Since you all did so well with the Trolling Motor advice I figured why not ask the next obvious question … Electronics …
The 2 big dogs appear to be Lowrance & Humminbird …
Thoughts on sidescan - down imaging - 5" screen versus 7" screen … Let me know …
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Min size is at least a 7" screen. Get the biggest u can afford. Low HDS 7 is what I have. Dont know if ya got a glance the other day. If u go hds make sure its a gen2. Get the structure scan.
People like to talk about the elite 7 but i personally do not like them. Have fished 2 different boats that had them, and both boats have started having a couple “issues” with them and they arent a yr old yet.
my .02
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Currently, only Humminbird units link to the Minn Kota iLink. (edit: I see in another thread you have the Link- which can be converted to iLink if you ever choose to do so) It makes for some interesting possibilities such as storing up to 2500 waypoints that you can go back to and superlong trolling tracks. If Lakemaster ever comes and maps Murray (they have a LM map for Hartwell!), then there is a sweet iLink feature called “Follow the Contour” that allows you to lock on to a map contour line and the trolling motor will follow it. I have 2 Humminbird units, one on the bow and one on the console and really like them. They pass info to each other and to the trolling motor. I also fish with a friend who has a big 10" Lowrance and it is a great unit, too. You won’t go wrong with either of these companies top end units. IMO side scan/side imaging is cool but more useful in other types of fishing than Striper fishing- except possibly when pulling planer boards. I have SI and find really neat things to look at, but I use 2d and downimaging mostly. I totally agree with Murrymaker, I would consider 7" the minimum screen size you should even consider. You will not regret buying a big screen- even if it means waiting an extra month or two to save for a big one.
Too many interesting topics today, but here’s another 2 cents worth. Concur that the two main contenders are Lowrance and Humminbird with probably more people in the Lowrance camp while Humminbird does have some additional features.
We’ve used a Humminbird 587ci for several years. Occasionally we’d lose a GPS Connection signal, but power off/on (or a slap to the side) always recovered it. Sometimes lately, the push buttons have not been working correctly. Again, a firm slap recovers the operation. I would expect these kind of problems common with the brand.
Bigger is better and is probably just limited by your pocketbook. As we were considering our upgrade, really weighted “structure scan” and “down scan”. We finally determined that, while it is really neat and probably beneficial, we were just not the kind of fisherpeople who would really benefit from the “structure scan”, but we did want the “down scan”.
Read many different reviews, and both brands have some detraction posted, but we decided on the Lowrance Elite 7 HDI. Hated to see murraymakers observation on a couple of these units on other boats, but I guess time will tell for us.
Pattianne - I upgraded from an older Hummingbird to the Lowrance HDS 7 w/ side scan and I like it. No issues (yet) been using since Feb. The side scan can be switched to down scan and this gives you a better view. Really works well around structure…