Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'm thinking of adding a GPS to my toon and was wondering...... what others tooners are using? I'm reasonably sure I want a mounted type rather than hand-held but not totally opposed.

I am using a Lowrance HDS5, thus far seems fairly good, other than their support is something to be desired when answering queries.

Do you have an Android or iPhone? If so, you can download one of the Navionics apps for about $10 that includes GPS. Could be a nice cheap solution, but it's definitely not as capable as a full-featured Marine GPS unit.

yyj200 wrote:I am using a Lowrance HDS5, thus far seems fairly good, other than their support is something to be desired when answering queries.

How is the hds 5 doing? the videos i have seen make it look sort of complicated, sure i could figure it out just don't want to dedicate a lot of time learning on something that i won't be using all the time. the demo i saw was on leaving a bread crumb trail, seemed you had to go here an there an back to get in that mode. still it is my front runner an probably get one next year or in the off season.
doc

I have the Garmin 430S and I love it. If I had the room I would have bought the 530S. They both have the sounder and inland maps included.

i use the garmin 78csx. it's a handheld. i actually preferred the handheld as i have a mount on both the boat and one of the jetskis. its waterproof (IPX7 IIRC) and it floats. we also use it when we are hiking. i have nothing against the full size. if i were going to buy one though, i'd preview the maps on the web if possible and i'd zero in on a model with a quick disconnect. i'd have a hard time leaving a $500 "TAKE ME" sign on my helm.

The HDS5 does have a lot of features, I just chose the ones I prefer, which is not to cumbersome. It is a bit overwhelming at first but it is interesting to save each trip and then review them at a later time. The depth and temp info work very well. I haven't used the compass feature or steer to waypoints yet but perhaps later.

Humminbird 788c is what I use (sonar/GPS) I love it! color map is the best Ill never go back. I can drop in at any lake and just take off knowing I can easly find m way back to the boat ramp. Plus I set mine to leave a bread crumb trail I can stay on that line on my way back even after dark knowing i wont get any suprises in depth change. Like run up into 3ft of water. unless I did it on the way out.


My vote is color GPS.

I agree on the Humming bird 788 combo unit. That is what we have and it works great.

Looking at the Hummingbird they have a 788c and a 788ci......what is the difference? Not much info on their website?

I believe the difference is the CI model has the internal antenna for the GPS. and the C model has to have an external antenna.