I purchased the LMS 522C for a smaller sized motor boat that I use in various South Carolina Rivers (Wacamaw, Pee Dee, parts of the Inter-coastal waterway, etc.). I like the smaller rivers because of their natural beauty and lack of boating traffic jams often seen on the Inter-Coastal Waterway. They are however, several hazards one must be aware of such as shallow depths and submerged debris which could damage your boat or at the least, damage the propeller.
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br /Although they call these units fish finders, my invisioned use of them would consist of a depth finder and sonar to view the river bottom.
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br /As I researched all of the units on the market, I found several other features that would make my boating trips safer and more efficient. So in addition to the depth and sonar features, here's some useful features one may wish to add to their unit wishlists. These features are included on the Lowrance LMS 522c
br /Bright Screen that can be read in direct sun light. - This may seem trivial however in a smaller boat, we do not always put up the bimini top, so the unit is exposed to direct sunlight. You'd be amazed at the units out there that cannot be read in direct sunlight. If you can't read the unit, it's useless. This unit is so bright; it can be read in all lighting conditions. On the reverse side, it can be dimmed for low light, night use also.
br /Water Temperature reading - Another useful feature is the water temperature reader as part of the transom mounted transducer. The unit constantly displays the water temperature. So if you want to swim, dive or ski, you're aware of the water temperature.
br /Built in GPS with Chart Plotting - The GPS capability with trail plotting capability is especially useful when navigating a river where there are multiple outlets that one can get lost in. Getting lost in these outlets can be dangerous and they often become so shallow that the prop hit the river bottom or the boat can bottom out. I use the GPS capability to keep me on course allowing me to use the back track feature to get back to the main river should I get lost. This is a very valuable feature.
br /Speed - through a separate transom mounted unit or via the GPS - the GPS has most of the features found on the GPS units we use in the car including a MPH feature so you won't have to purchase a separate transom mounted unit. Also the GPS antenna is built into the unit so no separate antenna unit is required.
br /Split Screens (pages) - I often use the split screen feature to observe the GPS maps/course and the sonar page for river depth.
br /Date and Time options on all screens - instead of looking at your watch (which I never wear when I'm boating), the time and date are displayed on the screen
br /Backup to a memory card - I often backup the recorded course plot and review it on my laptop when I get home.
br /Larger Screen - The Lowrance 522C has a 5" diagonal screen which is sufficient size to view details at a distance of one to two feet.
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br /I highly recommend this unit.
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The LMS-522C is everything the that the company advertises and the screen allows you to view it even on brite sunny days. Excellent. I just hope the company would extent their warranty.
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br /Rick Wisz, Pequannock, NJ 07440