Furuno GP1670F Fish Finder and GPS

The Furuno GP1670F is a fish finder and chartplotter pretty much similar to its bigger brother, the GP1870F. Basically, the only difference between the two is the diagonal of the screen, the pixel matrix, and the fact that the GP1670F lacks wireless connectivity. Even though it’s about the same price as the HELIX 7 SI GPS from Humminbird, and does not offer any advanced sonar technologies such as Side Imaging or Down Imaging, the GP1670F does come with several extra navigation features an option that other similar units do not supply. Therefore, let’s see what this GPS/fishfinder can actually do. It’s important to mention, though, that this fish finder does not come with a transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 5.7″ diagonal, 480V x 640H pixel resolution, color TFT with a 65,000 colors capacity and LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual frequency
• Depth Capability: 1200 feet (365 m)
• Frequency and Coverage: 50 kHz / 45° and 200 kHz / 11°
• Transducer: 525STID-PWD, transom type
• Power Output: 600 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 12-24 VDC: 1.0-0.5 A
• GPS: 50-Channel, Internal; 1 Channel SBAS
• Maps: Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Trackpoints: 1000, 30000, 30000

Navigation features

Although the array of navigation functions is not as inclusive as for the GP1870F, the Furuno GP1670F does offer several, extremely useful functions of this sort. To begin with, it incorporates a powerful 50-channel GPS system, supplying fast and accurate locks. It also uses SBAS for differential correction.

Charts can be observed in split-screen, similar to the sonar, and with this function, you can basically have your maps in two levels of zoom. Speaking of charts, this unit does come with a built-in base map charts pack. However, the unit does have one SD card slot, and the maps can be upgraded with a C-MAP 4D chip, from Jeppesen. C-MAP 4D is an all-in-one charts pack, supplying standard vector charts, dynamic raster charts presentations, 3D views, satellite image overlaying, and easy routing functions. There are various map views available with this unit, such as 2D, or 2D perspective, or 3D chart view, available with the basemap charts as well.

Like most units within this spec and price range, this Furuno fish finder offers the possibility to save waypoints and create routes for navigation. In fact, its internal memory can store up to 30,000 waypoints and up to 1,000 routes containing up to 50 waypoints each. On top of that, there’s a track function that allows you to record your course. Tracks are written in a breadcrumb manner, and each track can contain up to 30,000 breadcrumb points.

This unit is also AIS ready. This means that if it’s connected to an AIS transponder, it can offer navigational information of other vessels equipped with this type of transponder, within a radius of 50 nm.

Last but not least in terms of navigation functions, the Furuno GP1670F also features an anchor alarm and the Man Over Board (MOB) function, which can be very useful on the water.

Sonar features

One of the most important aspects that we have to mention here, is that the Furuno GP1670F fish finder comes with a 50/200 kHz transducer. This means it can scan pretty decent depths, up to 1200 ft. (365 m), which makes this fish finder system great for off-shore use. It’s a plastic transducer, featuring 30′ (9 m) of cable, a 10-pin connector, and an internal temperature sensor. Its part number is 525STID-PWD.

The transducer supports dual-frequency and uses two conical beams. The beam used with the 50 kHz frequency, is intended for greater depths, has an angle of 45°. This sonar beam is reliable up to 1200 ft. depth. The 200 kHz frequency operates with a narrower beam, of 11°, offering sharper returns. This sonar beam is reliable at depths up to 700 ft (213 m).

Various other sonar and sonar-related functions are Accu-Fish, Bottom Lock, Bottom Discrimination, and Temperature Graph. Accu-Fish is a function that resembles the Selective Fish ID in Humminbird units. It’s a sonar function that assigns fish icons to sonar returns interpreted as fish. Therefore, if you’re not used to sonar readings, or you don’t feel comfortable using the classic sonar view, which displays fish as arches, you can use this feature. Bottom Lock, as terminology suggests, keeps the focus on the water column near the bottom, offering a zoom view of the bottom. Conversely, the Bottom Discrimination function supplies data regarding the bottom hardness, and its structure, by 4 types – sand, mud, rock, or gravel. Last but not least, the Temperature Graph keeps track of the water temperature of the upper water substrate. It’s actually great to find currents, or keep an eye on the water temperature variation for catching certain fish.

Of course, the Furuno GP1670F does not have structure scanning sonar, such as Down Imaging or Side Imaging. But nonetheless, its traditional 2D sonar is pretty reliable for both lake fishing and off-shore fishing.

Other functions

An important function regarding the Furuno GP1670F is the NMEA 2000 CANbus, which diversifies its connectivity, making it easier to integrate into the boat’s grid. It has an IP56 proof rating, meaning that it’s dust-protected and can tolerate incidental water exposure, but not immersion. The LCD and AR glass sheets are bonded together, to provide a fogging-free operation. The display has LED backlight which makes it easy to read even in direct sunlight, and even when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The unit has an SD card slot for charts upgrade, or for waypoints, routes, and screenshots.

The Pros

In case you’ve missed any of the pluses regarding this unit, the following summary should put them all into view:

• Easy to install and use;
• Straightforward navigation through menus;
• Bright color display, LED-backlit;
• Mount included;
• Customizable analog and digital displays;
• NMEA 2000 compatible;
• One SD card slot for upgrades and data transfer;
• Dual-frequency sonar, with up to 1200 depth capabilities;
• Additional sonar features, such as Bottom Lock, Bottom Discrimination and Accu-Fish;
• Supports Temperature Graph;
• Accurate and fast 50-channel GPS, and 1SBAS;
• Large internal memory storage, being able to hold 30,000 waypoints and 1,000 routes, much more than other units within this price range;
• C-MAP 4D by Jeppesen compatible;
• AIS ready;
• Full range of alarms.

The Cons

There are several minuses regarding this unit, which wouldn’t be fair to leave out. So, here they are:

• No side view or down view technology compatibility;
• No C-Weather function, this being available only with the Furuno GP1870F;
• No sonar recording function.

Bottom Line

The Furuno GP1670F offers quite an excellent package of navigation functions, with several pluses over other units within this price/capability range. However, it only offers basic sonar, even though a fairly capable sonar, depth-wise. Therefore, if you’re looking for more sonar features, this unit might not be what you really want. On the other hand, if you want a super reliable navigation tool, this unit is definitely on to put on your shopping list.