depthfinder/gps idea?

My new boat has a Lowrance depthfinder/gps on the console and a good
depthfinder on the front. Each has its own tranducer.

I had a thought last week - I know, a rarity for me - while fishing. I was
fishing a brush pile and had not put out a marker so I was having a tough time
staying on it. I wished my front depthfinder was paired with the one on the
console so it would show the waypoint icon for the brush pile.

Would you buy a pair of depthfinders/gps that worked together? One could be a
slave to the other, or both could work off a central unit under the console,
maybe. Seems you would only need one tranducer and one antenna for the pair.

I woulder how hard it would be to do this - how much more it would cost. I can
turn my console unit so I can see it while on the trolling motor, but it
would be nice to have both work together and to be able to put in waypoints
from either.

I think I will send this to Lowrance. What do you think?

Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

I would buy a Ram Mount and mount the GPS/depthfinder to the front and
outboard side of the drivers side of the boat. I would also mount the GPS
antenna beside the depthfinder (on the same bracket) so it could be used
from the front seat as well as the drivers seat. I have my X-15/GPS bracket
mounted to a Ram Mount and antenna at home here, would you like to see a
photo of this set-up Ronnie? This way I can use it in the truck or in any
boat, if only for the GPS nav. unit.
--
Steve

"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...

Would you buy a pair of depthfinders/gps that worked together?


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Ronnie, what you are looking for are units that support the same "NMEA"
output / input. Some (most?) Lowrance units have this ability -- you
need a Lowrance NMEA/DGPS Adapter Cable (possible part number.....NDC-1
51-92) But check your dealer or manual to be sure.

NMEA is a standard that lets GPS to be connected to autopilots, VHF
radios, and other marine gear.

What I don't know is if the set up will let you go two ways -- ie:
input a waypoint on the master and the slave -- put it is possible.

Keep in mind, GPS (with WAAS enabled) is accurate to 7 meters (a boat
length) most of the time .... some studies site less than 3 meters (A
boat beam) 95% of the time.

In RGarri7470 wrote:
My new boat has a Lowrance depthfinder/gps on the console and a good
depthfinder on the front. Each has its own tranducer.

I had a thought last week - I know, a rarity for me - while fishing.
I was fishing a brush pile and had not put out a marker so I was
having a tough time staying on it. I wished my front depthfinder was
paired with the one on the console so it would show the waypoint icon
for the brush pile.

Would you buy a pair of depthfinders/gps that worked together? One
could be a slave to the other, or both could work off a central unit
under the console, maybe. Seems you would only need one tranducer and
one antenna for the pair.

I woulder how hard it would be to do this - how much more it would
cost. I can turn my console unit so I can see it while on the
trolling motor, but it would be nice to have both work together and to
be able to put in waypoints from either.

I think I will send this to Lowrance. What do you think?

Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

I would buy a Ram Mount and mount the GPS/depthfinder to the front and
outboard side of the drivers side of the boat. I would also mount the GPS
antenna beside the depthfinder (on the same bracket) so it could be used
from the front seat as well as the drivers seat.

That is exactly what I have - but it would be a lot easier to have the display
up front where the front depthfinder is so I would not have to strain to see
it. The console is sevreal feet from where I fish in the front of my boat. I
could also stay facing forward.

Seems if I am going to have two depthfinders anyway, a slave unit would be the
way to go.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

I would buy a Ram Mount and mount the GPS/depthfinder to the front and
outboard side of the drivers side of the boat. I would also mount the GPS
antenna beside the depthfinder (on the same bracket) so it could be used
from the front seat as well as the drivers seat.

That is exactly what I have - but it would be a lot easier to have the display
up front where the front depthfinder is so I would not have to strain to see
it. The console is sevreal feet from where I fish in the front of my boat. I
could also stay facing forward.

Seems if I am going to have two depthfinders anyway, a slave unit would be the
way to go.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com