GPS/Sonar Combos Internal GPS Issues

I was reading a thread in the HB forum about issues people have with the internal GPS in the lower priced units ($700 and under). The issues were, GPS takes forever to lock on to a signal, it’s horribly inaccurate at slow speeds, and is way off in basic mapping/tracking/waypoints. The best solution for this was to essentially abandon the internal GPS and plug the unit into an antenna/puck.

This seems pretty dumb too me, because I wouldn’t want to pay $700 for something that doesn’t work properly without having to sink an extra $150-$200 (cost of a puck) into it. So are these internal GPS issues common to all brands or is this an HB thing?

From reading that thread it appears that this is common to those HB units. Now, I really don’t want to start a Ford/Chevy argument, because I’m in the process of trying to decide for myself on a GPS/Sonar combo under $700, and I hope this stays civil.

I have no brand loyalty when it comes to this topic, just a consumer trying to make a decision.

I have a lms 520c that had an external ant,then I’ve added a HDS7 GEN1 and A HDS8 GEN2 and use their internal antennas for all 3 units, with out any noticeable differences ,so not all units have trouble.
Stan

No issues with my HDS gen 2’s after a year. But I am considering the puck for better tracking. There is a reason they still make those pucks.

biggill wrote:

No issues with my HDS gen 2’s after a year. But I am considering the puck for better tracking. There is a reason they still make those pucks.

Is the tracking pretty poor or you’re just looking for a little boost in performance? How does it do at slow/trolling speeds? Pretty consistent or are the speeds all over the place?

I know it’s a long shot, but if anyone has experience with the echomap Garmin units I’d like to hear from you as well.

I will tell you I was in the market for Garmin before I bought my lowrances. I just couldn’t find a dealer to get my hands on the product. I went with Lowrance because of the performance I been hearing about with bird. Plus I was hearing great things about Lowrance.

As far as GPS, I’m pretty happy about the current performance, I’m just looking to boost it. The biggest benefit is the 10hz upgrade from 1 or 2hz.

biggill wrote:

I will tell you I was in the market for Garmin before I bought my lowrances. I just couldn’t find a dealer to get my hands on the product. I went with Lowrance because of the performance I been hearing about with bird. Plus I was hearing great things about Lowrance.

As far as GPS, I’m pretty happy about the current performance, I’m just looking to boost it. The biggest benefit is the 10hz upgrade from 1 or 2hz.

Interesting….you’re saying 1-2 Hz for the HDS Gen 2 and from what I’ve read on the Lowrance site the HDS 2’s are supposed to be 5 Hz.

Another plus for Garmin (at least from the specs on their site) is that all their echomap units are 5Hz or 10Hz internal GPS.

I think you’re right. It is 5hz.

Have you seen this yet?

http://sites.garmin.com/en-US/panoptix/

Ok, right on.

Still…I really want to get a look at these Garmin units. Closest place for me that might have them on display is a BPS in Gurnee, IL. 1 hour drive so not too bad.

biggill wrote:

Have you seen this yet?

http://sites.garmin.com/en-US/panoptix/

Yes, that stuff looks amazing! Like I said though…with a $700 limit, I’m sure those are way out of my range.

My garmin gps/map 530s (now discontinued) has great reception with its internal antenna so I didn’t feel the need to add the external. Even while fishing in amongst the bluffs north of stillwater on the St.Croix river.
I see no reason the echomaps be any different.

My garmin gps/map 530s (now discontinued) has great reception with its internal antenna so I didn’t feel the need to add the external. Even while fishing in amongst the bluffs north of stillwater on the St.Croix river.
I see no reason the echomaps be any different.
I think an hour drive be worth the trip.

That was odd, Sorry for the double post

biggill wrote:

I will tell you I was in the market for Garmin before I bought my lowrances. I just couldn’t find a dealer to get my hands on the product. I went with Lowrance because of the performance I been hearing about with bird. Plus I was hearing great things about Lowrance.

As far as GPS, I’m pretty happy about the current performance, I’m just looking to boost it. The biggest benefit is the 10hz upgrade from 1 or 2hz.

If you want MUCH better GPS and boat orientation the Point 1 antenna from Lawrence is fantastic product. I have two HDS8 Gen2’s on my boat and added the Point 1 last year. Incredible with the orientation and speed/direction. Love it!

timmy wrote:

Holy canoli!!
Am I seeing this right.
1500 for duecer and another 1500 for the smallest monitor.

that’s comparable to onix price with way more new technology!

I’ll need to watch that video tomorrow on garmin

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>timmy wrote:</div>

Holy canoli!!
Am I seeing this right.
1500 for duecer and another 1500 for the smallest monitor.

that’s comparable to onix price with way more new technology!

I’ll need to watch that video tomorrow on garmin

internet speed has been throttled so I cant view video for the onix but by looking at onix pictures and description I think panoptix has the new technoligy in this case.

That’s what I meant but didn’t say clearly. I’ll be looking closely at garmin here in the future.