which chartplotter?

[markg]

finally sorted some summer storage and have to get some gear fitted before it leaves home, i have a standard horizon gx1500 on the way and would like to fit gps while the boat is here. dont want to spend more than i need to, reccomendations for model and supplier would be very welcome, cheers, mark.

[BogMonster]

I've not tried others but am very pleased with my Garmin 556s.

[Channel Ribs]

Value for money you cannot beat the Garmin 750, but if space is tight the 556 is great. Both now come with Bluechart napping data preloaded and both are available in sonar capable versions.

We will try and match any English chandlers ex-vat price.

[markg]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Value for money you cannot beat the Garmin 750, but if space is tight the 556 is great. Both now come with Bluechart napping data preloaded and both are available in sonar capable versions.

We will try and match any English chandlers ex-vat price.

do you stock the lowrance hds-5m or 7m ? i like the option to add the structure scan kit in the future

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by markg

do you stock the lowrance hds-5m or 7m ? i like the option to add the structure scan kit in the future

Yes indeed we do, Structurescan and broadband radar are both fantastic.

I will check on the latest price of the M models, but to give you an idea the HDS5 is 490 and the HDS7 is 849.

[markg]

whats the difference between the hds7 and the hds7m, do they both work with the structure scan kit? cheers, mark.

[Dr Doof]

I think the HDS7 is a plotter / sounder combo, the 7M is plotter only.

I've got a HDS8 plotter / sounder with structure scan. I think its great, very easy to use and really crisp screen images.

I think the 7 comes with a transducer so you just have to buy the chart.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Dr Doof

I think the HDS7 is a plotter / sounder combo, the 7M is plotter only.

Quite right. Though both work with Structurescan, but if you want planing speed sonar then the M version is a no go.

[markg]

from what i have found via google the structure scan gear seems to work best at around 8 knots would i be wasteing money to buy the hds7 when the hds7m would do the same job for a bit less money, the structure scan kit comes with a transducer doesnt it?
a plotter would do me for now but the option to add the structurescan gear when funds allow would be better

[Channel Ribs]

Structurecan does come with the transducer, but it is sometimes good to have depth info (albeit less detailed) while at passage making speeds.