Need electronics suggestions / help!

[UNI80]

I'm new to this forum and I need some help with what electronics to get.

My dad just purchased a 1981 46' Bertram down in Florida. The electronics have to be over 10 years old and are a mix match of manufacturers - we need to get new units. I want to get something that is all tied together - GPS, fish finder and radar - and maybe an autopilot (the boat has twin diesels).

I am going to fly down to Florida the weekend after next and plan on going to the Lauderdale boat show.

Any help is appreciated. I have been out of the game since I sold my boat in 2004 and it looks like a lot has changed. It would be great to have some thoughts on what to check out.

[RickyF]

A lot depends on how much money you are willing to spend. The Lowrance HDS-10 setup is a great unit from all the reports.

[UNI80]

Thanks for the reply. He's willing to put the money in to get a good system. We definitely want a big screen he needs to be able to see the charts and fishfiner information - the boat currently has a Furuno fishfinder, JRC radar and Northstar 952 that is displayed on individual screens.

I did a little research on the Lowrance product last night, and the pricing seems to be in the right range - I just hope the 10" screen is big enough.

[Sportfishinman]

I have the HDS 7 and it works fine for me even split screen..... larger would be nice however the price jumps alot as you increase

[UNI80]

I'll definitely check it out. I appreciate the help!

[Reel Draggin Tackle]

If you like Lowrance, but are looking for a bigger screen look at SIMRAD or NorthStar. They are all owned by NAVACO and have nearly all of the same features. the SIMRAD has a few more features as well as a 12" monitor.

[UNI80]

That's cool, I will definitely check them out. The StructureScan screen shots Reel Thing put up are awesome. Checking out their site, it looks like it works with Simrad - but it also looks like I would need to get their broadband sounder too for deep water stuff. I checked out Northstar, and it doesn't look like they do StructureScan.

Garmin had some cool looking underwater looks, but I think it was charts only only and not real sounder info. Their touch screen looks like it is pretty easy to use. I am not sure if it is as easy while bouncing over the waves.

[UNI80]

Allright, I got back from the Fort Lauderdale show and looked at a lot of systems. There were three I liked the best. The Garmin touch screen looked good and was pretty easy to use. The Simrad NSE and NSO was very easy to use and their radar and StructureScan options. And the Furuno NavNet 3D looked really great but wasn’t that easy to use.

When talking about the pros and cons of the products vs the competition, I was told that the Garmin is not easy to use when on bouncing around on the water. Simrad has bad customer service and Furuno’s system is buggy.

I’m not sure what to believe. Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions? I’d like to hear what people who use the products think!

[RickyF]

I have the Lowrance HDS-7 setup with sidescan. Like any new systems, it takes a little trial and error to get used to it and to get it dialed in. Lowrance customer service has always been very responsive to me, but others have had issues. I always try to call during non-peak hours and i have not had to wait very long to speak with someone. I can't speak to the other manufacturers as I have never owned one of their products.

[UNI80]

Thanks, Ricky. Im glad you have not had a problem. Customer service run around can be terrible, that's why I will never buy another Dell computer (but that is a different story). Lowrance and Simrad are part of the same company, so hopefully the customer service is the same.

[Reel Draggin Tackle]

I have been a long time Lowrance user. After installing seven or eight units on three boats I have delt with their customer service several times over the last 15 years. I have to say that I have not experencied any of the "bad" service talked about. I have never been on hold for more than 15 min, and although thats a PIA it is not a deal breaker for me. After a tech got on the phone everything was squared away and parts have been delivered on time. I also contact Lowrance through email and have engaged in quite a few technical discussions with Lowrance. The company has a history of listening to customers, so hopefully some recomendations will end up in the next software builds.
When my simrad auto pilot display head leaked, I called through NAVACO and was almost immediatly connected and the head was replaced in three days; before I returned the defective unit! When I could not get the new AP calibrated, simrad was on the phone with me on the water for three hours until they were sure I was happy.

Just my experence, I have read others have not faired as well. Not sure why.

[UNI80]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like they are on the ball - it truly helps in making a decision.