GPS/sonar options for a 16 Cruiser

wannabeowner2

OK, after several years of obsessive lurking (and waaaay too much drama says my wife!) we are seriously looking at a very slightly used 2007 16 Cruiser.

I understand the previous owner left the receiver and wiring for a Lowrance LGC-2000 GPS in the boat but took the actual unit. So the dealer is offering to install a compatible unit and hook up to it free if I buy it. OR he will throw in for free a new Lowrance X-47 he has in stock.

We live in the Midwest and I anticipate only freshwater use with limited overnights on the boat- mostly day trips on lakes or the Missouri river for some serious bird watching. So what would you folks recommend? (I am virtually completely ignorant on boat electronics but want to learn.)

A thousand thanks in advance for your advice and support.

Steve

PS Having already had a Tom-Tom GPS stolen out of an accidentally left unlocked car one slight concern I have about adding expensive electronics to a 16 is security.

On edit: Come to think of it should I go with the X-47 mounted just for depth (we're not big fishermen YET) and use a handheld GPS? Too many options especially being so ignorant. HELP! Smile

marvin4239 · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:05 am Post subject:

I'd probably go with the Lowrance since the wiring is there and it's free. I personally have a Humminbird 797ci. If you are fearful of thief the Humminbird units can be easily removed from the boat as they simply plug into a base unit. Humminbird company has great customer service but they aren't really that popular. The are used more in the fresh water areas. The side scan technology is pretty neat. On the other hand if you see radar in your future they don't offer it. Having played with the different units to me the Garmins are the simplest and I really like the 4008 model for the small dash on the 16. On the 16 Crusier the seat boxes can be converted to lockable cabinets with a little work. There's a picture of this in my album. Good luck on your purchase

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

I have Lowrance combo unit LMS-330. I really like it. The gps is much clearer, readable' and user friendly than the unit we had on our 22 footer. I like the tracking feature, especially when returning after dark. When I leave the boat I take it with me. It is very simple to just pull the three plugs, lift it out of the holder and go. Last year I had to replace the transponder (an otter ate the cable!). The replacement transponder was readily available from several sources and simply plugs into the unit.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:39 am Post subject:

WBO2,

I'll toss my two cents worth in. First, the Lowrance x47 (if memory serves me right) is a pretty inexpensive gray scale fish finder. I will have to go to the shop to check, but I think that is what I have on my little tin boat. I think I paid about $100 for it. It has been pretty bullet proof, with the following exception... the female receptacles in the connector plugs are prone to corrosion. Transducer placement seems to be pretty critical on Lowrance units if you want to have good sounder performance at speed.

On my CD22, we use two units. A Raymarine C80 for the primary navigation, radar and depth sounding. A Humminbird 757c GPS/sonar as a back up unit. When fishing, I typically use the Humminbird. Both have given me reliable sonar performance at speed. Each unit has had a problem. The GPS puck on the Raymarine C80 was cracked and failed, but I think this was due to my over torque on the mount screws. The Humminbird display failed in that the brightness was so weak that it was almost impossible to read. Humminbird repaired it, but it failed again. They replaced the unit, and it has functioned as advertised.

So.... If it were me, I would look at one of the GPS/sonar units in the middle of the product line for either Humminbird or Lowrance. I tend to favor the Humminbird over the Lowrance because both my x47 and my x15 have never given reliable sonar readings at speed. To be fair, this could be my inability to find the sweet spot for the skimmer placement. I replaced the x15 with the Humminbird and have not regretted it. I think you can get a reliable combination unit for around $500. I have not seen the newer Lowrance units, but the Humminbird was much easier to install than my old x15.

Steve

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:42 am Post subject:

An afterthought. I believe a number of the newer units have an internal GPS antenna, rather than a puck. That would make the installation even simpler.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:33 am Post subject:

On a boat where panel real estate is limited, a combo GPS/fish finder unit would be my choice (and has been on a couple of our sailboats). Most are designed so you can unplug them and take them home. Brand choice is more like buying a truck (If you have a Dodge, you just know they are better than a Chevy or a Ford). Drop by a marine stuff store and look over the different models. They are not difficult to install, so ease of use would be more important to me than what wiring is already there. Even if you don't intend to fish, a fish-finder instead of a depth finder will give you bottom contour which can help with picking a spot to anchor. The ability to mark a favorite spot (where birds are nesting, as an example) on your GPS so you can go back to it is also handy.

If you want to stay more portable, put a fixed mount fish finder and use a handheld chartplotter GPS (and a VHF while you're at it). There are smaller sizes that have a decent screen and can run on AAs or a 12v plug.

Good luck with your decisions. Oh, and: buy the boat - what a great sight-seeing platform! You can always add the electronics as you spend time aboard and find what you like. Very Happy

Best wishes,
Jim B.

bjidzik · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

First, buy the boat & enjoy it. We love our 16' Cruiser & spent a lot of time last year whale watching & cruising.

As for electronics, we bought the boat with an older Raymarine setup for sonar, gps, & radar. I like having a bigger color display as its easier on the eyes. Do choose a unit that you feel is easiest for you to use underway. For the 16' Cruiser, keep it simple. Space is at a premium.

If I had the choice, I would have installed the Standard Horizon CPV-350 (all in one VHF/GPS/sonar) which can be bought as a package. For backup/emergencies, I carry a spare Garmin 276C GPS and a Icom M72 VHF in a ditch bag.

Good luck!

thataway · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:30 pm Post subject:

This is a bit confusing, since the LGc 2000 is the antenna for a Lowarance chart plotter. Alone a LGC 2000 is worthless, you need the chart plotter head. Lowrance legacy products are at:
http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Legacy-Products/
One of these (probably the 3300 thru 5600 series) was most likely on the boat. Get the dealer to replace the chart plotter with what ever was on the boat before.

Understand that the LX 47 is a discontinued B & W small depth sounder --as Steve says about $100. It will work fine, but the color combo unit will do better in the long run. Many of the legacy products are still available in some dealer's stocks and are not expensive.

As for the thief issue, undo the unit and take it home. Even with the boat on my life in the back yard, I take the electronics off if I am not using the boat for a week or so. The boat we leave on the storage lot, all electronics are taken home, even though the boat is locked.

seabeagle · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:48 pm Post subject:

No input on the Lowrance except that they are supposed to have a new radar that is safe to stand next to and uses 1/10 the power. Our 16 is equipped with a complete Garmin system. 5208 head unit, radar, sonar, etc... Very expensive though. Check out our photos, you can see some of the setup scattered in the mix. Later in the spring I'm planning to post some better pics of the install.

marco422 · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:04 pm Post subject:

One issue with GPS chartplotters is that they are a little like printers. You have to factor in the cost of the supplies (charts). I have a Garmin 545s on my 16 Cruiser which is a very nice unit but the charts cost about $300 per area in Canada. Once you buy several chart sets, you feel fairly committed to that brand because of your investment.

I used to have a Garmin 178s but I like the colour screen on the 545 (easier to tell the shallow areas from the land and easier to see in sunlight). The 545 also has a very sharp screen for its size (640 x 480 on a 5-inch diagonal). It has a nice balance of features in a compact unit suited to the 16 footer and is easier to use than the 178. The sounder has been reliable so far.

thataway · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject:

Many chart plotters are now available with all of the US charts available on their hard drive or flash drive. I purchased a Garmin with all charts for about $300 a few years ago on a close out sale.

Canada has a different problem. All government carts are licensed through NDI--and they get a license fee. One Garmin Chip covers from San Juans to N. Vancouver Island; most of the area used by the C Brat members.

marco422 · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject:

Yes, my Garmin came with all US coastal charts. I guess that's why they introduced "G2 Vision"-- added value that they can sell. I looked at my receipt for the vision card for the BC Coast (not including Puget Sound) and it was $415!

I plan to take a trip this summer on the Great Lakes and Rideau Canal and am expecting to pay about $600 for charts. Hopefully I can sell them after I've used them.

Inland lakes charts for the US are also about $100 per region (five cards covering the 48 states).

Because of the chart situation in Canada (copyright provisions) we do pay more in Canada.

wannabeowner2 · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the advice/experience. It is all a bit overwhelming.

Let me try these two options on for size with all of you:

1) Go ahead and have the dealer find me a price for a "legacy unit" that goes with the pre-installed lowrance receiver and wiring or ...

2) Have him install the free lowrance X-47 for depth/fish and then supplement it with this http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPSMap-76-Handheld-Navigator/dp/B00005B4BJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234144870&sr=1-1
This unit got really good reviews from Amazon but maybe not from the C-Brats. My thought was it could be a back-up unit down the road.

Your thoughts?

Thanks again in advance,
Steve

PS Remember this is fresh water lake and Missouri river use and seldom overnight. Not trying to be difficult here. Just make a wise buying decision with all of your help.

RJD Wannabe · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject:

More free advice. keep it simple, get a Lowrance GPS/Fishfinder that will just plug in and have the dealer install it and be finished. I had a Lowrance LMS-360, an older unit, it was great and easily removable. And keep the back-up simple also,basic GPS and a VHF for a stow bag. Doesn't sound like you are heading out to the ocean or major bodies of water. Can always upgrade later.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject: 2 cents worth

Steve,

I wouldn't get too hung up on the existing wiring. I would tell the dealer that you want him to put in a decent GPS/SONAR system in the boat as part of the deal. Put another way, ask for it for free. The worst he can do is say no. Maybe he will say yes, and maybe he will offer to cover part of it.

If you do go for the x47, make sure that the dealer sets it up, and that the skimmer will give you reliable depth soundings at cruising speed. I've been on the Missouri, and know about those sandbars that jump up rather quickly when you're not in the channel. A hand held GPS would be an acceptable alternative to a combination GPS/SONAR. However, this x47/handheld system would not at all be my first choice (see paragraph above).

Someone in the thread mentioned a VHF. By all means, YES!!! When you meet a big damn tow coming down the river, you will have a way to talk to him to know his intentions.

Good luck on getting your boat!

Another Steve