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1st bait boat gps or echo sounder? (10 posts / 2,523 views)
harveyboy
Posts: 1,540
Post #1 16 Aug 2025 21:26
0
Hi all budget around 600 so would anyone help with their preference if only one of the two was in my budget..gps or echo sounder?
mrgriff mrgriff
Posts: 3,756
Post #2 16 Aug 2025 22:11
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In reply to Post #1
You want an Echo Sounder over GPS.
Deeper is a popular option.

Go down the 2nd hand route and you can pick up some bargains.
harveyboy
Posts: 1,540
Post #3 16 Aug 2025 22:41
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In reply to Post #2
Cheers griff
christian
Posts: 1,377
Post #5 17 Aug 2025 09:03
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In reply to Post #1
You can easily add an external echo sounder such as a deeper (other much cheaper alternatives are available) to any baitboat but you cannot easily add a GPS unit.
MiniWelsh MiniWelsh
Posts: 2,383
Post #6 17 Aug 2025 12:42
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In reply to Post #1
You can get a good condition 2nd hand Actor Plus with both GPS and sonar for around that budget. The advice so far is sound, I find the sonar far more beneficial than if I had a GPS, but you can add a Deeper mount to a boat at any time if needed whereas GPS upgrades are far more expensive
mrgriff mrgriff
Posts: 3,756
Post #7 17 Aug 2025 14:36
0
Personally I dont see the need for GPS.
You can be far more accurate with a line clip and distance sticks.
harveyboy
Posts: 1,540
Post #8 17 Aug 2025 17:51
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In reply to Post #7
Making good sense chaps, thank you.
JasonM JasonM
Posts: 1,764
Post #9 17 Aug 2025 21:10
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In reply to Post #7
GPS only needed if you have autopilot which if at night you have a bite and need to accurately put your rig back on the spot it really comes into its own.
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #10 18 Aug 2025 16:08
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In reply to Post #9
Only if there are enough satellites in view and even then I wouldn't trust it based on my own experience of losing signal. continuing into obstructions and floating detritus.
Ynnek
Posts: 887
Post #11 21 Aug 2025 03:12
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In reply to Post #10
To be fair, recent technology has advanced.
It works very well. My Baitboat is equipped with a raymarine dragonfly 5, autopilot and gps.
And it is spot on, every time...
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