I really do not want to spend over 600 dollars on a gps/depthfinder unit. What is the best model in my budget? Murraymaker on this forum already gave me his opinion and I just want to see what everyone elses opinions are. Mainly will be bass fishing and being able to see brushpiles and other structure is a must. Thanks in advance!
Jeremy
211 key west 175 suzuki
I have a Garmin 441s and really like it. My only regret is not getting the 541s (bigger screen). They are a good bit less than when I bought mine a couple of years ago. I am sure several folks will post and provide some ■■■■■■■■ but in the interim, I would look for reviews on the internet based on the type of fishing you like to do and what kind of performance you are looking for.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Lowrance’s Elite series are nice.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
I have the Humminbird 597ci HD DI (down imaging)
Its under $600 and a good unit. I like it a lot. In hindsight, I would have rather had the side imaging but the down imaging is a huge step from prior technology. You can clearly see a tree and its branches on the bottom.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
Personal Trout Slot Limit: 16"-20" Creel: 2
I have a lowrance elite 5 and love it.
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Garmin make GREAT GPS’s…not so with their FF’s. My favorite will always be Furuno, but I am very impressed with Lowrance
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Jeremy, I was looking in the same price range a year ago and wanted to stick with Lowrance, so the choice was pretty much between an HDS-5 or an Elite 7 HDI. I went with the E-7 and it was $625 delivered.
I really liked the idea of having a 7" screen. It also has a single transducer that does standard (broadband) sonar as well as downscan imaging. You can use a split screen and see both at once and there is also an overlay feature that allows you to overlay the downscan image over the broadband image. You can also split up the screen to view GPS/Downscan/Broadband at the same time. The drawback is you can’t add a module to get you sidescan like you can on the HDS models.
It also doesn’t have the same networking features like an HDS.
If you did want sidescan you would have to go with the HDS and I believe you would be quite a bit over your budget after adding that feature even on an HDS 5. Also, I would think 5" would make for a very busy screen running sidescan.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Edit: After posting this I decided to check out the website I bought my unit from just to see what is out there. Looks like they’re prices have gone up a bit since I bought mine.
http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-740S-GPS-Chartplotter-Combo-Unit-p/gar010-00835-03.htm
As if that ain’t bad enough… “Transducer Not Included” 
Striperskiff this would be the one that you recommend correct? Ive been looking at them for a while and believe this is the one im gonna go with
211 key west 175 suzuki
Tim,
It looks like you got one heck of a deal compared to the current price on that website.
For them to raise the price to $74,903.68, it must be one hell of a unit.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
quote:
Originally posted by beaufortjayStriperskiff this would be the one that you recommend correct? Ive been looking at them for a while and believe this is the one im gonna go with
211 key west 175 suzuki
That one there is just an Elite 7 Base model, which will just give you standard sonar and GPS. Sounds like for what you are wanting to do, you want the downscan cababilty as well so you want an Elite 7 HDI. This is the HDI model (LOW000-10966-001). Price shows $699, but changes to $617 when you add to cart, so you’re only talking $20 more to have downscan as well.
http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Lowrance-Elite-7-Base-Combo-83-200-And-455-800-p/low000-10966-001.htm
Note that this is without built in mapping. I use a Navionics chip for the lake.
They also have the E-7 HDI (Gold) with built in mapping for about $50 more. ($678 after adding to cart) LOW000-11051-001
I haven’t looked in a while, so you may want to do some searching, but I have always found this place to be some of the lowest pricing on electronics…other than that $73,000 Garmin above of course… lol
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Thanks buddy
211 key west 175 suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by Happy BobTim,
It looks like you got one heck of a deal compared to the current price on that website.
For them to raise the price to $74,903.68, it must be one hell of a unit.
The $74,903.68 model cleans the fish. It also texts valid excuses to your wife stating why you won’t be home until late. It’s worth every penny.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
If you cant afford the Simrad get the Lowrance
West marine has the lowrance elite 5 dsi with a gold chip and transducer for $349 on sale right now . I just picked one up today can’t wait to try it out !
19’ Cobia bay
quote:that is a great deal.
Originally posted by jeff462vWest marine has the lowrance elite 5 dsi with a gold chip and transducer for $349 on sale right now . I just picked one up today can’t wait to try it out !
19’ Cobia bay
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thanks
211 key west 175 suzuki