essentials for a dashboard?

[Old Hickory]

spent quite a bit of time on the Eddie marine site last night and looked their inhouse Elite gauges over carefully. Pretty pricey. I'm leaning towards auto meter for now; but not sure. Read the Livorsi discussion on S&F and it appears livorsi, elite and another gauge maker all use auto meter; just assemble and dress up. AM appears to be the better value at this point. Still like to hear from someone regarding Teleflex.

Hick

 

[hotdaddy27]

spent quite a bit of time on the Eddie marine site last night and looked their inhouse Elite gauges over carefully. Pretty pricey. I'm leaning towards auto meter for now; but not sure. Read the Livorsi discussion on S&F and it appears livorsi, elite and another gauge maker all use auto meter; just assemble and dress up. AM appears to be the better value at this point. Still like to hear from someone regarding Teleflex.

Hick

I believe Autometer "Monster" series is the same as Livorsi.

Autometer appears to have quite a hold on the gauge industry.

One other recommendation, get the GPS compatible Speedo regardless of the brand that you choose. Even if you don't use it right away they are not much more expensive (if at all). The expensive part is the transponder.

If I remember correctly you are going with 175's....right?

What year?

The Elite series gauges may be overkill if you don't have the "smartcraft" system. I really did not get the benefits of the Elite computer system until I got the new OPTI Motor.

Hope I am not confusing you.

HD

 

[Old Hickory]

I believe Autometer "Monster" series is the same as Livorsi.

Autometer appears to have quite a hold on the gauge industry.

One other recommendation, get the GPS compatible Speedo regardless of the brand that you choose. Even if you don't use it right away they are not much more expensive (if at all). The expensive part is the transponder.

If I remember correctly you are going with 175's....right?

What year?

The Elite series gauges may be overkill if you don't have the "smartcraft" system. I really did not get the benefits of the Elite computer system until I got the new OPTI Motor.

Hope I am not confusing you.

HD

I noticed they had integrated computers w/ self diagnostic feed back on all gauges. I agree they are overkill without smartcraft; my 175 is a 1986(it's not smartcraft compatible). I havn't aquired my second motor yet; it'll be of similar year. I didn't realize you could set a GPS speedo up without GPS; Do they have a analogue back up? Do they use similar fittings; hose and pick up?

Hick

 

[hotdaddy27]

I can only speak on behalf of the Eddie Marine Elite Series, because that is what I have...

I can set the computer (little LCD screen on the Tach) to read from a water pickup, the Smartcraft (motor), or the GPS. When I first got the boat I was wired for the Smartcraft (motor) and then I went to GPS after about 3 weeks because you CAN'T TALK TRASH IF YOUR SPEEDO DOES NOT SAY GPS! LOL

If I was you, I would think about less expensive gauges, and use the money savings toward a nice GPS/Navigation unit. Then you have something useful as well as GPS speed.

Let me know what you end up with.

 

[Water Bug]

From the years of boating I've been around Auto Meter is hard to beat. As far as what to install Tach, Water presure, and Temp are all a must for any power head to live any length of time... GPS is almost a must today if you want to talk speed if not installed a nice hand held works well and is a lot cheaper.. A while back Wildman had some for sale at a fair price.. and you can carry it in any boat you will be suprised how many boats loose 10 MPH just from the weight of a GPS on board LOL

TERRY

 

[Old Hickory]

HD and WB,

I agree that I need to save my money and go w/ the AM gauges. My plan was to keep the gauges simple(just wasn't sure of the brand) and put my money into a good GPS/depth finder.

I'm going to use the Garmin GPSMap series. All of the models can also be networked to the garmin GSD 21 sonar modual. Just add the transducer kit and your good to go land or sea.

Hick

 

[Old Hickory]

Here are some pics of the Garmin GPSMAP 276c and the GSD 21 sonar; just add one of many transducer options. This is the setup I will be installing.

 

[Rob B]

Years ago when I use to fish bass tournaments, I had the Lowrance 350a/gps mounted on the dash. My unit was equip w/ depth/fish finder/gps and mapping capibilites. At that time lowrance was the"in" thing. Personally you can't go wrong with a nice GPS system on board.

 

[hotdaddy27]

Here are some pics of the Garmin GPSMAP 276c and the GSD 21 sonar; just add one of many transducer options. This is the setup I will be installing.

I like........I like!!!!
How does it mount to the dash?
A while back I was looking for a "suck cup" type system so as to eliminate drilling holes in my dash.

 

[Old Hickory]

I like........I like!!!!
How does it mount to the dash?
A while back I was looking for a "suck cup" type system so as to eliminate drilling holes in my dash.

If yo go to the garmin website http://www.garmin.com you'll find that this particular family of gps has alot of options. They have a suction cup mount as well as a beefy off road mount(probably better for rough water).

Personally you can't go wrong with a nice GPS system on board.

Robbie, I couldn't agree with you more