Sonar Advice - Garmin 1040xs or dual 741?

Westie

I'm about to make a decision on a new electronics package for my Tomcat. Originally I was sold on the 1040xs as an all in one unit. However, it would cost around $400 more to have dual 741.

I plan to add radar (GMR 18 xHD) and typically have sonar and plotter on at the same time when fishing.

Do you think it's worth the extra $$$ for dual system?

I would like the having the security of two GPS units on board. Can I see the 741 from the cockpit?

Thanks!

Aurelia · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 11:41 pm Post subject:

We use the 741 and for viewing in the cockpit we just use a tablet we already own. Garmin has the free helm app that allows viewing or full control of the 741 from the tablet. No need for the second unit especially if you load navionics or another mapping app on the tablet for a backup to the 741 for separate chartplotting use.

The bigger screen on the larger model might be worth it if you find the 7inch model hard to read. Test one in a store to check the font sizes. Split screen works on the 741 but each view is not huge.

Greg

colbysmith · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 9:38 am Post subject:

I recently purchased and installed the GPSMAP 840xs, and very happy with it's size. I did keep my older GPSMAP 541S as a backup. Considering that with the multifunction screen on the 840, if I lost that unit, I'd lose my sonar, chartplotter and radar. I think if one is doing a lot of navigating in dark or fog, a dual navigation system of some sort makes sense! Colby

rogerbum · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:13 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:56 pm Post subject:

I faced somewhat the same issue. I had purchased a 740S (older) for the Radar, and found the screen too small when split with chart or sounder (I was used to at least 7" with a vertical orientation--giving more forward view in large boat radars).

I then added a 1041xs, which allows excellent overlay with the fast GPS update, or a good vertical orientation better than the 7" screen for Radar.

Normally I run the conventional sounder on the 740, as well as the down scan on the 1041xs, plus a chart or radar/chart, or radar chart overlay on the 1041xs. I also have an older 541 which I have now dedicated to AIS.

The 541 is just off to the right of the photo. This set up gives me great redundancy. But, if you are short, you may want to see how the 1041 fits with your vision forward. I am (was) 6'2", and it is fine, but for shorter folks, without revision of the seat, it could block view.

The down scan is a supplement to the standard fish finder, and is very handy in looking at fishing bottom, as well as anchoring sea beds. I do not yet have the side scan or CHIRP additional box. Probably that will be the next purchase. Both of the fish finders held the bottom at over 400 feet and cruising speed.

Westie · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 1:10 am Post subject:

Bob,
That's a great picture - thanks!

I think I'll add the Garmin 741 above the helm and keep the older lowrance 113 as a sonar until I pull out in a few months.

Sunbeam · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 11:49 am Post subject:

Looks like you have good information on your original query, so I can add a slight tangent...

I had a somewhat similar "hmmmm" when recently shopping to replace my Garmin 2006c (nice plotter.... but with limitations in 2014).

I liked the 741xs, but the screen was just too small for me. And the larger Garmins (that were in the same ballpark) didn't have the touch screen. Actually, I'm fine with buttons for functions, but what I really wanted was the touch screen for moving the chart around. I much prefer that to the "press the arrow keys, wait for the cursor to move to the edge of the screen, then wait for the chart to move." Heh, how quickly we get used to new things.

So I somewhat reluctantly looked at other brands. I was quite taken with the Furuno NSS9 Evo 2 (which has touch screen and good buttons, plus a knob), but the package was going to be quite a bit more than what I did get, and I wasn't sure I would like it that much better (and/or if I were going to spend the money, I might prefer to spend it on other boat goodies Laughing

since after the shopping is over, it's not all about the chart plotter aboard ). So I ended up with the Raymarine A98. The 9" screen is still not huge, but seems just enough larger than the Garmin 7" screen to not feel super tiny. It is only touch screen (no buttons) which might be a liability in rough seas, and the available radar is pulse, not broadband (I liked the idea of broadband for being able to go out on the foredeck and not worry about needing to turn it off).

I'm not going to go ahead with the radar until I'm sure I prefer this to the Furuno (still feel a bit conflicted), but I wanted to do something before Powell as my previous (Garmin) depth sounder head unit was unreliable and I found that put somewhat of a damper on my exploring out of the main channel. The A98 came with a depth sounder so that solved that problem.

I've only been using it a week, and I haven't really delved into it (just using the few functions I need for now, since I only installed it just before launching), but so far I'm happy with it.

Anyway, it's another option in the smaller-but-not-tiny size range (9"). While I would love the screen space of a 12" unit, I don't think I would like having it in front of me in the 22. But I know others who have one and love it.

Westie · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:16 am Post subject:

After a visit to the boat this weekend, and looking at many pictures, I decided on the 1040xs. I will keep the older Lowrance 113 above the helm and mount the 1040xs on the side of the helm.

The Lowrance seems to be a suitable sonar. I'm not happy with the GPS or radar so that will be the primary use of the 1040xs.

I've seen folks use a RAM swing arm and others have a fixed mount. Any concensus on best mount for a side helm MFD?

thataway · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 1:12 pm Post subject:

The 1040xs is a much better sounder than the Lowrance 113. It has down scan, as well as CHIRP and side scan, if you add the black box.

thataway · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 7:34 pm Post subject:

In my photo the 1041xs is on the plastic mount which came with it. The 740S is in an aluminum mount I made, it meets the bottom of the 740, so there is virtually no gap, and it is held in place with heavy duty velcro.
The only swing or ram mounts I have used for MFD displays were in Motor sailors where I wanted the mount to swing so I could see it from the pilot house, or the cockpit (in the companionway). The 1040 is a large MFD display, so you want it as near to the console as possible. I just screwed it directly into the fiberglass on top of the console. In some boats I have put the Radar up under the shelf above the helm, but then it seems best if you have upside down trifocals, for good vision!

Westie · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 7:36 pm Post subject:

I know its better but I wont be pulling the boat out for a few months. When I do, I'll replace the transducer if I find the lowrance isn't suitable. Right now, I have no real working GPS and will need it for navigation and crab season.

Any ideas on a temporary mount solution for the Garmin so I don't have unwanted holes if I decide to go with the Garmin alone and mount above the helm?

jkidd · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:22 pm Post subject:

Temporary just use a piece of wood mounted to the existing holes and mount the new bracket to the wood. Toss it when your done with it.

thataway · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:52 pm Post subject:

Another option is to just use the bracket mount which comes with the 1040 and put industrial strength velcro on the bottom and console where you want it. You could use the velcro on both the Lowrance and Garmin. After you can just use "goof off" to remove any of the sticky residue.

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:54 pm Post subject: