i know there are a lot of opinions on here about graphs–think im finally going to upgrade from my eagle 480 fishelite --looking for a unit no more than $700 (even less would be great) with the mapping card installed–not worried about hooking it up to my trolling motor or any other type of of onboard networking features–just want a good dependable color graph/gps that will show the diffrence between fish and structure-- i see everybody is running the lowrance elite 5 dsi/gps for $399–is this really a good deal ? --i’m open to all suggestions but have always had good service from lowrance products–just too many features to wade thru now and dont want to make the wrong choice and get a bunch of features ill never need -hoping yall could give me some pointers about the diffrent features on these things and what they would be good for—thanks
I have the HDS-5 and absolutely love it. It should be right under your budget. Very easy to use, along with being able to see in the daylight. Best part is they have great customer service like you said. But I have actually never needed to use them for this unit. Just my 2 cents. Only thing I wish was different is that the screen was a little larger.
I would save a little more fo the HD units. Either an HDS-5 or the Humminbird 500 series HD units. I kind of lean towards the HB as they come with Di already, and the Lowrance makes you buy the side scan option seperate. Granted the side scan on the HDS is awesome, just pricey.
but im not sure ill use the side scan–have looked at several pics of it in use and it looks a little confusing!especially with a 5" screen–granted i pull boards a lot but in that case the only thing i use the graph for is locating the most bait and gps for speed --have heard the humminbirds act little strange with showing actual speed when going .3-1.0 mph --anybody have any trouble with this?—is the downscan on the 5" models (lowrance and hummingbird) clear enough to show any true detail to be worth the xtra $–i know i got a lot of ? bout this but just want to get my moneys worth–the 480 ive got does still work well and its 6 yrs old
poboy, since you’re not in a hurry, you may want to look at one of these when they come out. i’m using an eagle 642c igps right now that has a little higher resolution than yours, but the screen is the same size and i want to go to a bigger one. i will probably go with one of these
that one looks like its got everything im looking for --do yall think the price will go up when they hit the shelves ? or possibly down? just wondering if i should pre order if i decide to get that one
I thought the “x” meant that it only was a sounder and not a sounder/plotter combo; but the link shows it has a internal Gps antenna and us basemap preloaded. Am is missing something here?
Just asking because I have a buddy to is dying to start fishing out of his own boat but doesn’t want to w/o a TM and electronics. Have been looking for good deals for him and this one looks pretty good.
I personally don’t care too much for the side scan, but haven’t used it a ton; But the downscan has been worth its weight in gold…
You’re right. Looks like they messed up. Look at this link and see that all the “7X” models are described as fish finders and the “7” models are ff/plotters. The listing of features of the “7x” models is obviously wrong.
You’re right. Looks like they messed up. Look at this link and see that all the “7X” models are described as fish finders and the “7” models are ff/plotters. The listing of features of the “7x” models is obviously wrong.
Still, at $769 for the gps unit that is killer. Humminbird can’t touch it for the features and size of screen in that price range. That looks like the one you should get. Looks like you have 4 months to increase your budget.
The Gold comes preloaded with Navionics Coastal and Great Lakes for $69 more. Better to go with the $699 one and get the seperate chart card to get the Lake Murray detail.
Guess you don’t have to save up. $700 was your budget, right?
Yep wanted to stay round 700. But can prob put a few more $ together between now and then. Plus friend of mine that has been fishing w me for the past year said he would be willing to throw in a couple hundred towards it also so that will prob be my next graph. Nice to have somebody willing to split cost on the fishing addiction!but I have always heard if u wanna play u gotta pay! Will wait until they come out to buy since west marine has a price match. Will just have to find the best price online and take it to the store to let them compare. Thanks for the lead on this one. Would have never thought to check on the 2013 models coming out
Don’t forget you should be able to recover some $$ on your old unit too. I just checked on Ebay and there is a Eagle 640 color with GPS like mine that currently has 19 bids on it and is at $319 right now.
Don’t forget you should be able to recover some $$ on your old unit too. I just checked on Ebay and there is a Eagle 640 color with GPS like mine that currently has 19 bids on it and is at $319 right now.
I’ll be sporting a new unit come March fo sho.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
wont be able to sell the 480 --gonna put it on the tracker--have always wanted gps on it --make skrimpn a little easier :smiley:
I love my HDS5!! Try pricing BOE Marine they are tops as well. Bass Pro at times if you get a card will knock 10-20 % off the initial price and sometimes give you double points. Just a thought
Dang, I’ve been eying the elite 5 dsi for months now and been hoping they would come out with the bigger screen. So now I have to wait until March and spend a few hundred more bucks. Thanks alot (sarcasm).
