touch screen vs sidescan
 

Got a buddy who is trying to decide between two Garmin chartpolotter/gps/sonar units. It appears to him that with the budget he is working with, approximately $1,100-$1,300, he can either get the touchscreen version that only has dowscan sonar or the non-touchscreen version that would include sidescan also.

Since I have a Lowrance Elite 7 HDI, he was asking me for advice and I told him that I would buy "up" in technology, i.e. get the touchscreen version and forego the sidescan since he (and we) only saltwater fish and probably wouldn't have as much use of the sidescan as say a bass fisherman might have. While I don't have the touchscreen version (or the sidescan), I truly wish I had spent a few extra $$$ and got it. Paging down thru all the menus is a PIA. I think if he gets the touchscreen version, he can later add the sidescan with a "black box" and another ducer. He only wants Garmin because he has that bada$$ reef chip for the VB/MI area that is only available in Garmin version.

The two Garmin units he is considering are the 74SV (not touchscreen, but includes sidescan and transducer) at $1,100 and the 741XS, (touchscreen, but no sidescan and transducer has to be purchased separately) at $1000 + cost of transducer.

Any advice?

To all vets, thank you for your service to our country.

Check out lowrance hds 7 touch and simrad units. You can get structure scan for his price range. With that He will get down and side imaging.

I think he's dead set on Garmin.

Touchscreen is a "nice to have", while not having side scan is going backwards. Touch screen doesn't help you catch more fish. I would personally wait until I have more money and get exactly what I want.


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He is so dead set on using a Garmin because of a reef chip?

that and the fact that he is used to using a Garmin. I had a Garmin before and I can say that without a doubt, there is a real learning curve to getting used to the Lawrence since I bought my Elite 7.