I am think of getting a depth finder/fish finder/Gps and am trying to keep it under $200 and the Garmin Striker 4dv decent does anybody have any input on this model or some similar items under 200.
Looks like a really small screen for a ff/GPS combo. I would think about taking your $200 and looking into a larger screen used unit from someone looking to upgrade.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Humminbird makes a 5" color gps\sounder combo that can be had for $278 online. That’s $50 cheaper than most of the big retailers. About the best you’re going to do right now. It’s not worth it to go smaller in my opinion.
If I get murdered in the city, don’t go revenging in my name…
quote:
Originally posted by 40inchredsI am think of getting a depth finder/fish finder/Gps and am trying to keep it under $200
You not going t get anything you’re at all happy with. Save up.
The “under $200” part is going to tie your hands when looking for a “good” sonar/GPS combo. I’m running a Helix 7 SI on the bow and a Helix 5 sonar/GPS at the console.
Humminbird Helix 5 Sonar/GPS…
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-5-SONAR-GPS/
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Yeah after the little bit of input and further looking into on my part I think I am gonna have to raise the price bar a couple notches, and the helix 5 SI is now looking pretty good. Is the side imaging worth the extra $ so far it looks like it is from what I have been reading. The thing about not wanting to drop a lot on electronics is its going on a small fishing boat and will mainly be used in rivers and may never see outside the inlet, so having $1300 boat and putting 500 on electronics seemed redundant at first but after further consideration it really seems like I might get the value out of it. Because of after reading it seems that SI is great for river fishing and great in general.
No reason to spend $500. This is $278.21 plus $10 shipping and adequate for what you are wanting to do. Personally I don’t think you need the side scan stuff.
HUMMINBIRD HELIX 5 SONAR/GPS COMBO
•5" color TFT wide-screen LCD
•480 x 800 resolution
•256 colors
•200/83 kHz dual beam sonar
•Internal GPS + microSD card slot
•Humminbird LakeMaster cartography compatibility
•Navionics compatibility (No Platinum)
•4000 watts peak-to-peak
•1500’ depth capability
If I get murdered in the city, don’t go revenging in my name…
Do you really need a color unit? Seems like overkill to me. I fished a 5" greyscale for years. Might be all you need for the river fishing. I do like the 5" color Lowrance units a lot now.
I’ve had several brands and different sizes over the years. Based on that experience I would not get another with anything less than a 5" screen. I have a Helix5 DI/Sonar/GPS combo. Just the GPS/Sonar one was my next choice. I would get a bigger screen in grayscale before I got another 4". One thing to check/consider is you got to get in 5-7" range before you have good options on optional Nav cards that go with them. It’s good at the coast as is. Just blue on the lakes - no details or topo.
I found that my Helix5 offers Lakemaps & Navionics. I saw that and did not explore any farther. Lakemaps has every lake in SC but, the two I mainly fish!(Wateree & Santee)
I still like it a lot but, I may have gone different way if I knew that up front. Garmin or Lowrance have other lake options but, they too vary with model.
J Ford
I don’t recall anyone saying OP “needed” any of this stuff to be able to fish. Hell, we all have a bunch of things for fishing we don’t “need” so let’s not beat that horse.
As far as the SI, it’s definitely changed the way I fish. At the absolute very least, it increases you “visibility” while on the water, both fresh and salt. The first time I used my SI, I found humps and ditches and all sorts of things in areas I thought I knew pretty well. It simply gives you another perspective and a more INTEL while on the water. Again, i’m not telling anyone they “need” to have SI on their boat to be able to catch fish. I’m simply saying it has helped my fishing and I am glad I spent a little extra for it.
To echo what jford said, I like the larger display. That’s why i have the Helix 5 sonar/GPS at the console and the Helix 7 SI on the bow.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO