How critical is a gps?

I'm starting to look at sonar for my yak and I can't quite decide if I want to go in for a sonar/gps combo. I have a Garmin hand held gps that I used to use back in the days when I was guiding backpacking trips. My thought was that I could use my current gps to mark key locations (like my launch site), but that it would be stowed most of the time.

I'm thinking I can save $100 or more by getting a sonar without a gps, but will I regret it?

I'm starting to look at sonar for my yak and I can't quite decide if I want to go in for a sonar/gps combo. I have a Garmin hand held gps that I used to use back in the days when I was guiding backpacking trips. My thought was that I could use my current gps to mark key locations (like my launch site), but that it would be stowed most of the time.

I'm thinking I can save $100 or more by getting a sonar without a gps, but will I regret it?

Good question, Fishin-Jay, because I, too, have a handheld Garmin that is a couple of years old. I thought about putting it in an AquaPac so I could use it on the yak but still keep it dry and affixed to my PFD. Feedback from you pros is welcome!

Janice aka "Big J"

I see Thornley already about to pounce 

It is really personal preference. I like my FF to be my FF and my GPS to be my GPS. I keep my GPS on me in case I get separated I can give my location to rescuers. In either case you will want a backup navigation aid like a compass for the times you run out of batteries etc. 

Jay,

Here are my reasons for having a combo:

1) Just one unit to deal with on deck, so less clutter and real estate involved.
2) I get to look at sonar and track at the same time. Kind of nice when you've just paddled over some structure and need to back up.
3) Should I need to get into power save mode, I can turn off sonar. I also have my battery alarm set at 10V, giving me at least a couple hours of combination life in reserve.

Other folks like having discreet units, with the GPS being a handheld that they can use off the boat. Perhaps in case of emergency, it could be carried in a PFD. I say perhaps, as it appears a lot of folks keep their GPS in holders on the boat. Should things get ugly, I'm not convinced that someone would remember to grab their GPS as they were separated from their kayak.

But in the end, I think it boils down to personal preference.

Regards,
Scott

I see Thornley already about to pouch 

It is really personal preference. I like my FF to be my FF and my GPS to be my GPS. I keep my GPS on me in case I get separated I can give my location to rescuers. In either case you will want a backup navigation aid like a compass for the times you run out of batteries etc. 

Pounce even

I thought my response was even handed. If I have to say so myself

I see Thornley already about to pouch 

It is really personal preference. I like my FF to be my FF and my GPS to be my GPS. I keep my GPS on me in case I get separated I can give my location to rescuers. In either case you will want a backup navigation aid like a compass for the times you run out of batteries etc. 

Pounce even

I thought my response was even handed. If I have to say so myself

Very! I was hoping for a more get a compass and sextant post... 

 Jay a lot of the guys use separate units. Because it would be on your person(in PFD) along with your VHF for rescue details if separated from your boat. Any is better than none on a foggy day at sea.

 Personally I like the units together because I can mark fish, or structure, and paddle right back to it without seeing any visible cues. Plus you can see both images on the same screen at the same time, I'm more into the fishing aspect. Although I wouldn't mind having a hand held GPS back-up in case of power failure.

 Different strokes, some people soul fish, some like the gadgets. It's all good!

Man you guy's type fast!

Wow, thanks for the quick replies!

I figured there would be reasons for and against. I guess I need to think a bit more about my needs. One of the gps features that seems particularly useful to me is the ability to mark way points and then use the gps to steer me back to those points.

Right now I'm considering three different sonars in my price range, all of them are Eagles. I'm looking at the Cuda 242, Fish Easy 245 DS, and the Cuda 250 S/Map. I think the price difference between the 245 DS and the Cuda 250 S/Map is about $100. Saving $100 would help build my WAF, but deciding a year later that I want to upgrade could do some serious damage to the WAF   
Hmmmmm, decisions......

Most GPS units have a cookie crumb feature that is on by default, no need to mark your start, it takes care of that for you automagically.

Assuming I had the $ I would do both.

And remember Jay it is not a fishfinder with GPS, it is safety gear!   

Save the money and use what you got, IMO.  Make sure you put it in a dry bag.

That said, I do have a handheld GPS and the Matrix expansion GPS on my FF.  I'm glad I have both.  My FF battery died during the HMB derby and it was pretty foggy.  I have a crappy little compass on my PDF, but I'd hate to rely on that (and my no skillz) to get me home.  I really should do something about the latter.

I prefer to use the hand-held GPS....so I can use it when I'm hiking, mountain biking or even driving....that's just how I roll

The compass is a great "plan B" 

To each his/her own

Very! I was hoping for a more get a compass and sextant post... 

Of course Jay really should first purchase a compass before purchasing a sonar. A sextant would likely not be of much use in the fog


Seriously, if you don't have a compass, Jay, then at the least get a handheld unit before popping for a Sonar. Or maybe you could take the $100 you'll save by going with a discreet sonar, and put it into a deck mounted compass and some other safety gear. Can I harp on supplemental flotation and rescue training yet again?

Is that more along the lines of what you were anticipating, Bill ?

Regards,
Scott

I do also have a marine compass mounted to my yak. Before gps I remember having to use compass headings and dead reckoning in the fog, scary stuff in a boat!

Very! I was hoping for a more get a compass and sextant post... 

Is that more along the lines of what you were anticipating, Bill ?

Regards,
Scott

Thank you for conforming to my Luddite vision of you Scott! 

I do have a high quality compass (Silva Ranger), but not a mounted marine compass. I keep the compass tied into my pfd in case of emergencies. And, although it may not be perfect, I figured out that I can clip the compass under the tackle tray strap on my P15 in case I need to do some emergency navigation.

Although, I do need to take a course or read up on marine navigation. I'm reasonably accomplished in land nav from past lives as a Marine and as a backpacking guide, but I'll need to learn some of the intricacies of navigating on the water too. In an absolute worst case, I'm pretty sure I can find "east"