Offshore and sea fishing put a premium on reliability and safety rather than the sonar sophistication that inshore bass fishing chases. Here’s the priority order we’d recommend.
1. A reliable chartplotter with AIS
Knowing where commercial traffic is matters offshore in a way it rarely does inshore. A chartplotter with AIS overlay isn’t a luxury out past the harbour — see our Best Chartplotter for UK & European Waters guide.
2. Fixed-mount VHF, plus a handheld backup
A fixed VHF with DSC is your primary means of raising the coastguard offshore. A handheld backup, ideally floating and waterproof, covers you if you have to abandon ship or the fixed unit fails. See our Fixed vs Handheld VHF guide.
3. A personal locator beacon
If you regularly fish beyond VHF range or in exposed water, a PLB is genuinely cheap insurance against the worst-case scenario. See our Best PLB guide.
Building an offshore-ready setup? Get in touch — we’ll help make sure nothing important gets missed.
Between £500 and £1,000 is where marine GPS units start to feel genuinely capable — larger screens, proper imaging sonar and, on some models, GPS charts built specifically for local waters. Here’s our pick of the best mid-range options.
Larger 7-9 inch screens that are easier to read from a distance at the helm.
Proper imaging sonar (Side/Down Imaging or MEGA Imaging) for reading structure, not just fish arches.
Better chart options, including region-specific packages like European Waterways coverage.
More capable networking for adding a second display or basic radar later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 7-inch or 9-inch screen better? 7-inch suits smaller helms and kayaks; 9-inch is easier to read at a glance from further away and gives more usable space for split-screen views.
What’s AutoChart Live? A Humminbird feature that records depth data as you drive and builds it into your own chart layer — useful on smaller lakes and rivers that lack detailed commercial charts.
Should I spend more for European Waterways charts? If you cruise rivers, canals or coastal Europe regularly, having dedicated charts included can be worth more than the price difference in convenience alone.
Want help picking the right mid-range unit for your boat? Our team can talk through screen size, charts and sonar — browse the full range in our online shop.
