Fish Finders/GPS Combos

Couple of questions on the above topics. Seems if most of these are mounted pretty
far forward. How do you reach the controls from your seat? Secondly,I do a lot of hiking and wonder if just going with a FF and having a handheld GPS is a good idea.
Any drawbacks to a handheld? This would allow me vesatility in both sports.
Thanks for any input.
Rich

Hi Fishnut1 -

My FF / GPS is the Eagle Cuda 250.  What seems to work for me is the FF unit installed on an area in front of me where I can see it, but out of the way for paddling and fishing.  The RAM mount I used can swivel and adjust positions so that helps too.  Z told me a year ago that as you get more comfortable on the kayak you can move around and get away with stuff you'd never thought of at first.  That's held true for me so it kind of depends on what you are comfortable with.  The location of my FF unit hasn't been as challenging as me figuring out how to get the thing to do all the stuff it's capable of.  Just remember any handheld GPS unit should be waterproof like the FF.  A surf huli cost me a vhf radio which wasn't protected.

CoosBayYaker has a different set up for his Hobie that also works slick using a cup holder on the side, and the transducer over the side too.  He likes it.  Hope this helps.  Good Luck and have fun -

Alan

I went with a handheld GPS because I already had it.  I'd think it makes it easier to input new maps and such, and cuts down on cost if you can use it for hiking too.  There is a RAM mount for nearly every brand of GPS out there.  Take a look at my setup.  As for getting to the buttons on things, I put a leg off each side, with feet in the water, and slide forward.  Never had any stability issues that way.

nicely done, Lee!

http://www.demonick.com/kayak/FF.GPS/mount.html

I have an OK T13A and found the sonar shield too far forward to mount my FF/GPS.  A couple of Scotty Compact Deck Mounts on either side between the sonar shield and the rod pod, with some RAM hardware provided a mounting option I could adjust and reach.

The RAM gear is robust.

The site isn't much.  Basically I am keeping track of what I am doing so I don't forget what I did and how I did it. 

http://www.demonick.com/kayak/FF.GPS/mount.html

 Basically I am keeping track of what I am doing so I don't forget what I did and how I did it. 

Awsome idea.  I think my New Years resolution will be to keep some kind of journal..
Brian