A decent speedo and depth gauge to buy, recommendations

[miktek]

Hi there, after a brief look there is quite a choice out there. I'm just looking for something simple that does the job for speed and depth (either 1 unit or 2 separate devices). Got good dashboard space to mount on the SR4.
Is there a particular brand to either avoid or go for. Thanks again

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by miktek

Hi there, after a brief look there is quite a choice out there. I'm just looking for something simple that does the job for speed and depth (either 1 unit or 2 separate devices). Got good dashboard space to mount on the SR4.
Is there a particular brand to either avoid or go for. Thanks again

GPS is the way to go for speed.
For depth you will need a transducer, usually transom mounted.
So by the time you've done both of the above, you might as well fit a small chart plotter/sounder combo. This will give everything you need & the effort, work, cost will be similar, if not cheaper than fitting simple gauges. Units from Garmin/Lowrance/Standard Horizon/Raymarine will all fit the bill.

[Trefor]

Hi
This is what I have on my SR 4 Deluxe which gives all the information I need

[jyasaki]

Agree with Dave. Speed through the water (which is what most aftermarket speedometers would read) is pretty meaningless unless you're in a non-current/non-tidal area. Speed over ground is much more meaningful (in most cases), and is what GPS reads. The sounder that you'll get on a chartplotter/fishfinder combo is the same that you'll get with a standalone fishfinder (reads depth - don't let the name fool you); advantage is that it's cheaper when it's all combined in one box.

jky

[9D280]

I went through the same quandary a few years ago. Looked at all sorts, and ended up with a used Lowrance plotter / sounder "all in one" with a Garmin 12 as a backup!

I set it up to show the depth & speed in "big font" at the top corners of the screen & left the rest of the 5 inches to the map. Also takes up about the same console space as the two big round dials would.


Another option I looked at was to use some NMEA2K kit - not a cheap option, but a "multipurpose display" + NMEA sounder module + GPS module + NMEA 2K Power pack would show all you need it to in a 2 or 3 " dial. Compact, but not cheap!