Which Plotter £500?

SimonCh · 21 June 2011, 19:19

Hey folks

I am thinking of getting a new GPS Plotter, and sounder. Id prefer not to go too far over £500 if i can (I'm Scottish). What would you recommend? I currently have some fairly out-dated black and white Lowrance stuff. I have a GPS, and separate sounder units, I am not too fussed as to whether to get a separate sounder or one that's built in, or if either is really doable on my budget? Noob question, but i assume they come with antenna, cables etc?

cheers

Si

Channel Ribs · 21 June 2011, 19:31

A 5" screen chartplotter with sonar and dual frequency transducer, complete with the entire British Isles charts should do the trick. About 500 quid:

Garmin 551S

If you can stretch the budget to over 500 then the same size unit comes with a high resolution screen, the 556S.

Were you to want the option of upgrading to to broadband radar and downscan sonar then a Lowrance plotter might be worth a look, but for sheer value and ease of use the Garmin wins hands down.

Let me know if you want some exact figures.

SimonCh · 22 June 2011, 05:43

Hey mate, cheers for your response, i've had a look and it looks nice - how would you compare it to the Lowrance Elite-5? I know this is a stupid question, but do they all have in-built antenna these days? If not, do they come with a whole kit? Could you pm me a quote for both the models you suggested please?

Courageous · 22 June 2011, 06:26

I bought a Garmin 535s from the bay of fleas. Delighted with it!

Channel Ribs · 22 June 2011, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonCh

how would you compare it to the Lowrance?

Lowrance's 5" plotter/sounders are very good and at the same sort of price, the Garmin's are perhaps easier to use and the overall setup is slightly more slick.

All the small models now tend to come with internal antennae, which is ideal for a RIB. The largest ones have separate "mushrooms" and most have those included.