Search:
ShopContactWholesaleWarrantyFish FindersFAQDelivery & ReturnsMy AccountBasket

Tag: marine GPS chartplotter

  • Garmin ECHOMAP vs Lowrance HDS: Which Chartplotter Series is Best?

    Garmin ECHOMAP vs Lowrance HDS: Which Chartplotter Series is Best?

    Garmin ECHOMAP vs Lowrance HDS chartplotter series comparison

    Garmin’s ECHOMAP and Lowrance’s HDS are two of the best-selling chartplotter/fish finder combo series on the market, and both span a wide range of screen sizes and price points. Here’s how the two ranges compare.

    SeriesModelPrice
    Garmin ECHOMAPGarmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv Fish Finder Chartplotter – 7 Inch, GT54UHD Transducer£632.99
    Garmin ECHOMAPGarmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 122sv with GT56UHD-TM Transducer£2199.99
    Garmin ECHOMAPGarmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 106sv 10-Inch LiveScope Plus Bundle£2758.99
    Lowrance HDSLowrance HDS-9 PRO with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer£1954.99
    Lowrance HDSLowrance HDS PRO 9 with Active Imaging HD Transducer£2299.99
    Lowrance HDSLowrance HDS Pro 12 with Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 Transducer£3199.99

    Garmin ECHOMAP: Built for the Garmin Ecosystem

    ECHOMAP units run Garmin’s chartplotter software, with Navionics or Garmin Nautical charts and compatibility with Panoptix LiveScope live sonar — several models, like the Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 106sv 10-Inch LiveScope Plus Bundle, even come bundled with LiveScope Plus included. If you already run other Garmin devices (handhelds, watches, autopilot), the ECHOMAP series integrates seamlessly.

    Lowrance HDS: Shared Platform with Simrad and B&G

    The HDS series runs on the same underlying platform as Simrad and B&G displays, meaning the interface and networking will feel familiar if you’ve used either brand before. HDS units support Active Imaging and ActiveTarget live sonar, with C-MAP charts as standard.

    Which Should You Choose?

    • Choose ECHOMAP if you want Garmin’s ecosystem, Navionics charts, or plan to add Panoptix LiveScope — several bundles already include it.
    • Choose HDS if you want C-MAP charts, plan to network with Simrad/B&G electronics, or prefer Lowrance’s ActiveTarget live sonar system.
    • Budget-conscious: the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv Fish Finder Chartplotter – 7 Inch, GT54UHD Transducer at £632.99 is the most affordable entry point into either ecosystem on this list.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are ECHOMAP and HDS interchangeable on a network?
    No — each brand’s networking (Garmin Marine Network vs Lowrance/Simrad’s shared network) is proprietary, so mixing brands for shared sonar or radar isn’t possible.

    Which has better sonar out of the box?
    Both include capable imaging sonar in their bundled transducers — the real differentiator is which live sonar ecosystem (LiveScope vs ActiveTarget) you might want to add later.

    Do both include UK charts?
    Check the specific bundle — some include Navionics+ or C-MAP UK coverage, others require a chart card purchased separately.

    Deciding between ECHOMAP and HDS? Our team can help you weigh up ecosystem and features — browse both ranges in our online shop.

  • Best Marine GPS Under £500: Budget Chartplotter Guide

    Best Marine GPS Under £500: Budget Chartplotter Guide

    best marine GPS under 500 pounds budget chartplotter

    You don’t need to spend thousands to get proper GPS mapping on the water. Every unit below sits under £500 and includes built-in GPS for waypoint marking, basic chart plotting and finding your way home — here’s how they compare.

    UnitScreenPrice
    Deeper PRO+ 2 Smart Sonar Castable WiFi Fish FinderPhone-paired£229.99
    Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 Fish Finder with GPS4.3-inch£172.99
    Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv Fish Finder4-inch colour£172.99
    Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 TripleShot Fish Finder5-inch£287.99
    Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3 Fish Finder5-inch£287.99
    Garmin STRIKER Vivid 9sv with GT52HW-TM Transducer9-inch£436.99

    At the entry point, the Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 Fish Finder with GPS and Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv Fish Finder both sit around £172.99 and give you built-in GPS with CHIRP sonar in a compact display — enough to mark spots, track your route and read basic structure.

    Step up to £287.99 and the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 TripleShot Fish Finder or Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3 Fish Finder add a larger 5-inch screen, making charts noticeably easier to read at the helm.

    The standout at this budget is the Garmin STRIKER Vivid 9sv with GT52HW-TM Transducer — a genuinely large 9-inch display for £436.99, well under the £500 mark and proof that you don’t need to spend flagship money to get a big, clear screen at the helm.

    What You Give Up at This Budget

    • Advanced imaging sonar (MEGA Side/Down Imaging, live sonar) is generally reserved for higher-end units.
    • Preloaded detailed charts may be limited — check whether UK coastal charts are included or need a separate card.
    • Networking to add radar, autopilot or a second display is usually more limited on entry-level units.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is a budget GPS unit good enough for coastal sailing?
    For basic navigation and waypoint marking, yes — but check chart coverage carefully, and consider a fixed VHF radio and a backup handheld GPS for genuine offshore trips.

    Can I upgrade sonar later on a budget unit?
    Some support swapping to a higher-spec transducer later, but the display’s processing power ultimately limits how advanced the imaging can get — check compatibility before buying if you plan to upgrade.

    What’s the best value pick under £500?
    The Garmin STRIKER Vivid 9sv with GT52HW-TM Transducer stands out for giving a large 9-inch screen at a genuinely budget price point.

    Want help picking the right budget GPS for your boat? Our team can talk through your options — browse the full range in our online shop.

  • Garmin GPSMAP vs Simrad NSS evo3S: Flagship Chartplotter Comparison

    Garmin GPSMAP vs Simrad NSS evo3S: Flagship Chartplotter Comparison

    Garmin GPSMAP vs Simrad NSS evo3S flagship chartplotter comparison

    Garmin and Simrad are two of the biggest names in marine electronics, and both build genuinely excellent chartplotters — the choice usually comes down to ecosystem, interface preference and what you already run on the boat. Here’s how their flagship-class units stack up.

    Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder with GT56 Transducer Bundle vs Simrad NSS9 evo3S 9-Inch Chartplotter Fishfinder with C-MAP Discover Charts

    Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder with GT56 Transducer BundleSimrad NSS9 evo3S 9-Inch Chartplotter Fishfinder with C-MAP Discover Charts
    Price£2298.99£1378.99
    Screen9-inch9-inch
    Sonar includedGT56 transducer bundledActive Imaging compatible
    EcosystemGarmin ActiveCaptain, Panoptix LiveScope readySimrad/B&G/Lowrance shared platform

    The Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder with GT56 Transducer Bundle comes bundled with a GT56 transducer, so you’re getting CHIRP sonar and ClearVü scanning sonar from day one — useful if you don’t already own a compatible transducer. It also sits inside Garmin’s wider ecosystem, meaning it’s ready to add a Panoptix LiveScope live sonar system down the line without needing a different brand of display.

    The Simrad NSS9 evo3S 9-Inch Chartplotter Fishfinder with C-MAP Discover Charts runs Simrad’s evo3S platform, sharing its operating system and much of its interface with Lowrance and B&G displays — handy if other boats you use, or other electronics on board, are already in that ecosystem. It comes with C-MAP Discover charts included, and supports Simrad’s Active Imaging sonar and radar lineup for future expansion.

    Which Should You Choose?

    • Choose Garmin if you want the sonar transducer included in the box, plan to add Panoptix LiveScope live sonar later, or already run Garmin handhelds/watches that sync with ActiveCaptain.
    • Choose Simrad if you want C-MAP charts included, run other Simrad/B&G/Lowrance electronics already, or plan to add Simrad radar to the network.
    • Budget stretch: if screen size matters more than ecosystem, the Garmin GPSMAP 1242xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder (£2759.99) and Garmin GPSMAP 8616xsv GN+ 16-Inch Multifunction Display (£5196.99) step up to 12-inch and 16-inch Garmin displays for a genuinely bigger picture at the helm.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Garmin or Simrad easier to use?
    Both use touchscreen-first interfaces with physical keys as backup. Garmin’s menus lean slightly more icon-driven; Simrad’s lean on a consistent top-level menu bar. Most users adapt to either within a few outings.

    Can I mix brands on one boat?
    You can run different brands for different functions (say, a Garmin chartplotter with a separate VHF radio), but networked features like shared sonar and radar generally need same-brand displays.

    Which has better sonar out of the box?
    The Garmin comes with a transducer bundled, so it’s ready to fish immediately; the Simrad needs a compatible transducer added if you don’t already own one.

    Still weighing up Garmin vs Simrad for your boat? Our team can talk through your existing electronics and network before you commit — browse both ranges in our online shop.