~ Captain Paul's response to: ~ Cajunfisherman JR ~

Both are excellent GPS units. Both will deliver accuracy when using WAAS to within a 3 meter radius. Either should serve you well.

The choice comes to you and how you perceive the different screens. Having a Garmin GPS unit, may allow you to use some of the accessories you may already have. It would also allow you to get up and running with the same type of screens and nomenclature you are now familiar with, but the LOWRANCE offers a really fine product.

Recently, I have found that many GPS users have been selecting the GPS unit by the type of maps the unit has in the base map or the types of mapping software that are available for the unit.

I believe that NOAA charts are not the best for showing the intricate bayous, bays, lagoons, lakes and canals that make up the Louisiana Coastal marshes.

Official Marine charts, usually depicted in 1:80000 scale or larger are the best for showing ESTABLISHED MARINE WATERWAYS, where there are officially posted buoys, nuns, cans, day markers and lights. The US Coast Guard has an intricate system of keeping up the position and state of serviceability and repair of these Navigation Aids called NAVAIDS. The weekly published NOTICE TO MARINERS is a prime example of how changes and repairs are being made on these NAVAIDS.

While these charts indicate the NAVAIDS accurately and show where they are located along the established marine COMMERCIAL routes, the charts do not show the topographically of areas away from these routes. One chart that I have that was issued in 2009 shows islands which have eroded since 1985.

I believe that GPS maps that are based on USGS Topographical maps, accurately depict the land masses around the marine channels AND of the adjacent and areas not near these commercial marine channels.

I suggest that you research your choice for its GPS features AND the type of maps that are available for the unit.

Both units can be found on their respective web sites. (www.Garmin.com and www.lowrance.com

The bottom line is that you will have to make up your mind which one to go with. Do your homework and select the one that will satisfy your particular needs.

~ Captain Paul ~