GPS / Sounder Deal

[albion]

See UPDATED POST above .... as of 1/06/07 maybe you didn't miss out on that SeaChamp 2000.

Frank I hope it arrives soon. I have seen them on the internet since I ordered mine. Stores are asking as much as $1200 for them.

[Frank C]

Frank I hope it arrives soon ....

Me too! Somebody earlier in this thread must be anxious to learn about it to, since he was surprised to receive only the depthfinder, no GPS, on his internet purchase.

Have you selected a source for the antenna? Is there only one model of antenna puck?

I want to hear if it really is just a matter of plugging-in the antenna to gain full GPS functions. If so, that means that all of those customers who bought the pure depthfinder, excluding the GPS, really have the full GPS software sleeping silently inside those depthfinders.

BoatersWorld is unloading the Seahamp 2000C on eBay right now. Seems they must have hundreds of 'em - $499 plus shipping. I'm uncertain exactly when the GPS industry rolls-over their new model year - March maybe??

[50/50]

It appears to enable the GPS you have to add the GPS module (EGC-12W GPS module) retailing at around $190 US.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

If it meets your needs as it did mine (ie: you don't really care that it has the same features as the new models sans the NMEA 2000) then even the $499 unit + $199 for the GPS antenna is a great price for a combo GPS/Sounder that typically costs over $1,200. Garmin doesn't even have a unit that can match it's screen size and resolution let alone other features for under $1,500.

[beene]

I am going to the T.O. boat show to hopefully hunt down that gps module for a good price. I am still finding that every retailer I call about their 2000cdf will say that is makes a great plotter with the added module. Then I say great, why don't you sell them and where can I get one..... silence on the other end of the phone like that's a question they were not expecting. Ummmm I'll call you back....

The manual is full of instructions on how to use the many plotter features, with optional module of course, so I have been praying I find one before the spring arrives.

g

[Catigale]

To emphasize Duane's point I think I spent $600 for my handheld Garmin 76CS 2-3 years back !!!

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

You can always get one from Lowrance direct at LEI-extras

Looks like they want $228 for the GPS module.

[albion]

Frank I hope it arrives soon ....

Me too! Somebody earlier in this thread must be anxious to learn about it to, since he was surprised to receive only the depthfinder, no GPS, on his internet purchase.

Have you selected a source for the antenna? Is there only one model of antenna puck?

I want to hear if it really is just a matter of plugging-in the antenna to gain full GPS functions. If so, that means that all of those customers who bought the pure depthfinder, excluding the GPS, really have the full GPS software sleeping silently inside those depthfinders.

BoatersWorld is unloading the Seahamp 2000C on eBay right now. Seems they must have hundreds of 'em - $499 plus shipping. I'm uncertain exactly when the GPS industry rolls-over their new model year - March maybe??

Frank, to be honest I dont have a clue what they are sending me, as far as I know I have to buy the antenna separately. also might have to get a chip for it.When it comes to boats computer electrics I am at a loss. I am hoping its got some kind of built in GPS for navigating. Bill at B4S has ordered one, so I hope he knows what we are buying. .UPDATE........... MY SEACHAMP ARRIVED LAST FRIDAY,NO ANTENNA, I JUST GOT HOME FROM THE CLEVELAND BOAT SHOW, I SPOKE TO BOATERSWORLD PEOPLE AND THEY TOLD ME I COULD HAVE GOT IT DURING THE BOAT SHOW FOR $360.00. THEY WOULD,NT GIVE ME A REBATE, SO I ASKED IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME A DEAL ON THE ANTENNA AS I HAD JUST PAID THEM $499.99 $ NOW ITS $360.00. I WAS TOLD THEY DONT HAVE THE ANTENNA AND WILL HAVE TO ORDER,NO THEY WONT GIVE ME A DEAL. I LOOKED AT MARINEDEAL.COM FOR THE ANTENNA SOMEONE ON HERE I THINK IT WAS 50/50, SAID THEY WERE SELLING FOR $189.00 BUT SEEMS LIKE THEY DONT HAVE THEM. BTW I JUST CHANGED MY USER NAME FROM EVERYMAN TO ALBION.[/u]

[50/50]

This is the best deal I have seen so far for the GPS module.



Mod's edit: correcting URL - fc

[beene]

You can always get one from Lowrance direct at LEI-extras

Looks like they want $228 for the GPS module.

Based on my experience buying the 2000cdf from BW, I am aware of what you are talking about, but very hesitant to buy from anywhere other than a business close to home.

I am keeping that lei web purchase in the US in my back pocket for now.

Thanks for the info DD. Wish me luck. I think it's a great unit, just can't wait to see what it'll do. Having trouble convincing my better half that it was a NECESSITY. I told her it's one thing to know how deep the water is where you are, but it's another to know what's ahead of you going 20mph. For now, I have just outfitted the DOG HOUSE with a 50" LCD HDTV and a mini fridge full of beer, so at least I am comfortable out here for now.

Cheers

g

[eric3a]

..

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The Eagle unit under discussion is just a traditional GPS/Sounder, not a forward looking sonar although those can be had in the $1000 range these days.

I think the look ahead feature refered to is the same as you get on any live chart plotter. From your current position on the chart a line extends on your current bearing giving you a view into any potential problems in front of you. Keep that line in the white part of the chart and you shouldn't run into anything.

As for the reason to hook your GPS to your VHF, Safety, Safety, Safety.

Now that prices are well under $200 for a DSC capable VHF there is NO reason every boat shouldn't have one. There are many cases where being able to send a distress call electronically is far better than a verbal distress call. Just a few:

Out with your kid, have a heart attack, fall overboard, hit in the head by the boom and knocked out, etc. It's much easier for a non-trained user to just flip up the red cover and push a button. Can you really say you have run through radio distress procedures with every guest on your boat? Can you rely that your child or spouse really knows where they are?

Not only does the CG get your location but every DSC boat around you also gets the information. No more guessing when rendering aid. Everyone knows right where you are.

Out at night, in fog, heavy weather? Are you really where you think you are? Chances are when you run aground it's because you got lost in the first place. Can you direct the CG to the right place? Up here even in our protected waters of the Northwest weather can often remove all reference points from view. One point looks like another, all the islands up here are covered with trees and look the same. You can get lost on a clear day with a chart right in front of you. It's a very common occurance that people report the wrong position having convinced themselves they are a certain place.

Now not only does the CG have your location but they have the details of your boat size, type, and features.

I could go on and on but I think you get the drift. A DSC VHF is a simple safety device that should be on every boat. As a recent article in the Boat US magazine said "For the price of dinner for 4 you can have a key safety device on board. Which is the better way to spend the money?"

Then there are all the non-emergency features of a DSC radio such as direct station to station calling without clogging up a hailing channel, locating your friends for a quicker party, etc.

As for ships, they are required to have an even more advanced system on board, an AIS transponder. It allows full tracking by anyone with a AIS receiver of all the ships details including location, heading, speed.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/ais/AIS ... reqmts.htm

[albion]

Very well said Duane. At the Cleveland boat show this coming week Boaters World tells me they will be selling the Uniden Oceanus for $85.00.

[Captain Steve]

Duane, did you work out the wiring details to run the signal to your DSC radio??

[eric3a]

,,