GPS capable sonar at console & bow?

[senile1]

I need some advise from those of you who have networked your sonar units on your boats. I'm planning on purchasing two new sonar units soon. I was considering getting a Lowrance LMS 520c w/GPS for the console and an x510c for the bow, with the GPS puck located at the bow. The more I think about this the more I doubt my choices. I wanted to network these which would share my sonar data, but the more I think about it I'm wondering if I should place GPS capable sonars at both locations so I can mark points and share GPS information between the units as well.

I can see that it would be convenient to share the GPS data between the units, but is it really a huge benefit? For those of you who only have a GPS unit at the console, do you find that you run back to the console often to mark a location that you caught on your bow sonar?

Any other information that you all can provide regarding the networking of sonar units is appreciated as well.

[Jig Man]

I had one at the console for 2-3 years (LMS 480).  I probably had 20 wpts marked on it.

I put 2 520s on last year and now have 500 wpts.  It is so convenient especially in the wind to go wpt wpt and have that thing marked without having to run to the console or ask someone who doesn't have a clue to mark it for me.

[acar555]

You can purchase a second 520c without a gps antenna for usually less than the 510c.  They are both being discontinued as new products are replacing them for next year.  You can probably get a great deal on a system now.  Network them and you have gps at both spots.  

[senile1]

You can purchase a second 520c without a gps antenna for usually less than the 510c. They are both being discontinued as new products are replacing them for next year. You can probably get a great deal on a system now. Network them and you have gps at both spots.

The x510c is selling for $399 and the LMS 520c without the GPS is selling for $449 at Cabelas right now.  There just weren't a lot of the lms 520c's left when I was there a week ago.

[Jig Man]

You can purchase a second 520c without a gps antenna for usually less than the 510c. They are both being discontinued as new products are replacing them for next year. You can probably get a great deal on a system now. Network them and you have gps at both spots.

The x510c is selling for $399 and the LMS 520c without the GPS is selling for $449 at Cabelas right now. There just weren't a lot of the lms 520c's left when I was there a week ago.

The 520 is well worth the extra $50 for the convenience of having a gps at both places.

[Long Mike]

My first GPS purchase was the hand held Lowrance H2O.  I had it mounted at the console on my Tracker, but the screen was so small and the vibration so bad that I had to stop the boat to see where I was.  That's when I installed the LMS-522 at the console.  I love it, but on bright sunny days I still have a hell of a time navigating when at speed.  Polarized sunglasses tend to obscure the screen.

As for the H2O, I still use it on the bow.  I use it to mark the majority of my way points, and then transfer the info to the 522 later.  It's too much of a hassle to run back and forth from the bow to the console to mark WPs.

When funds allow, I will have networked bow/console units.

[HPBB]

I have a Humminbird  matrix 87c on the bow and a 787c on the dash, This year I have them networked with the "interlink", and is the best thing I have ever done.. they can share everything with each other and work great.

it is so easier and faster to just look down real quick instead of turningaround and looking at the one on the dash. also easier to mart thing, don't have to walk all over boat

[senile1]

 Thanks for the comments.  I'm thinking I will go with GPS capable units at both locations after reading what everyone thinks.