Electronics Brands

[Jordan J Fisher]

does anyone have any thoughts as to which brand of electronics is best? Browsing at WestMarine I like the Garmin user interface. But I have only had a boat for a year so I haven’t seen the Simrad/Lowrance or Furano products in action. I’m not too impressed with raymarine which is what I currently have. Thanks for advice!

 

[Shewillbemine]

Can't go wrong. Personal preference.

Imo, Furuno is the top choice for commercial fishermen, but you'll pay a pretty penny.

I've had Lowrance before and Simrad is the saltwater division of the same company.

Now I currently use Garmin.

 

[soul troller]

I'm on my 5th boat and have used all of them .
Most will say it's what feels best to you .
Go to West and use the displays for awhile in demo mode .
I had an old 582 Furuno sounder for 20 years that was awesome. Hard to find a better fishfinder .
Used and liked Lowrance Hook 9 .
Don't like Raymarine either.
The display is only as good as the transducer .
Last rig I had 2 Garmins (one older and one brand new)
The Garmins are super user friendly IMO and their customer service / support is impressive. I had no complaints at all about the 7610xsv with xHD radar.
All the new stuff is so nice and relatively easy to use.
Good luck .
Spending money on fishing is fun and addicting.

 

[af dreamer]

I would rate Furuno and Simrad as tie for number one,raymarine next and Garmin after.JMO,Tom

 

[Jordan J Fisher]

Thanks guys. The options are overwhelming. I’ve heard good things about the furano. Seems consistent that people think it’s at the top.

 

[KID CREOLE]

I have older Furuno on my Mako, 15 or so years old, never had a single issue, not so much as blown fuse. However my GPS maxed out it's small way point storage

So I added a GP 1971 F and love it

 

[MATTANZA]

furuno

 

[meandmyself]

Ive had raymarine just junk, i like Furuno cant talk about others.

 

[Semperfifishing]

does anyone have any thoughts as to which brand of electronics is best? Browsing at WestMarine I like the Garmin user interface. But I have only had a boat for a year so I haven’t seen the Simrad/Lowrance or Furano products in action. I’m not too impressed with raymarine which is what I currently have. Thanks for advice!

What are you fishing paramaters ?

And what size screen

Do you want side and down scan?..or only traditional sonar?

 

[mahi]

For long term support and reliability, Furuno is the best. I have TZT2. Very good system.

 

[af dreamer]

FYI guys,both Furuno and Simrad and im sure other makes have a built in life of their equipment now.I think its about 7 years max.Had a friend with a early Navnet that could not be worked on anymore.My perfect working Simrad NSE if a issue is not allowed to be worked on.Think about this stuff now when your picking marine electronics.Im sure its pretty much the same with all kind of products.Im told that kitchen appliances are built now with a 5 year life.I had Furuno for 15 years and loved them.Made a switch to Simrad like 14 years ago and have had no regrets.My current boat has a NSS 12,a NSE12 and a NSE8.The reason for the NSS was my NSE was not compatable with some of the latest new stuff.I have a Xtra NSE 12 sitting in my closet now.Tom

 

[Long Beach Bob]

Had a 582 Furuno fishfinder for years that showed excellent detail...picked up stuff to 1400' while moving. My newer combo Raymarine works fine, but, I still prefer a separate standing fishfinder rather than the split screen, which works good for auto pilot/radar/gps routes...Now, looking at the Simrad with the sidescan features....like he said, the key is in selecting a good transducer...Airmar and, even West Marine techs, can give good advice on the best transducer choices for your application...

 

[af dreamer]

FYI,I bought a medium chirp to get away from the 200hz my Searchlight sonar uses.I still rely way more in my 50hz.I run then side by side and to me the med chirp was a complete waste of money as I had to buy the NSS to use it.It is one of the fancy flush with the hull that has the correct bottom angle built in and it wont work much over 12 KT where my 50 in a fairing block is good to 20KT and also reads the bottom at speed.One step forward and 2 back.Tom

 

[tuner]

Simrad NSS evo3 is hard to beat. I prefer the the Simrad menu over Garmin's. Go to West Marine in NB, they have a great selection.

FWIW, Simrad and Lowrance are not the same company. Each has a distinct heritage, both brands are currently owned by Navico.

 

[af dreamer]

My NSS is a 12in Evo3.I like the hybrid unit over straight touch screens.Tom

 

[Albiebac]

Furuno, so reliable I can't even justify replacing or upgrading.

 

[mike mitchell]

Furuno, so reliable I can't even justify replacing or upgrading. View attachment 1049336

Talk about distracted drivers!!!