[herm5000]

can anyone tell me what original gps brand and model number came with the 2000 z302. I have the transducers and antenna but not the unit. Are there any upgrades that use same connections? Thanks

[ShabahZ280]

It was likely the Lowrance Globalmap series. My Z280 had a Globalmap 2000 originally equipped. I went through the same ordeal, and found it much easier to just buy a new unit and antenna, etc. It would have added nearly $100 additional in adapters and new cables just to retrofit it to the existing items, and even with that, I'd be stuck with a primitive black & white display. The new units, transducers and antennas are much more advanced and accurate than the models from 15 years ago. I ended up getting a great deal on a new Lowrance Elite 5m Gold chartplotter and haven't looked back since. It just required making a custom mounting panel out of starboard to fit in the space where the larger old unit was mounted, and mounting the new unit to it. Quick & easy!

[woodward33]

Herm,

It was no doubt a Lowrance Globalmap. I've been through 2 of them. They are still available on eBay from time to time if you look hard enough. However I would echo ShabahZ280's comments... I went through the same process, and like I said after two of them I finally moved on to a Garmin unit. I fabricated a custom mounting plate out of Starboard to mount my new unit. One flaw of the Globomap 2000 (aside from it's black/white display, being not nearly as fast at refreshing, and you need to buy a computer chip -- which can be very hard to find -- depending on what area of the country you are boating in) is that it was mounted flush in the dash, which looked great, but if you got any rain or waterspray in your cockpit the unit would fill up with water and die instantly. It wasn't very weather resistant.

Anyway, long story short, buy something new and update. You will be glad you did.

Good luck!