Hello all,

I am a student writing a proposal for a research project. I will be creating a bathymetric map and digital elevation model for a decent sized lake (15m max depth). I have been searching all over for solutions but i've become overwhelmed with all the info out there!

I need to record GPS coordinate location data that can be paired with the depth to bottom data. I will be importing all my data to ArcGIS eventually, so all I need is the x,y, and z data.

Can you guys recommend a good GPS/fishfinder/chartplotter combo with a transducer for a small boat? I have a budget of $1000 for hardware. The expensive brands all seem to have a lot of functions that I probably don't need, but I'm fine with getting an expensive model as long as it can accurate record x,y,z data with good resolution.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Bad formulation.

First you must know, what are the requirements to your accuracy model (GPS and depth values). Ask your professor. After that you will see, if 1.000 $ possible.

Good news: The transfer from base datas to shapefile format is not a problem.

Have a look at reefmaster.com.au/index.php/forum/suppor...ar-unit-is-best#7804

As its not a pro survey, I'd imagine the data quality from a simple lowrance unit such as the elite will be more than adequate - and you will get one of those relatively cheaply. When you put the data through reefmaster, you can post process the depths (if you need to) and make stunning charts, or of course, just take the X,y and z values for import into arc info.

Thanks for the replies guys, sorry for my lack of response (busy semester!)

I would like the greatest accuracy possibly for the roughly $1000 budget to be used for the GPS and sonar units and equipment (anything needing to get those set up and working). Lowrance seems to have the equipment that would work for this project, and I've seen other research using Lowrance gear.

What I would really appreciate help on, and what will help narrow my options, is learning how Lowrance units with SD cards export data onto a computer, and how I can use those files to create a spreadsheet with depth, lat, and long. I am still a little overwhelmed by all the different file extension names and software for extracting data etc etc.

I will also require a unit that can collect the coordinate and depth data automatically as we drive the boat. Some units just let you sore way-points, but require you to press a button to log them. I am hoping for a unit that can log depth and coordinates once every 1-5 seconds for example.

Thank you for your replies, I hope I haven't responded too late to get more assistance!