Chartplotter / Fishfinder Advice

[kevr6384]

Hi All,

Im in the market for a new chartplotter / fishfinder and after some advice?

They need to be fitted to a small console on a 4m rib so space is at a premium.

Am i better of with going with a 5inch combo unit such as the lowrance elite 5 series or two smaller units - say the elite 4 series ?

Any recommendations on which you prefer and which cartography is best for the north east inshore hard ground fishing ?

Cheers

 

[stray]

I've got the Lowrance Elite 5 HDI chart plotter/fish finder, on my 3.8m, for the simple reason that I can scroll back through the logs and mark any likely looking spots with a couple of button presses. The screen is a bit small, I'd have had the HDI 7 or even the HDS 7 if I'd had more cash.
I don't use a dedicated chart, I just set the unit to Navionics and it shows the coastal outline and my fishing marks relative to it, which is all I need. But Navionics is reckoned to be the best chart.



If you've got the time, money and are a bit of a nerd, you could use Insight Genesis to make your own detailed charts of areas where you fish. I uploaded a SONAR log out of curiosity, and took a screenshot of the result.

 

[Kev1n]

I use Garmin “Vision” charts, some of their plotters come preloaded with charts which saves a good few pounds. Jeppeson C-map charts are good and seem to have a little more detail than the Garmin ones for round here.
Personally, I’d go for the biggest plotter that you could fit, then either add a small sounder or if the plotter screen is big enough dual it with a sounder. Once you have some marks plotted, you’ll use the plotter more than the fish finder. Bigger screens show up the marks and drifts better than small screens do so are easier to use and navigate with.