More Bang, Less Bucks

Chart plotter/sounder combos for less than $1500.

- Chris Landry

You can spend thousands of dollars — even tens of thousands — on marine electronics, but what if you want a big-screen chart plotter/sounder that’s easier on your wallet? Good news: Combo units with 9-inch screens can now be had for $1,500 or less, no matter which brand you prefer.

Trickle-down technology continues to improve electronics while dragging down prices. High-definition touch screens, side- and forward-viewing sonar, and radar interface are just some of the features now found in less expensive units. “Must have features that were the stars of the boat show last season on the top-tier chart plotters are showing up one year later on products that are on the other end of the price sheet,” says Dave Laska, owner of L&L Electronics, a dealer and installer in Branford, Connecticut. “I’m in the business, and it still amazes me how fast technology moves.”

The displays are larger and brighter, with sharper images. “If you’re on the water all day, screen size gains importance as the hours pass and your eyes tire,” says Steve Thomas, Simrad product line director. “That’s why for most boaters, the bigger, the better.”

Many combo units come with the same multitouch-screen technology found in today’s smartphones and tablets. The units also are built with more powerful and faster processors, redrawing charts in nanoseconds. You’ll also find the latest sonar technology at this price point, including Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse, known as CHIRP, which delivers images with enhanced detail and accuracy.