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Post by startingover on Aug 6, 2018 12:41:43 GMT -5
I've read all the posts I could find and still really not sure...There a lot of them on here, but many are over 1-2 years old so in today's world may be outdated?? I'm trying to decide which model to choose. I know everyone has an opinion, but opinions of folks who use these regularly carries weight. My last boat had an HDS-5. I liked it for what I did with it, though too small. I like to fish for anything, Stripers and LM primarily. I do some live bait fishing, but mostly artificial so throwing a net is a random process for me. I fish a lot at night.
Here are things that I think are important to me. If I'm missing something critical, please don't hesitate to tell me. -I want at least a 7" screen -Downscan looks very good and I think I want this. -I've never used sidescan so I have no idea if I need that or not. -I like Navionics so it should be compatible unless you know of something better. -Should come with everything I need right out of the box (except Navionics). -I'm most familiar with how Lowrance and Hummingbird models operate, haven't used any others -I like to turn it on and have it function fairly well on standard settings, don't want to spend hours and hours trying to get an image to show up. -I really don't want to go over $800-$900
Based on this, what would you go with, and why? Thanks!! |
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irons
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Post by irons on Aug 6, 2018 19:59:08 GMT -5
I went with garmin, not any better picture or scans, but I think their maps are far superior to navionics or any of the other mfgs. The downscan and chirp were just as good as the Lowrance I had. Also for me the garmin were less expensive too. So for me it was the maps and price.
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Post by smlfishing on Aug 7, 2018 7:07:21 GMT -5
The HDS units are hard to beat but if you do not plan to network them together the Elite 7 TI with total scan is a great value. The nice part is if you have a iPad laying around you can connect it for a bigger screen and control the unit from anywhere in the boat.
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johnr
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Post by johnr on Aug 7, 2018 7:34:15 GMT -5
I have garmin and lowrance. I prefer garmin for mapping and gps accuracy. Lowrance has better sonars I think. If I was to do it again right now, I’m getting humminbirds.
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Post by startingover on Aug 7, 2018 10:01:31 GMT -5
Good info so far...John, If you have a Garmin and Lowrance, why would you change to hummingbird?
Here's where I am so far on choices, Still researching, have decided the sidescan is now worth the money...
-Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 93sv with ClearVu/SideVu Transducer- $599 (gps store). 9" which I like, great price, comes with everything? Can't use Navionics?
-Lowrance® Elite-7 Ti Medium/High Sonar/GPS Combo total scan-$799. Will take Navionics, comes with everything? but only 7"
-Humminbird® Helix™ 7 CHIRP SI Sonar/GPS G2 Combo-$699, has micro SD, 7"
-I like the Lowrance HDS gen 3, but the price!!!??
What am I missing??
thanks!
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Post by mississipi on Aug 7, 2018 10:42:34 GMT -5
I had a HDS5 also. I liked it so I kept it and added a Garmin Striker 7 w/side imaging. My first side imaging and I really like it and have caught fish when I think otherwise I would have left the area. I believe the side imaging has helped, especially at SM where the water is so clear and the fish are most times boat shy in shallow water. I have a 5' GPS and that allows me to run all 3 units on full screen without having to split any sceen. I really like the Garmin stuff but I think they are all very good. From what I understand Hummingbird has inched ahead a little on their down/side imaging.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2018 11:12:25 GMT -5
I've got a feeling you are going to get a lot of differing opinions on this. Bout like chevy, ford, dodge trucks. None are prolly gonna help you in your decision. I'm a Lowrance guy, but that's simply because that's what I started with and gotten use to. My advice would be don't go any smaller than nine inch, learn all you can about the unit you choose and understand what you are seeing on the screen, which comes with time on the water....
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irons
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Post by irons on Aug 7, 2018 11:43:51 GMT -5
Good info so far...John, If you have a Garmin and Lowrance, why would you change to hummingbird? Here's where I am so far on choices, Still researching, have decided the sidescan is now worth the money... -Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 93sv with ClearVu/SideVu Transducer- $599 (gps store). 9" which I like, great price, comes with everything? Can't use Navionics? -Lowrance® Elite-7 Ti Medium/High Sonar/GPS Combo total scan-$799. Will take Navionics, comes with everything? but only 7" -Humminbird® Helix™ 7 CHIRP SI Sonar/GPS G2 Combo-$699, has micro SD, 7" -I like the Lowrance HDS gen 3, but the price!!!?? What am I missing?? thanks! You won’t need navionics if you go with garmin, their maps are far better and more detailed. Also have way more lakes added. |
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Post by smlfishing on Aug 7, 2018 11:47:00 GMT -5
-Lowrance® Elite-7 Ti Medium/High Sonar/GPS Combo total scan-$799. Will take Navionics, comes with everything? but only 7" What am I missing?? thanks! I agree it is nicer having a bigger screen but don't forget you can hook to a larger tablet. You can use it at any location on the boat and control the unit from the tablet. Lots of good youtube video to explain how it works or I would be happy to show you if you go that route. Not necessarily pushing Lowrance its just what I have used as well. |
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Post by drag4striper on Aug 7, 2018 12:40:17 GMT -5
Check out the u tube video,
Lowrance down scan VS Clear V
7:20 mins. of good info.
I have nothing against Garmin and even have a Garmin GPS in my truck and love it.
Watching this video narrowed down my choices some when I was shopping around.
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piper
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Post by piper on Aug 7, 2018 13:00:56 GMT -5
My 2 or 1 1/2 cents. Go with the biggest screen you can afford. Also go with the most amount of features you can afford as well. Of all the equipment I can think of electronics are pretty high on the list..dont skimp. Depending on what body of water sidescan can be worth its weight in gold. I cant tell you how many schools of bait Ive missed/bypassed by a few yards. Also with the number of bends , and humps, and any other underwater features on this lake I wouldnt want to go without it. Obviously with night fishing your maps will be key but a lot of that can be mapped during the day. Lastly from me..Id look at ease of install and removal of the screen. The last couple of years have been rough on some folks with thieves on the lake. Something you can bring in at a moments notice should be considered.
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johnr
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Post by johnr on Aug 7, 2018 13:06:29 GMT -5
Good info so far...John, If you have a Garmin and Lowrance, why would you change to hummingbird? Here's where I am so far on choices, Still researching, have decided the sidescan is now worth the money... -Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 93sv with ClearVu/SideVu Transducer- $599 (gps store). 9" which I like, great price, comes with everything? Can't use Navionics? -Lowrance® Elite-7 Ti Medium/High Sonar/GPS Combo total scan-$799. Will take Navionics, comes with everything? but only 7" -Humminbird® Helix™ 7 CHIRP SI Sonar/GPS G2 Combo-$699, has micro SD, 7" -I like the Lowrance HDS gen 3, but the price!!!?? What am I missing?? thanks! Just to have mega imaging and their screen resolution. |
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Post by startingover on Aug 7, 2018 13:23:25 GMT -5
Check out the u tube video, Lowrance down scan VS Clear V 7:20 mins. of good info. I have nothing against Garmin and even have a Garmin GPS in my truck and love it. Watching this video narrowed down my choices some when I was shopping around. Wow, that's a big difference. I wonder if they did that by adjusting setting different just so make it look like Lowrance was better???
I'm learning a lot from you guys, thanks!
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Post by drag4striper on Aug 7, 2018 13:58:49 GMT -5
Check out the u tube video, Lowrance down scan VS Clear V 7:20 mins. of good info. I have nothing against Garmin and even have a Garmin GPS in my truck and love it. Watching this video narrowed down my choices some when I was shopping around. Wow, that's a big difference. I wonder if they did that by adjusting setting different just so make it look like Lowrance was better???
I'm learning a lot from you guys, thanks!
Actually what I took away from the video was that Garmin has no bottom facing element in their transducer and that space is filled in with artificially generated info. |
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Post by bushwacker on Aug 7, 2018 15:12:00 GMT -5
I can speak for the Lowrance elite TI series I started out with a single unit elite 7TI and I would connect to my iPad. It was a nice feature as long as it stayed connected but there are many times that it will lose connection and you have to reconnect many times during a fishing trip As far as sonar I really like the elite Ti series and now have an Elite12Ti on my console and I moved the 7Ti to the bow and installed an HDI ducer on my trolling motor. I have the total scan on the stern attached to the 12Ti I no longer use the iPad. As stated get the biggest unit you can afford because you’re going to want bigger. Both of these units are very easy to detach and take up at night if you have any eliteTi questions feel free to message me also I have bought three elite TI units from bass boat central forum and have got great deals and have nothing but good things to say about all the transactions. I had a 9” as well that I just sold.
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