© 2010 Intermedia Outdoors, Inc.- |
- Site Map
- |
- Terms of Use
Florida Sportsman; the nation's leading sport fishing magazine, is now the web's best resource for information on sport fish, conservation issues, regional fishing within Florida and all fishing gear including fishing tackle, fishing rods and reels, and boating equipment of all kinds. Florida Sportsman Online also has the most active fishing community on the web - share your fishing tales with new friends today.
Garmin's 540S closeout is a good bet. Customer services is great should you have a problem and it's within your budget. http://www.scubastevesmarine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_371&products_id=24086
Scuba Steve's Marine - NMEA/CMEI - Marine Electronics & Outdoor Sales
Thanks Steve. I was looking at that very model.
FISH OR DIE!
I have the 540s, and for the price difference in hindsight I'd spend the extra money on a 545s. Much better resolution, easier to read, faster redraw. On closeout I think the difference is about $100.
I agree with timd 100% You won't be sorry!
I was just looking at garmins site and it doesn't have any info about the FF part of this unit. Weird
I've been thinking about switching over to a combo unit also.
I've got an older Garmin 100 blue (depth finder only) on my Pathfinder , do you know if my old transducer would work with the current 545 combo unit?
Anyone ...?
Anyone....?
I do not know the answer to your question...why not contact Garmin directly? I am also considering a purchase of either unit. Best of luck.
Roll the dice behind your shades-Paul Westerberg
The new ducer is relatively inexpensive, but if you must use the old one there is likely an adapter cable or a new connector end can be spliced on.
Tony Eden,
Boattronics of North Florida-( Visit boattronics.net to see pics of my work and trophy fish!)
Is it a dual frequency transducer? The 545s is a 50/200khz unit? Most places you buy the 545s from should include the new transducer with the unit. If you're has been on the boat for awhile it may be a good idea to go with the newer transducer anyway...If you have a transducer already mounted then running the new one is usually a fairly simple job.
I'm not nice...at all.http://www.copoutfishing.com/
Anyone familiar with the 421s, compared with the 540, 540s or 545?
Thanks
I asked this question 2 years ago and got told (but did not listen) to go with seperate units - GPS and seperate bottom macnine.
I am now shopping for a seperate GPS- the screens on combo units are not big enough to provide image needed when using "split/dual" function. I find also the controls do not switch back and forth well when trying to use split screen- when trying to position over a piece of structure attempting to change screens, zone in/out, check gps position all on same set of controls is difficult to do quickly-
I suggest seperate units, even if you get a combo-keep you other unit(s) hooked up- my 2 cents worth-
Just get you a hummnbird 1197 and you will have all the bases covered
If you are going 2 separate pieces I would recommend a garmin GPS of your choice and the Furuno 620 bottom machine
This post was modified at February 2, 2010 - 10:36am (EST) by Rickc
for the easy on the wallet route... Humminbird has a new unit that is GPS/sonar at $399 and $499
I just spoke with Garmin re: transducers being compatible with different units. I have a 498 that's acting weird so I asked the rep if I were to upgrade to a 500 series would I be able to use my through the hull transducer. The answer is YES but I would need to replace the power cord because that is not compatible. Hope this helps.
I will cast until interrupted by a fish
Paul,
The two units you are talking about are the humminbird 365i ($299) and 385ci($399)...They're replacing the older 363 and 383...Both have 3" screens. The 365i is Black & White and the 385ci is color...The best thing about both of these is that, unlike their older versions, both of these units have SD slots for Navionics Chips...These are sleek little units for people without much console space and the price point is phenominal for what they can do...I've had a lot of guys with small Flats Skiffs and little Bass Buggies buying the cr@p outta them...
I'm not nice...at all.http://www.copoutfishing.com/
The 421s has a 4" diagonal screen and no detailed chart software. If this is the unit you want, I recommend the 441s which has the chart software built in. The 400 series (4" screen) and 500 series (5" screen) units ending in 1 or 6 are the latest iteration and have nmea 2000 capability whereas the older 420, 430, 440, 540, 545 do not. If you do not plan to expand the system with any nmea 2000 devices, buy a 440s, 540s or 545s on closeout.
I only recommend the 400 series units when anything bigger absolutely won't fit, or when bottom finding is not important. A 4" screen gets pretty small for split screen operation.
Forgot to add that the s designation at the end means it also has sounder capability built in. The models with no s at the end are GPS only models.
This post was modified at February 8, 2010 - 12:55am (EST) by boatelectronicguy
Robert Sallas
Quality Marine Electronics Installation, Inc
Wow. Thanks for the great information. Based on this I looked around and I think the 540s is my choice. Now I am looking for the best price with transom mount. Pretty much $500 on line.
Thanks again for the information.
Dave
This post was modified at March 7, 2010 - 3:03pm (EST) by worktolive
Where are you seeing $100 difference? I am finding the 545s to be about $400 more.
Thanks,
Dave
I CAN get the 541s for about $100 more than the 540s because there is a $100 rebate on the 541s right now, makint it about 685-100.... $585
Anyone know if its worth it?
Thanks
After much thought and review I purchased the new Garmin 441S and it has been great so far. I do have limited console space and did not want to spend more than $550 or so. I really liked the idea of the $100 rebate as well. I really do not mind the 4 inch screen at all as the colors are so vivid, I can see everything I need. I typically leave it on full screen chart as we tend to run shallow for a bit so I can see where to go easily. I then use the split screen to see sonar data, again no issue for me at all. Once we are fishing I typically switch to full sonar screen. I do have the unit rigged to a Standard Horizon VHF with DSC and it's nice to know I have the DSC capability in case of an emergency. I have yet to use the unit's NMEA 2000 link but at some point hope to add on a fuel sensing device. Overall, very pleased so far and just sent in the rebate form. Best of luck whichever you choose!
Roll the dice behind your shades-Paul Westerberg
The main reason to go for the 541s vs 540s is if you intend to add nmea2000 equipment or instruments like the GFS10 fuel flow sensor at some time in the future.
Robert Sallas
Quality Marine Electronics Installation, Inc