Lowrance
Personally - I am privey to Lowrance units. I am currently runnning a Lowrance global map 1600 (single plotter) with differential beacon receiver as add on. I bought unit new years ago - no problems ever with it. Except electrical connections as with all electronics. Rubber dries out. Shows 3 ft accuracy - not sure exactly how close it really is but I do know I can find a needle in a haystack with it. I also run a Garmin unit for sonar I think its the 240 blue. Not pleased with it - been back for repairs (although repair service through garming is excellent and fairly reasonable) unit did not seal - and again the connector in the back of the unit went bad so had to replace that due to unit turning off. It is now happening again. Not real pleased with Garmins sonar units. Going back to Lowarance.
Something to think about though when considering dual display units.
1) If sonar or GPS goes bad - you are down 2 systems!
2) Ease of use and display while boating - if you are actively driving switching between screens and displays could be difficult - not to mention when you split screens - your whole display is cut in half. If you are fishing from the back of the boat and need to monitor both gps and sonar will you be able to actually see the display from there.
3) Most people prefer - sonar from one company and GPS from another as I - so just because you get a stand alone unit - you might like the gps and hate the sonar or visa versa - but you are stuck with both.
My father in-law has the lowrance 480 - nice unit but - my global map 1600 with DGPS is more accurate - and you don't need binoculars from the back of the boat to monitor - both gps and sonar.
My choice stick with 2 units.........[/font][/font]
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