New Fish finder help

[greywalls]

If you're looking for bang for the buck and are mainly a set-it-and-forget-it user,  I'd check out the Lowrance Hook2 9" with tripleshot xducer and Nav+. Can be had for less than $850, and ticks all the boxes you mention. Plus, it's more current, I think, than a couple of the contenders you listed. Personally, I want as many settings and functions as possible, as I like fiddling with things. But the unit above will be out of the box plug and play. To the extent you can hold off a little bit longer, you might see deals -- the recent Carbon price drops being a perfect example.

[johnr]

Aug 7, 2018 13:58:49 GMT -5 drag4striper said:

Aug 7, 2018 13:23:25 GMT -5 startingover said:

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.

Very true. It stitches the side scan info together to create downscan images. It used to be that you could buy old transducers with the downfacing element, but not anymore.

[startingover]

All great info and really helping me! I'm afraid my wife is going to hate you guys. Seems like women are all about size until they see the price tag lol From what I've heard so far, here's where I am.
I've eliminated Garmin.
I like HDS, but for the money would rather have a larger TI.
I like that you can link to ipad, hadn't thought of that.
No one has really said anything about Helix or much detail on any other HB. I saw helix is not touchpad, which I now think I want.

Hook is simple, but with the advice I've seen and knowing me, I will want to play with it more than Hook will allow.

I've never had more than a 5" screen so 7 would seem big, but I've seen MANY of you say how important a larger screen is with all the info displayed

Sooo, Unless anyone has a better idea..
I think I'm looking for a 9" Elite Ti?? That's out of my budget but sounds like it will be worth the stretch.

THANK YOU all very much for all the info!! keep commenting if you have other thoughts.

[31Airborne]

I am also a Humminbird dood. The resolution of the images on the Helix are unbelievable, almost to a point where you can ID species. It's that good. The interfaces on the HBs are much are user friendly. Superb customer service, tons of on-line training/help tools available. Recommend going w/ the biggest screen possible. You pay a little more up front but will get so much more down the road.

[drag4striper]

I have Humminbird Helix 10 mega G2N SI and like it very much. I bought it mainly for the mega down and side imaging.
I think I have gotten a handle on operating it now , so ill dive into the Autochart Live an develop some mapping of my lakes I like to fish. Humminbird also now offers a map share program with other owners. They are also easy to do updates on and recordings with.
You can Bluetooth your phone to it only for call and text alerts.

Its fun to play with the touch screens that I've seen, which helix does not offer. You gotta get a Solix for that.
But to be honest with you I use the buttons format from my other two birds and my hands are usually slime covered anyway from bait and fish. So I don't miss it. Plus the screen stays cleaner.
HBird does sell a remote for it though.
Choo Choo, and 31 Airborne both have Helix , so maybe they will chime in.
Good luck on your search.

[greywalls]

I sold my Simrad GO7 XSE with Totalscan with my boat last month. I liked it very much -- pretty much the same guts as the Lowrance, so you might keep an eye out for sales on the 9" GO XSE version...

My next unit almost definitely will be a HB Solix 10 Chirp Mega SI -- about the same as drag4striper's Helix, but touchscreen. After having the Simrad, I don't think I can go back to buttons (but everyone likes different things). The Mega images are impressive. Garmin has just come out with their "high frequency" competitor, the Ultra High Definition Scanning System with GT34UHD-TM xducer (which does have a downward-facing element). But, I trust HB more (for now). Along with the Solix 10, I also like the Lowrance Carbon 9 with StructureScan 3D. Actually, I like many others as well -- just can't afford them!

[irons]

Sounds like some of y’all need to run cameras down and get real time pictures.😂

[startingover]

Decision time...Going with Lowrance Ti total scan
7"-$799
9"-$999
Still trying to get approval on the $999:)

Does anyone know if these come with everything? Will I need to order extra power cord, mounts, anything??

THANK YOU again for all the advice!

[greywalls]

Maybe she'll bite at $938? (https://www.hodgesmarine.com/Lowrance-Elite-9-Ti-Chartplotter-Fishfinder-W-To-p/low000-13274-005.htm)

Good choice, BTW.

[bushwacker]

I wouldn’t rule out looking on bass boat central classified section I got a 7ti for like 550 I got my 12Ti and 9ti combo price for $1600. All three units brand new never registered. You can find some deals when people want to get rid of stuff. The nine and 12 were mounted on a brand new Skeeter never put in the water and the guy bought it from was sponsored by hummingbird so he took them out and sold them to me the day he picked the boat up.

[greywalls]

Yikes, BBC has some solid deals. You got an awesome deal on that combo.