GPS Chartplotter Fishfinder

GPS PLOTTER, SOUNDER PLOTTER OR MULTIFUNCTION GPS? HOW TO CHOOSE A GPS SOUNDER HANDSET ?

Given the huge range of multifunction displays, fishfinders, features and names, it's easy to get lost without understanding the difference between: a multifunction display, a GPS plotter sounder, a GPS tracker or a gPS sounder handset. Here are the answers to your most important questions:

• Which GPS plotter-sounder to choose ?
• Sounder handset, GPS fishfinder, what is a GPS tracker ?
• How to tell the difference between a GPS tracker and a GPS fishfinder, a multifunction display ?

You will find 4 main brands competing in the multifunction displays and combined GPS fishfinder / chartplotter

The brandsGarmin, , Humminbird , , Lowrance andRaymarineBut all 4 offer similar devices.

The family of GPS sounder/plotter navigation screens etc... consists of 4 models

• GPS sounders
• GPS trackers
• GPS sounder/plotter combinations
• Multifunction displays

To understand :

• A handset = a plotter/sounder/GPS device
• Multifunction display = A device that combines all functions (plotter/GPS/Fishfinder) with the ability to display information from radar, on-board camera, GPS receiver, etc autopilot or other compatible hardware.

Accessories :

When choosing your product, remember to check the followingaccessoriesIn our dedicated category, which you'll need: cable, bracket, mounting kit, protective cover, external antenna etc...

You'll also find RAM Mounts, sturdy and adaptable to all types of mounts and devices, such as Echomap, , Striker, hDS, Helix, , Solix etc... and even probe holders,humminbird probe holder...

SIMPLE COLOR SOUNDERS AND GPS SOUNDERS

Visit sounder range consists of thegPS-free color sounders who have no GPS function and make only sounder and color sounders with GPS.

1) Sounder without GPS :

Fishing essentials the color fishfinder is a concentrate of technology allowing you to easily spot fish by scanning the seabed.

From affordable models like thehook 2 4xFrom humminbird for sea or freshwater fishingFloat tube, for example, whether from occasional or more frequent fishing. Up to the more expensive and reserved for a professional or experienced fisherman as theS2009 depth sounder fromSimrad... The fishfinder is an ally of choice.

Special mention to portable sounders like Deeper Chirp, rather new and innovative ,these screenless sounders are used for static or trolling fishing and can be connect to smartphone to display depth information and scan the area for fish. A ball that fits in the hand with fishfinder technology Chirp and many others concentrated in its small size.

2) GPS sounder

Visitsounders with GPSHave an additional location function and can save your waypoints when fishing. Like the Helix range Humminbird or Lowrance Hook reveal. With a GPS sounder you can, for example, once you've located a fishing spot, enter its precise position at the touch of a button in the GPS memory. So the next time you go out, the GPS sounder will will take you directly to your fishing spot favorite. Fishfinders with built-in GPS can be upgraded with accessories such as an external GPS antenna to boost the signal.

GPS Fishfinders or Echosounders are generally less expensive than multifunction displays. They have fewer functions but are ideal for anglers who don't want to be burdened with superfluous technology. This is the case, for example, with thehumminbird sounder helix 5 which uses 2D technology only.

Good to know: certain devices such as therange StrikerWith the littleGarmin striker 4, theGarmin striker 5hpOr from GarminUse the QuickDraw Contour which allows you to record its own bathymetric chart (seabed contour recording). So as the boat moves forward echo sounder records depth data. To find out more about how this technology works, click here the guide.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GPS CHARTPLOTTER

Unlike gPS sounders, thegPS trackers are not intended to probe the background, which is initially geared more towards the sailing, the gPS trackers can also be used on motorboats is not intended for fishing and does not require a depth sounder.

Visit card plotters have generally integrated GPS antenna, they can be touch or button operated, and feature a color screen. Most GPS trackers are nMEA183 compatible ,a technology that connects them to your old autopilot or a VHF, for example.

Today's more modern trackers are equipped with a nMEA2000 connection. A receiver or transmitter can be connected AIS so you can visualize nearby equipped boats on the screen.

How do I use a chartplotter ?

To use tracker and GPS functions of the unit, you will need to add an additional cardIn order to obtain all navigation details : harbour entrances, buoys, beacons, wrecks, riprap, lighthouses, etc. The GPS tracker will take you from point A to point B.

You canenter a destination by clicking on the touch screen or by using the buttons on your device, plan your journey or draw a route. You can also save waypoints during your navigation, so that on your next outing you can take exactly the same route by connecting your tracker to your autopilot.

Good to know: Visit gPS trackers Garmin are the only ones compatible with cards Garmin G3 which enable the use of the self-steering. In other words, the marine GPS acts like a car GPS and avoids obstacles.

WHICH GPS SOUNDER PLOTTER HANDSET TO CHOOSE?

First of all, it's important to know that a "combined" device, i.e. one that combines sounder and GPS plotter functions is more expensive than a simple sounder or plotter. A GPS plotter sounder or gPS handset, offers the advantage of being able to do without a device, since it offers 2 functions in 1.

So on the GPS plotter sounder connect a probe for fishing, but also plot its course and navigate on the open sea.

For example GPS plotter sounder Garmin echomap UHDAs theGarmin Echomap UHD 92sv will combine the best features of a tracker such as the compatible with G3 charts, the possibility ofsave waypoints, of map and plan routes and those of a sounder with QuickDraw Contour or the technologyClearVü. Or evenhumminbird helix 9 G4N CHIRP MEGA SI+ combines the best technology Humminbird Mega Side Imaging + and is radar upgradeable.

Some devices feature Down Imaging only, such as thehumminbird piranhamax 4 di

You can choose your gPS sounder handset depending on your budget technology needed for fishing or location, but you also need to think about comfort. After all dual functionality said possibility of split screen to display the map on one side, the sounder data on the other, or the targets AIS nearby. In this case, it's best to opt for a larger screen size, from 7" upwards.

If you're into fishing with real-time fishfinders, it's ideal to have a large screen with aMega Live probe orGarmin Livescope

Visit gPS handsets can be tactile, button or mixed (button + tactile). Knowing that on the open sea in motorboat for example, it may be simpler and more precise to use physical buttons rather than pressing the screen.

MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY FUNCTIONS

The last category ofmarine equipment for sounding or charting routes at sea is the multifunction displayss or MFD.

A Multifunction display is a device that combines the functionalities of a combined chartplotter/fishfinder/GPS, but which can also be connected to all kinds of devices via a NMEA2000 and in particular to radar to display the information on the screen.

A multifunction display can therefore show information from a depth sounder, a nautical chart, radar, an onboard camera, theAIS, etc.

For example, the GPS plotter multifunction sounderRaymarine Element 7SActs as a depth sounder when used with a probe, but can also steer you with its gPS function and compatibility with navigation charts.

As amulti-function device it is also Quantum radar-compatible and can be used with wifi connection to detect boats, landmarks and buoys. The sounder function coupled with the plotter function lets you draw your own underwater maps and then find your best fishing spots. This is the case of therange Solix HumminbirdOrGPSMAP Garmin

The major difference between a multi-function device and a gPS plotter-sounder handset is its radar compatibility support for other devices and technologies (wifi, NMEA2000, Bluetooth, etc.)