Furuno GP1871F GPS and Sonar Combo

The Furuno GP1871F is pretty similar to the Furuno GP1971F that we’ve already covered here. The only major difference between the two is size. The GP1871F is a smaller unit, featuring a 7-inch display and due to this fact, it costs quite a bit less than the 9-inch model. It’s also a unit-only fish finder; it does not include a transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, WVGA color, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, LED backlight, multi-touch
• Sonar: Dual-frequency CHIRP
• Frequencies supported: 50/200 kHz, CHIRP range 40 – 225 kHz
• Depth Capability: Depends on the transducer
• Transducer: Not included
• GPS: Internal, 72 channels
• Maps: Basemap
• Power Usage: 12-24 VDC
• Power Output: 300W, 600W, or 1kW
• Routes, Waypoints, Trackpoints: 1,000; 5,000; 30,000
• Networking: NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, Wireless LAN

Sonar features

The Furuno GP1871F offers dual-frequency CHIRP sonar. It does not have, nor it supports structure scanning sonar like the Lowrance DownScan or SideScan. It supports 50 kHz and 200 kHz, which makes it a great fish finder for blue water fishing. Its CHIRP range is 40 kHz – 225 kHz.

As we’ve mentioned above, the unit does not include a transducer. It is compatible with quite a few transducer models. Among them, we can count 520-5PSD, the 520-5MSD, the 525T-PPD, or several models with a 1 kW output, such as the 526TID-HDD, the 525TID-TMD, or the 556TID-HDD.

Although this Furuno fish finder does not have structure scanning sonar, it offers quite a few useful standard sonar features. To begin with, it has the ACCU-FISH application which assigns fish icons to the targets identified as fish. Not only that, but it can also indicate their depth or size which can be quite a plus. Not all transducers are ACCU-FISH capable, though. Some of the 600 W capable ones are the 520-5PSD, 525-5PWD, and 525STID-MSD, while some of the 1 kW ones are 50/200-1T or 526TID-HDD.

The unit does not have a Circular Flasher function, but does have A-Scope. This is a vertical flasher that appears on the right side of the regular sonar view and indicates the data of the most recent sonar echo. Other features are RezBoost, great for looking for fish near the seabed, Bottom Discrimination, Bottom Zoom, Bottom Lock, Zero Line, Auto Gain, and more.

Navigation features

The first aspect to mention here is that the Furuno GP1871F is compatible with charts from C-MAP, such as the C-MAP 4D. However, it is not pre-loaded with any charts. Its plotter application does show the boundaries between water and land and offers quite a bit of info. Of course, if you will opt for a C-MAP 4D charts card, you will benefit from a lot of features such as enhanced detail, vector chart data, relief vectors, tidal streams, marine plans, and more. The unit also offers different views such as Bird’s Eye View and a 3D view.

The unit’s internal GPS receiver is a 72-channel one, with an operating frequency of 1575.42 MHz. It also has one WAAS channel. The unit also offers the possibility to save up to 1,000 routes in its memory, 30,000 waypoints, and record tracks with up to 30,000 points each. Also, each route can contain up to 50 waypoints.

The GP1971F offers autopilot integration. You can connect autopilot units such as NAVpilot 300 or NAVpilot 711C to the chartplotter unit via the CAN bus network interface and control it from the chartplotter. The unit also supports Radar; it is compatible with the Furuno DRS4W 1st Watch Wireless Radar. Plus, when connected to an AIS receiver, you can view AIS data on the Radar screen or the plotter screen.

Tidal current information is also available with this Furuno unit. If you’re going to use a chart card with tidal current info, it can be viewed on the plotter screen. If you’re not using a chart card, you can view tidal info from the C-Weather overlay.

Control unit features

The Furuno GP1871F fish finder and chartplotter features a 7-inch LCD TFT display, WVGA color, with a pixel matrix of 800H x 480V. It has a highly intuitive interface, easy to use, full touchscreen without a side keypad. It offers pre-set split-screen modes which you can customize with the most used applications for quick access.

Although the unit does not have Ethernet, it does have NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 ports so you can easily connect it to an already existing boat grid. It does not have Bluetooth connectivity but does offer wireless LAN connectivity. The wireless LAN function is available only in countries with acquired radio wave certifications, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and all the EU countries. Via this type of wireless connectivity, you can update weather information as well as get software updates for your unit. Plus, it can work via wireless connection with the Furuno DRS4W Radar.

The unit features two microSD card slots so you can use two cards simultaneously, such as a chart card and a data card. The box does not include a unit cover but a standard tilt bracket mount is included.

The Pros

• Dual-frequency CHIRP sonar;
• 50 kHz capable;
• 1 kW power output;
• Multiple useful sonar functions such as ACCU-FISH, RezBoost, Bottom Discrimination, Bottom Zoom, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Auto Gain, TrueEcho CHIRP, Zero Line, and more;
• Built-in 72-channel GPS;
• Supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS;
• Compatible with C-MAP 4D charts;
• Supports wireless Radar such as the Furuno DRS4W;
• Supports autopilots such as NAVpilot 300 and NAVpilot 711C;
• Supports AIS/DSC data;
• Tidal and weather information;
• Full touchscreen unit with an easy-to-use interface;
• Easy-to-use split-screen format – you can work with up to three applications simultaneously;
• NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 connectivity;
• Wireless LAN connectivity;
• Two microSD card slots;
• Tilt mount included.

The Cons

• Does not include a transducer;
• No structure scanning sonar;
• A chart card is not included;
• No Bluetooth connectivity.

Summary

The Furuno GP1971F is a full touchscreen fish finder and chartplotter multi-function display that offers dual-frequency CHIPR sonar, GPS, autopilot and radar connectivity, NMEA networking possibilities, and wireless LAN connectivity. It supports charts from C-MAP, as well as AIS/DSC data. It offers a 1 kW power output and supports 50 kHz transducers which makes it a great fish finder for blue water fishing.