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Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:50 pm
by yorklyn
What do you guys think of this plotter/sounder ? I can purchase it with my wholesale account for $1499. Seems like a heck of a deal for a 12 inch touchscreen display. I've been trying to research it but theres not alot of info about it. Basically its a lowrance HDS 12 unit without the built in structure scan and chirp sonar but it comes with the $599 sonar hub which gives it everything the built in one has. I feel like im missing something because the regular one cost $2548?

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/lowrance- ... --16376709

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:04 pm
by gitchisum
Todd,

Most likely would be fine. I am no longer a fan of Lowrance. I think you would be better served by Garmin, raymarine, Simrad, furuno. But I understand price!!



Is this a port supply savings? If so, I want to start using your account instead of mine! :D

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:11 am
by prowlersfish
Todd , That is a great price . I check my PS price and came up with the same . With a Garmin the discount is very low :x I am a big fan of Garmin and not of Lowrance . But I believe Lowrance has come a long way . Still hear the support is sub par . Garmins is first class IMO .

With that said you just can't ignore the price . Buy the West Marine extended policy and go for it .


gitchisum If spend more on a year bases the discount improves , So I spend to save LOL

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:11 am
by prowlersfish
Todd , That is a great price . I check my PS price and came up with the same . With a Garmin the discount is very low :x I am a big fan of Garmin and not of Lowrance . But I believe Lowrance has come a long way . Still hear the support is sub par . Garmins is first class IMO .

With that said you just can't ignore the price . Buy the West Marine extended policy and go for it .

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 12:39 pm
by ready123
My only comment is that when I consider chartplotters the number one thing for me is what type of charts does it use! If it does not use the charts I want CMap/Garmin then I'm not interested no matter the price.

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 4:15 pm
by bjanakos
All the HDS-12 units are the same. The -007 designation on the part number signifies a bundle package that is available for resale by certain dealers. At that price, it's a steal of the deal and unless you are going to be using multiple transducers, you can probably flip that sonor hub on eBay for a few bucks.

Lowrance units are OK. They are the "consumer" grade line from Navico and probably on par with Garmin. A step up with be to go with Simrad, which is Navico's Pro/Commercial line or Furuno. But you will not touch a 12" display for the this price.

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 4:39 pm
by yorklyn
I dont have a chart preference at this time so its not that big of an issue. I was looking at Simirad but at this price it dont know if I can say no? I have a 5 inch lowrance on my center console and its been good to me so far.

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:03 pm
by prowlersfish
Todd , For some reason the discount on this unit ( HDS-12m) is much larger then anything else even close . even other HDS-12 units . There maybe slight differences in software and gen 2 and 3 .

I would Jump on it , because once this part number is gone so is the deal . Check the prices on other p/n HDS-12 s not much off on PS pricing .

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:09 pm
by yorklyn
I feel like im going to puke but I just spent $1499 on a HDS12 chartplotter/sounder for a boat that hasnt been in the water in 7 yrs!!! I need a drink!

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:14 pm
by yorklyn
from what I read this unit will do everything the standard hd12 will do if its has the sonar hub. the hds12M designation is "Mapping only" but with the sonar hub it has chirp and sidescan abilities. I also read that the newest lorance program update will bring it up to the new hds3 as far as speed and performance. guess we will see????

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:02 pm
by prowlersfish
yorklyn wrote:I feel like im going to puke but I just spent $1499 on a HDS12 chartplotter/sounder for a boat that hasnt been in the water in 7 yrs!!! I need a drink!
Your going to need more then that when your wife finds out :mrgreen:

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:05 pm
by yorklyn
Hell, shes the one who told me to buy it!

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 11:29 am
by prowlersfish
yorklyn wrote:Hell, shes the one who told me to buy it!

Good Woman ! I can thank mine too , as She is the one that got me the 70s that turned in to the 741xs .

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 3:24 pm
by Allen Sr
prowlersfish wrote:
yorklyn wrote:Hell, shes the one who told me to buy it!

Good Woman ! I can thank mine too , as She is the one that got me the 70s that turned in to the 741xs .
Your just spoiled Paul.................. :P :P :P

Re: Any opinions on this chart plotter?

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 4:36 pm
by prowlersfish
Yes I am .