Lowrance FF/GPS? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dgax65 · 12-30-2009, 09:34 PM

The West Marine warranty is worth the money. The one year factory warranty that you get with most products just covers manufacturing defects. When the extended warranty kicks in, it covers everything, including accidental damage. Its like having a Craftsman fish finder. Stick your gaff through the screen....no problem. I've used the extended warranty on two Humminbird fish finders already. I'm sold.
I just picked up a Standard Horizon HX850S VHF/GPS and got the three year warranty with it.

The HDS-5 is a very nice unit. Worth the money in my opinion, but I'm not the one who has to convince your wife. The only downside that I see with the HDS line is that they replaced the thumb screw closure on the chart card door with a magnetic closure. My 527 has gone through a lot of surf and I've never had to worry about water getting in it. I'm not so sure with the magnetic closure. I'd probably just put some electrical tape over it.

Holy Mackerel · 12-31-2009, 07:15 AM

Thanks guys! It was super tempting to go with that HD unit, but I decided to get another color Garmin ff/gps as I only needed to by the head unit, because I already have transducers in boat, and Kayak that will work.

12-30-2009, 09:34 PM	#1
dgax65 Guerro Grande Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 629	The West Marine warranty is worth the money. The one year factory warranty that you get with most products just covers manufacturing defects. When the extended warranty kicks in, it covers everything, including accidental damage. Its like having a Craftsman fish finder. Stick your gaff through the screen....no problem. I've used the extended warranty on two Humminbird fish finders already. I'm sold. I just picked up a Standard Horizon HX850S VHF/GPS and got the three year warranty with it. The HDS-5 is a very nice unit. Worth the money in my opinion, but I'm not the one who has to convince your wife. The only downside that I see with the HDS line is that they replaced the thumb screw closure on the chart card door with a magnetic closure. My 527 has gone through a lot of surf and I've never had to worry about water getting in it. I'm not so sure with the magnetic closure. I'd probably just put some electrical tape over it. __________________ Douglas Gaxiola Team No Fish- Amateur Staff

12-31-2009, 07:15 AM	#2
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	Thanks guys! It was super tempting to go with that HD unit, but I decided to get another color Garmin ff/gps as I only needed to by the head unit, because I already have transducers in boat, and Kayak that will work.