Along with checking the daytime and nighttime viewability at sea, we also determined the accuracy of each unit's depthsounder.

Not long ago, stand-alone marine electronics, like chartplotters or depth sounders, were superior to any sort of combination unit. Today, that's simply no longer the case.

Most marine electronics manufacturers package even their most capable products in some form of combination unit. This reduces overall price to the consumer and minimizes required mounting space—both are real benefits to the small boat owner.

A trickle-down effect (this one actually works) caused by the rapid advancement in electronics has also proven to be a boon to boaters. …