New sounder/chartplotter-Garmin or Lowrance?

[incentive]

Looking at purchashing a new chart plotter/sounder in the new year to go on my boat.Looking at the Garmin 550 or the Lowrance 525 or 527 models.Does anybody have these models on their rib and if so which model is best?Any other models to consider buying?

[Top banana]

dont know about the lawrence but the garmin 550 is a great little plotter,easy menu, and with the added g2 vision software which isnt cheap allso gives a good 3d mariner and fish eye view. it allso has the auto guidance feature. without the g2 vision its still got full chart cover of uk ireland pre loaded with tide and current data. should allso come with the plug in sounder module. great value IMHO.Matt H and Stul have rescently purchased one.

[incentive]

Cheers for the reply top banana,been looking at the Garmin 555 model today,for around £160 squid more would it be worth getting the next model up from the 550 or is it a waste?

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by incentive

Cheers for the reply top banana,been looking at the Garmin 555 model today,for around £160 squid more would it be worth getting the next model up from the 550 or is it a waste?

Looked at a 550 and 555 side-by-side...other than the screen definition there's no other feature differences. In the end, went with the 550 as there was a better discount. I'm not disappointed

[Top banana]

As Leapy said its slightly better graphics, spend the extra if you want on a full g2 vision chart about £245-£265.but plenty good enough without.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Top banana

As Leapy said its slightly better graphics, spend the extra if you want on a full g2 vision chart about £245-£265.but plenty good enough without.

If you want a G2 Vision card check recent threads from 'Malthouse'...can be had for £180 plus VAT plus £10 delivery

[Jon Brooks]

May well be worth a look at Standard Horizon, Geonav and Humminbird, all do matching products in terms of spec

[Top banana]

Originally Posted by Leapy

If you want a G2 Vision card check recent threads from 'Malthouse'...can be had for £180 plus VAT plus £10 delivery

Malthouse was quoting £120+vat small region.
£160+vat regular region

I was refering to the large area uk ireland.

[matt h]

very please with the Garmin 550, although did have a software prob initially but its every bit good as the older 298 498 version,

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by incentive

Looking at purchashing a new chart plotter/sounder in the new year to go on my boat.Looking at the Garmin 550 or the Lowrance 525 or 527 models.Does anybody have these models on their rib and if so which model is best?Any other models to consider buying?

Thanks for the mention guys

As has been said, the 555S is the same as the 550S but with higher resolution screen, unless you want well defined super high detail then the 550S is fine for most people.

We are currently investigating/waiting for Garmin to look into a fault on one 550 but this is the only problem we have encountered since the range was launched, they are a great value and a lot of function in a small box.

As Jon rightly says the Horizon plotters with sonar add on are worth a look too, the main practical difference is screen orientation: Garmin = portrait, Horizon = landscape.

We are always happy to look for the best price possible, so feel free to PM me.

[two stroke mick]

I have a Garmin 550 and I love it. It is simple to use and easy to view at speed. I would have to say that I would recommend one despite having one that has developed a fault which is been investigated. When I unit is returned I hope that the fault will be resolved.
TSM