Marine electronics do two jobs: help you navigate safely and help you find fish. For most recreational boats, that means a GPS chartplotter (often combined with sonar), and a VHF radio for communication and emergencies. You don't need a glass-bridge setup — you need the right screen and a reliable radio.
Marine electronics do two jobs: help you navigate safely and help you find fish. For most recreational boats, that means a GPS chartplotter (often combined with sonar), and a VHF radio for communication and emergencies. You don't need a glass-bridge setup — you need the right screen and a reliable radio.
These three cover the essentials: a do-it-all chartplotter/sonar combo, a budget GPS fishfinder, and a fixed-mount VHF with built-in GPS for safety. Screen sizes and chart regions vary by model, so match them to your boat and waters.
Proven models that balance price, durability, and real-world performance. Prices change often — tap through for the current price.
A combo chartplotter and high-detail sonar in one display — preloaded charts, quickdraw contour mapping, and crisp down/side imaging. The most versatile single screen for most boats.
A fixed-mount VHF with a built-in GPS receiver and DSC distress calling — press the red button and it broadcasts your position to nearby boats and rescue. Communication gear you hope to never need but must have.
A wallet-friendly GPS fishfinder with bright, high-contrast sonar color palettes and waypoint marking. No preloaded charts, but it maps your own contours — a great first sonar for small boats.
A chartplotter shows your position on a nautical chart for navigation. A fishfinder shows what's under the boat. Combo units do both on one screen and are the best value for most anglers — buy separates only if you want dedicated displays.
Bigger screens are easier to read at speed and let you split navigation and sonar side by side, but they cost more and need dash space. A 7-inch combo is a sweet spot for small-to-midsize boats; 9 inches and up suits bigger consoles.
A cell phone is not a substitute for a VHF radio. A fixed-mount VHF with DSC and GPS can send an automated distress call with your coordinates at the push of a button, and reaches other boats and the Coast Guard when cell service can't.
Sonar performance depends on the transducer and where it's mounted (transom, thru-hull, or trolling-motor). Run clean power from the battery and use the supplied fuse — most display problems trace back to poor power or a bad ground.
A fixed-mount VHF with DSC is the single most important piece of safety electronics on a boat — but it only works if it's registered with an MMSI number and connected to GPS. Set that up the day you install it, not after.
Phone apps are useful but unreliable for primary navigation — screens wash out in sun, batteries die, and signal drops offshore. A dedicated chartplotter is built for marine use and pairs with sonar and a proper VHF.
Match it to your helm space and budget. A 7-inch combo reads well on small-to-midsize boats and can split charts and sonar; step up to 9 inches or larger for bigger consoles or if you run multiple data views.
It isn't federally required on most small recreational boats, but it's strongly recommended — and if you do carry one, DSC capability plus a registered MMSI lets it send an automated distress call with your position.
CHIRP sonar transmits a sweep of frequencies instead of a single one, which gives clearer target separation and better detail. Most current fishfinders, including budget models, now use CHIRP.
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