Been considering a GPS/Fish/Depth Finder for the boat and was curious what everyone else was using and what they liked/disliked about the units. Currently Im using my iPhone Maps, but it gets a little sketchy trying to work a spotlight, drive the boat, and navigate the maps on the phone. I thought about getting a bicycle mount to clamp to the grab bar but Id like to have the phone stay on and Im not sure if thats possible.
Then I saw the new Lowrance HDS systems with the SonicHub module which adds a stereo, amp, iPhone input, and on screen control integration.

So far Im thinking one of the three:

1. Continue with iPhone & add Basic Fish/Depth finder: get a mount and figure out a way to keep the screen on

2. The Lowrance HDS Package- Anyone know if they have satellite image overlay options?

3. A run of the mill basic Garmin GPS, Fish/Depth Finder

What do yall see as pros and cons, what would you choose and why?

Im using a Lowrance Elite 4m mounted on a quick release RAM mount. Its simple and doesnt take up hardly any space....mainly got it just for them foggy days. When not in use I can remove it or pivot the ram mount so it is sitting under the catwalk.

Its not a fish finder but its a damn good GPS, i use a Garmin 60CSX. its about the size of a cell phone but thicker. I have it ran off a ram mount as well. comes in very handy for just about all situations. I use mine in the boat and deer hunting, and you can even put road maps on as well!

I'm partial to Garmin. I've got two of the old hand held GPS units and a built in on another boat. They are tough, easy to use, their pc interface (mapsource) is great, and their factory support is pretty good too.

I helped a buddy install the complete Lowrance XD system on his boat with the sat radio/weather, sounder, side looking sounder, ipod/iphone dock, etc. The hardware assembly was straight forward and we had everything up and running relatively quickly, but I thought the user interface was not very intuitive. It does everything they say it will, but getting at the features takes a bit of getting accustomed to. Very much like Raymarine, they put in so many features it is hard to get at the basics that you want!

If you've got to have a fishfinder on a mud rig, I'd go with a basic Garmin GPS/fishfinder. You can get a tough, easy to use, inexpensive unit that won't make you want to call the FBI if somone steals it!

RAM Mount makes a phone mount that i mounted on my grab bar. It will fit any handheld GPS or your phone. Works great and I can use my aerial maps! I have driven down the highway with my phone still in the mount and it stays put!

everyone I know that ive talked to about it favors the garmin which i was kind of leaning towards. i do really like the idea of the iphone radio controls built in to the lowrance, but not sure if im willing to spend that kind of money on it and thats really the only reason i would go with lowrance. my old boss went from a lowrance to a garmin a few years back and he said he couldnt believe how much easier the garmin was to navigate but having not really used any gps may be mo betta for learning either one.. if garmin came out with a unit that was even just a fish/depth finder with an interface to use iphone maps, weather, and audio apps on screen i think that would be killer.

Also anyone tried any of the thru hull transducers to avoid mounting on the transom?

i need to try and find a store around town that has some in stock i can go check out, cause academy dont have shit.

I appreciate all the advice fellas.

I have a Garmin Oregon 200 that's been real good. I've been using Garmin units for about 14 years and they've all been real good.

If you wanna use your phone, look at the navionics app it's as good as it gets on a phone

For a handheld GPS, I have the Garmin 60SCX and couldnt ask for better. Fishfinder - on my last rig I had the Garmin 300 c and liked it as well. I have two older handheld lowrance H2O's and both have bit the dust.

Swamp slut try west marine!!

I have a Garmin map76 that has been great!But,I be damn if today that sumabitch froze up twice on me!It is about 6 years old!

Lowrance ihunt color for handheld

Have any of yall used a Garmin E-Trex before?

Its pretty mush thier base model.
I can't see a screen that gives you a real time GPS coordinate update while you walk around, and I was wondering if there is a way to put GPS coordinates into it from a computer and mark them as waypoints?

U don't need cell service to use the gps on the navonics app on the iPhone correct??

Im running a humminbird 958c di combo. I just put it on today so I cant say much about it yet...but it is a huuuge bitch!

I just upgraded from a garmin etrex 30. Garmin's interface is about the most user friendly, however in my experience the customer service is the worst of any company I have ever delt with.

I have a delorme pn 60 as well. Very nice gps unit, but is not mac compatible so I had to purchase a garmin.