So i'm getting ready to buy my first boat is a 1986 trojan international and its 40ft with 2 6-71ti jt All of the electronics are 1986 and i am looking to up grade them. So far I like garmin, does anyone have any reccomendations ?
budget is not as important as buying the right equipment first time around. I have no issue with spending more for better product. At this point just trying to see what my options are. What kind of budget do you think? i was thinking under 20k?
20k of electronic on a 40 footer?? Not much fog in FL so you may not even need a radar. A good Garmin plotter and a hand alone sounder (personally I dont care for networked sounder on a plotter...) You re going have a hard time topping $5k but really depend on how you re going to use the boat...
Garmin would be ok, and I would get the sounder on the plotter, I'd also get the small garmin just depth unit with it's transducer.......they read better in shallow water......and it's easier to glance at the large number. I've heard the new Lowrance sounders are what all the commercial fisherman are going to. They use multiple HZ not just 50 and 200, and will hold bottom at 35knots in 2000 feet of water.
Here is what I ended up getting all garmin garmin 7212 1204 hd open array 12kw pedestal vhf 300AIS ghs20 wireless airmar B265-lh with chirp
I'm sure you already know this but I have to state it; The best stuff in the world is only as good as the installation. Dedicated power, separate wire runs, the best crimps & hardware. The best VHF antenna. Also find the extended warranty paperwork and get it mailed in. ,rc
+1 Especially the dedicated power. Adding an extra battery and charging via an extra alternator is the best way. Auto pilot uses a lot of power when you are in rough seas and that's NOT when you want to find out the bateries aren't getting enough charge to make up for the usage.
I'm curious why you don't like the sounder networked. I have a Garmin 3210 with a kickin 50/200 ducer and I love it.