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Post by fishrx on Feb 16, 2013 22:38:57 GMT -5
I have fished for stripers for a few years on SML. Only way I have ever fished is casting flukes to points. I am ready to try fishing in warmer weather and need to buy a fish finder. My budget is really tight- can't spend more than about 350.00. I have read good things about Lowrance and Furuno. Furuno has a unit for 350.00. I would appreciate any input or advice.
Thanks!
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Post by mytoyzfishing on Feb 17, 2013 19:54:50 GMT -5
Cables has the Lowrance Elite-5x on sale for $349.00 or Humminbird 596c HD for $359.00.
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Post by grasscutter on Feb 17, 2013 22:10:21 GMT -5
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BentRod
Global Moderator
Posts: 2,252
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Post by BentRod on Feb 17, 2013 22:16:44 GMT -5
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Post by mwardncsu on Feb 17, 2013 22:44:11 GMT -5
Furuno makes some great high-end gear and perhaps has one of the better sonar circuitry based on some reputable sources. Their 5" units seem to have some good imaging & features, but am not aware of anyone running them to know how easy they are to dial-in, etc.
The Lowrance Elite-5 is a decent unit for the money. Uses the same 83/200 xducer as the HDS units. Not sure if it shares the same Broadband sounder technology as the HDS or not. I'd go with the regular sonar version vs. the DSI if you're only going to have the one unit - DSI is nice, but you're going to get more coverage and overall benefit from the traditional sonar The 5x gets you in the $350 range before rebates - the full "5" adds GPS which is quite nice on those foggy days, or at night. As Bentrod mentions, the full Elite-5 has a $100 rebate at the moment, bringing the list down to $450 after rebate. On-line (at http://www.boemarine.com), the 5 with base maps can be had for $450 before rebate getting you to your target $350 if you can wait for the rebate to show up (which will take a while), and the "Gold" (bundling a Navionics mapping card) for $515 before rebate.
The Humminbird 597ci would be of equivalent class to the Elite-5
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Post by fishrx on Feb 20, 2013 9:38:36 GMT -5
Thanks for all the information. After doing a fair amount of research, I think I am either going to buy a Mark-4 Sonar/GPS Combo or a Mark-5X Pro Sonar. I really think I can do without color for now. Do any of you use the Navionics software ? The Mark-4 is Navionics compatible, the Mark 5-X is not. However, the 5X has more power and a larger screen. I have a good handheld GPS, so I don't need that function in a fishfinder.
Thanks in advance for all the help. I also would like to know more about the SML striper club- I assume most of you are members.
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Post by striperseeker on Feb 20, 2013 9:56:42 GMT -5
Having a GPS unit built into your fish finder is really helpful especially when going long distances at night. So I would consider having GPS on the fish finder if you can find a way to afford it.
Navionics has a great ma of Smith Mountain Lake. However, the standard Lowrance map will do just fine. The Navionic map is down to one foot increments whereas I think the Lowrance is in five foot increments.
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Post by fishrx on Feb 20, 2013 10:11:57 GMT -5
Thanks striperseeker !
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Post by striperjohn on Feb 20, 2013 15:13:52 GMT -5
Just got the spring BPS add in and they have te Elite5 Dsi FF/GPS plotter on sale for 399.99-normally 599.99.
The elite 5X is on sale for 229.99.
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Post by Gotcha on Feb 23, 2013 6:14:00 GMT -5
I have the mark 5 pro!!! Spend the money on the elite!!!!  |
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