posted 12-18-2013 01:43 PM ET (US)            

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Why Simrad or Lowrance over others like Raymarine, Garmin, etc?

Thanks, Mike

posted 12-18-2013 05:37 PM ET (US)            

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fno knows that's why.

I have Raymarine a few years old now works fine for sure but the freaking menus drive me nuts - I think they've improved that but if I were shopping I'd get me a chair and a live unit w/ manual and work all the buttons, menus and options a bout three times before I'd buy again. Or go out w/ a buddy and check gear in real time.

posted 12-19-2013 12:05 AM ET (US)            

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Frog, I am no expert on all brands. I will say that I have purchased Garmin products for the past 15 years that includes 10 hand held, automotive, and marine devices. They work great, have great maps, updates too. Only problem I have is when I buy something from them six months later it is obsolete by another new product. I did get an upgrade way back in the early days of GPS but that is the extent of their ability to come up with a product that last more than a year and half till the next electronics show. Raymarine I can not comment on as I have never even played with one. When I decided to go from my Garmin 2006 (antique and hard to read) I considered Furuno (not a lot of options for less than a 12" screen) and Simrad. A buddy recommended the Simrad and that's the way I went. I am going to get another display in January and add some bells and whistles as I can afford them. Not a lot different from the Lowrance line as far as I can tell either and that is at a different price point as well. So bottom line: Garmin, 10" screen in a 210 Outrage- perfect fit, already obsolete. Raymarine, lots of options, no personal track record. Lowrance, no personal experience other than CW input which is worthy. Simrad, three professional fisherman swear by the brand, personal experience is without any flaws.

P.S. If you go with Garmin, make sure its the latest and greatest if you want support. If that's not an issue and I can attest that the 2006 has performed almost flawlessly since day one (GPS antennae replaced, sounder module replaced, transducer replaced)

posted 12-19-2013 12:05 AM ET (US)            

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Frog, I am no expert on all brands. I will say that I have purchased Garmin products for the past 15 years that includes 10 hand held, automotive, and marine devices. They work great, have great maps, updates too. Only problem I have is when I buy something from them six months later it is obsolete by another new product. I did get an upgrade way back in the early days of GPS but that is the extent of their ability to come up with a product that last more than a year and half till the next electronics show. Raymarine I can not comment on as I have never even played with one. When I decided to go from my Garmin 2006 (antique and hard to read) I considered Furuno (not a lot of options for less than a 12" screen) and Simrad. A buddy recommended the Simrad and that's the way I went. I am going to get another display in January and add some bells and whistles as I can afford them. Not a lot different from the Lowrance line as far as I can tell either and that is at a different price point as well. So bottom line: Garmin, 10" screen in a 210 Outrage- perfect fit, already obsolete. Raymarine, lots of options, no personal track record. Lowrance, no personal experience other than CW input which is worthy. Simrad, three professional fisherman swear by the brand, personal experience is without any flaws.

P.S. If you go with Garmin, make sure its the latest and greatest if you want support. If that's not an issue and I can attest that the 2006 has performed almost flawlessly since day one (GPS antennae replaced, sounder module replaced, transducer replaced)

posted 12-19-2013 12:06 AM ET (US)            

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Frog, I am no expert on all brands. I will say that I have purchased Garmin products for the past 15 years that includes 10 hand held, automotive, and marine devices. They work great, have great maps, updates too. Only problem I have is when I buy something from them six months later it is obsolete by another new product. I did get an upgrade way back in the early days of GPS but that is the extent of their ability to come up with a product that last more than a year and half till the next electronics show. Raymarine I can not comment on as I have never even played with one. When I decided to go from my Garmin 2006 (antique and hard to read) I considered Furuno (not a lot of options for less than a 12" screen) and Simrad. A buddy recommended the Simrad and that's the way I went. I am going to get another display in January and add some bells and whistles as I can afford them. Not a lot different from the Lowrance line as far as I can tell either and that is at a different price point as well. So bottom line: Garmin, 10" screen in a 210 Outrage- perfect fit, already obsolete. Raymarine, lots of options, no personal track record. Lowrance, no personal experience other than CW input which is worthy. Simrad, three professional fisherman swear by the brand, personal experience is without any flaws.

P.S. If you go with Garmin, make sure its the latest and greatest if you want support. If that's not an issue and I can attest that the 2006 has performed almost flawlessly since day one (GPS antennae replaced, sounder module replaced, transducer replaced)