Fish finder Recommendations?

[wharfrat]

Hi all,

Looking to replace my old Lowrance and since fish finders have changed a great deal since the early 90's, I'd like to get some input from the experts.  I striper fish mostly, but will also fish for crappie and bass.  I think I definitely want to get one with GPS, but I am not sure about color v black and white, and whether down imaging is worth the money.  I dont think I will get the side scan unless someone tells me I can not do without it.  Funds are not unlimited, but I would be willing to spend a few hundred bucks.  Thanks for your help.

[mwardncsu]

Lots of discussion in the electronics section - smlfishingforums.proboards.com/board/11/electronics

Budget is going to be the guiding factor here. A "few hundred bucks", assuming we're talkng about $300 or less, is going to put you in a 5" screen or smaller in the Lowrance Mark series or the very low-end of the Elite series - pretty much all in the 4" screen size range. You won't be looking at side-scan in that price range. If you want GPS (which I do recommend if you do any navigating at night).

The good thing is the Mark and Elite have the same broadband sounder technology that the higher-end units do - the downsize is you get a much smaller screen and even worse lower pixel density - which means it can't represent the data as well on the display. Color vs. greyscale is an interesting discussing in that size - you'll get more pixel density with a greyscale, but lose the benefit that color gives you in terms of ease of use, ability to distinguish types of targets (though in the lower pixel density you may lose this anyway).

I'd think hard about pushing the budget into the $500 range if you can and look at the Elite-5 HDI - at $449 (or less depending where you buy it), its a good little unit when compared to the 4" screen units.

Used may be a very good route to look at in that price-range - you can likely pick up an older LCX unit, or maybe a HDS-5 class unit.

[wharfrat]

Thanks for the quick reply--- I forgot to ask about the chart options--- I saw some of the units have some aftermarket chart options for a bit more money. Navionics Gold being one of them. Would this be a must have or just a nice to have. Looks like the Elite series comes with general maps, but I am assuming they do not contain the same detail as the aftermarket ones.

[mwardncsu]

I feel the Navionics charts are A LOT better than the Lowrance base-maps. the Lowrance Lake Insight maps are OK.

[johnr]

I just got a new Elite 7 HDI. Its the 'base' model, but it is equipped with Insight maps, downscan and 83/200 sonar. I think this is the best unit I have had among my Lowrances, comparing it to an HDS7 Gen 1 & 2 and a LCX 37C. It is definitely the best bang for the buck IMO.

Cabelas has remanufactured units on sale right now for around $400 depending on transducer options. For the money, I don't think it can be beat!

[mwardncsu]

Good idea on the reman.... I agree with you on the Elite7 being a great unit for the $$$. If you can get one for $400 with an 83/200 xducer then that's a great deal.

[johnr]

In addition, I feel that the Insight map is more than adequate for SML. I think it has 5' depth contours, and all the markers and landmarks around the lake. I never wish I had more mapping capabilites. On my old units, I had aftermarket Navionics Premium(?) cards, which I never used to their full potential.

[mwardncsu]

The only thing I'll point out is there is a difference in the "base maps" and the Insight map. The base maps do not seem to channel markers and very little detail - at least on the base maps I've seen on the HDS. They show that there is a lake there, but its leaving a lot else to be desired

[CorneliaGale]

I've got a Hummingbird unit and the base maps are not that great, I've used a different unit for the coast with regular charts and they are great, getting ready to get the chip for the lake for the hummingbird unit. The newer units do a whole lot better job than the old ones did, my advice is get the best unit you can, you won't regret it.

[Pete D.]

Wharf the digital oasis has the elite 7HDI with ducer for $480 shipped, brand new. And lowrance is doing a lucky 7 sale which will give you a $100 rebate. Just can't go wrong with that one.

[psuhntr]

I just recently got the Elite 7 and I would highly recommend it. I was able to get it slightly used for 450$ and will be getting a Navionics chip for it once I sell my old fish finder. You also have the option of downloading the Navionics App to your phone which will give you all of the benefits of having a navionics chip on your boat. The app is 10 dollars.

I am looking to sell my old unit a color Lowrance X510c for 100 dollars if you want to go that route.

[grasscutter]

I would have to agree with the rest and say the 7 is the best bang for the buck.....I have the 5 on the console and a 4 on the trolling motor....the 4 is so small I can hardly see it...yeah I'm getn old....great detail though and I can see my lure under the 4.... Very impressed with a cheap 169 unit....I would definitely go with the color version...for me it helps distinguish the difference in fish and structure vs just black and white.....

[mwdilday]

I am using a Humminbird Helix 7 SI with Lakemaster chart. Seems to work pretty good so far. Still learning.