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~ Captain Paul's response to: ~ NevaEnuff ~

You are making an excellent choice with the Garmin GPSMAP 76cx. It is very fine Hand Held GPS receiver. You won’t be disappointed with your choice.

I suggest that you first consider the GARMIN’s MapSource US TOPO 2008 as the supplemental mapping program for the unit. The MapSource US Topo 2008 offers topographical type maps of the entire U.S. It is especially usefully in the Louisiana Coastal marshes as well as “on the road and on the trail” situations that you may encounter.

It is what I use in my GPS 76 and my GPSMAP 60cx. In addition to the maps, it allows you to transfer data to and from the GPS unit and you computer. That means that you can mark you waypoints and routes on the maps in the computer based MapSource topo program and download the data into the GPS unit. It is a real time saver and makes the use of the GPSMAP 76cx a really nice experience.

I suggest that you also consider the 12 volt remote power cable and the marine mount for your GPSMAP 76cx.


Go to the Garmin web site at www.garmin.com and view the information on the Fishfinder 160. You will find it listed under the “Discontinued product” section of their web site. As a discontinued model you should be able to get a nice price when purchasing the depth finder.


~ Captain Paul ~ </b>

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~ Captain Paul's response to: ~ NevaEnuff ~

The Lowrance LMS 522C iGPS Sonar/GPS Chartplotter Combo is listed on the Lowrance web site as a “Legacy” product. By that they mean that the unit is no longer in production. The unit, however, is a very nice GPS combo receiver-depth finder, and has all of the accuracy and displays of some of their newer units. As a Legacy, unit you should be able to find some real discounts on the unit. But remember that it is a unit that is no longer in production and as such there MAY not be accessories available at a later date.

The unit is or rather was offered with a selection of over 6 different types (models) of transducers as well as their accessory MapCreate USA Topo DVD Series 7 mapping software..

The MapCreate USA TOPO Series 7 is a comprehensive mapping detail program that can be loaded into the LMS 522C GPS unit. It includes US marine navigational aides, rural roads, city streets, highways, interstates and enhanced shorelines plus elevation contour lines and hunting-specific databases (including public lands, wildlife management areas and game management units). It is designed for Windows 98 or higher operating system, and it requires use of MMC-USB reader/programmer (#113-071) - other USB readers are not compatible.

The mapping program is usually sold as a bundle package that includes the card programmer and the mapping software.

The MapCreate USA topo software includes all of the Lowrance topo type maps of the U.S. and is what I recommend for fishing in the Louisiana coastal marshes. It has a built in a data transfer program that allows you to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks to and from your unit and your computer via the memory card.

~ Captain Paul ~ </b>

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<b>~ Captain Paul's response to: ~ NEVAENUFF ~

Wow! This is really a tough question to answer as there are many, many factors that go into your selection of such a combo unit.

First is what you consider a “moderate price” for such a unit. Your moderate may be different from mine. The second is what features you want in the unit. Considering the size of and weather it is a color screen would be your next consideration.

The footprint of the unit with respect to the helm area and the availability to access power and connections to a transducer would also come into play.

And then you need to research how you will use the unit. Will you be using the depth finder in deep water, say over 1000 feet or will you only be in the coastal marshes with a maximum depth of 100 -200 feet of water. That will determine the type of transducer, the power of the unit and the features in showing items between the surface and sea bottom.

The list of features and accessories can go on and on. So, I suggest that you look at the two manufacturers that sell the most consumer type GPS combo units.

Check out those offered by Garmin at www.garmin.com/
And the Lowrance line at www.lowrance.com/

Remember that you SHOULD consider the respective manufacturer’s supplemental mapping program as normally the unit only comes with a BASEMAP installed as its mapping program.

I believe that the mapping programs that are based on U.S. Topographical maps offer more detail in the Louisiana coastal marshes, so look at that type of mapping as a basis for your comparisons.

Narrow down exactly what you need or want and then get back with me.
I would be happy to discuss your selections with you.

~ Captain Paul ~ </b>