combo or separates? $600 budget.

looking to get some electronics for the boat. i've budgeted $600 and want a gps and FF or combo.

i almost exclusively fish for stripers/cats/crappie in lake murray sc.

i like the humminbird 785c2 combo unit:
Brilliant color, 640V x 480H high resolution 5" TFT display
Precision 16 Channel GPS Receiver with WAAS/EGNOS
DualBeam PLUS sonar delivers wide coverage and better bottom definition
Selectable 20° or 60° beams, or simultaneous operation
Maximum 4000 Watts peak-to-peak (500 Watts RMS) Power Output
compatible with Navionics Gold

space is somewhat limited on the console unless i use ram type mounts.

any thoughts on this unit or comparable units? experience with combo units? opinions on going with a combo versus separate units?

thanks for the input!

phishinphan

I just purchased a 787 c2i and i like it alot... You should look at jandh products before you buy.They were the cheapest I found on the 787c2i

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ky-slabseeker

I just purchased a 787 c2i and i like it alot... You should look at jandh products before you buy.They were the cheapest I found on the 787c2i

---

that is a good price.

what's your thoughts on the unit itself? does the split screen split 50/50? or is it only like the pix with approx 70% to gps?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phishinphan

that is a good price.

what's your thoughts on the unit itself? does the split screen split 50/50? or is it only like the pix with approx 70% to gps?

---

I'm not sure about that particular unit, but the split can be adjusted on all of the ones I'm familiar with.

I like a handheld GPS unit over a combo for a couple of reasons, (1) you can take your GPS spots on another boat and (2) when the water is in a deep drawdown you can walk the normally underwater spots and mark for use after the water is back up. Just MHO.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SteveJ

I like a handheld GPS unit over a combo for a couple of reasons, (1) you can take your GPS spots on another boat and (2) when the water is in a deep drawdown you can walk the normally underwater spots and mark for use after the water is back up. Just MHO.

---

I agree...Garmin GPSMAP 76S and Lowrance FF

I like seperate b/c you can have larger views typically and b/c if it goes you lose and have to replace both where in seperate you only have to replace one....same goes for upgrading/updating devices.

787 is a great unit.

That is a great unit but I bought the 777c2 and Lowrance H2O handheld and loaded it with MapSource 7.

I like the ablility of taking the handheld with me in the car.

Whatever you buy get as many pixels as you can.

787 gps sucks. Icons too big. also a hassle handling waypoints and tracks. Editing on screen sucks. Fish finder works good.

I got separate gps even though I got a 797. Same prob with 797 gps. Sucks, Icons too big. I want even use waypoint marking with unit.

Humminbird needs to take lessons from Garmin.

Other folks know this about the gps. They just not as opinionated as I am. Or, maybe they think they gonna get on Humminbird Pro Staff.:)

Your money and your choice.

My expert opinion about this matter.

I haven't had my 797 but 10 days, but I agree with Canepole on the Gps it is easy to overrun your spot etc. I use a Garmin as well. And it is nice to not have your GPS tied to the boat. Drawdowns, Hunting, Driving etc. As mentioned above, get as many pixels and as large a screen as you can afford, your eyes will not get younger.

I have 787 and it is very easy to overshoot your waypoint. Mine is on the trolling motor so it's not that I am going too fast...it just doesn't work that good. I agree with comments made about Garmin. I have a 178c mounted at the dash and it puts you right on the spot. I like the definition with my HB but the GPS has some less than desirable qualities.

I would like to have a sidescan one day but I can't see paying all that money for just sidescan and the rest of the unit be junk. Doesn't seem that anyone is really working to resolve any of the issues we have brought up here so it seems to be a mute point as of yet. If and when I decide to get a new unit a may just have to look at Lowerance. We'll see when the time comes.

The Hound