a device used on a boat to scan the water below the boat for objects and fish. It uses a sonar ping to send a signal downward, then listens back for the signal. This creates am image on the fishfinder screen to show depth, obstructions, and fish. Fishfnders are very commonly used by fishermen to locate fish. They are rated by their transmitting power and screen size. The common sizes are 600W for smaller boats in shallower water. 1kW for larger boats in deep water. All the way up to 3kW for commercial boats. Screen sizes vary from tiny 4" screens up to huge 16" screens. Fishfinders start around $200 and can go into the thousands.

Error filtering template: Element with ID 'widget.products.list.pager' already exists.

Error filtering template: Element with ID 'widget.products.list.pager' already exists.

Error filtering template: Element with ID 'widget.products.list.pager' already exists.

Question: What is the best chartplotter - John A.

Answer: The best marine chartplotter is the one that most closely fills your needs.  You will need to determine how much you want to spend.  What size screen you can fit.  If you want touchscreen or buttons.  If you need wireless connectivity. If you ever want to add radar. If you want a sonar built in. If you need freshwater maps, coastal maps or both. If you want NMEA 2000 integration.  Once you answer all of those questions you will really narrow down your choices. What most people find is that Garmin has the easiest to use chartplotters if your needs are simply limited to having a chartplotter.  They offer auto-guidance and have color screens. Their touchscreens make things even easier with naming waypoints and creating routes.  Chartplotters range in price from $500 for a basic unit that has a 5 inch screen up to thousands of dollars

Question: What are the top 5 chartplotters - Paul T

Answer: Here are our Top 5 Chartplotters based on popularity.  The Garmin 942XS is the best value.  Easy to use charting on a beautiful 9" colors touchscreen.  The 2nd best is the Simrad NSS12 Evo3S. Their newest, it has eaasy tpo use touchscreen navigation and a very capable sonar with side imaging. 3rd is the Furuno GP1871F with it's robust construction and bulletproof software. 4th is the Raymarine Axiom which has endless capabilities on an elegant 9" touchscreen.  5th is the Lowrance Elite 7 Ti2 offering charting detail and performance that is well beyond the budget price. - Jim Maier

Error filtering template: Element with ID 'widget.products.list.pager' already exists.