Which Depth, Fish Finder & GPS Unit

[1fastmerc]

I've been doing some research on which brand and model GPS fish finder to get. Im trying to figure out which one to get. Is down imaging or side imaging or both more important. Which map card is better.

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[juicegoose]

you need to be looking at which one is best with shallow water if your going to be fishing in less then 20'. I've been researching the heck out of units and at least for BL that is gunna be a key factor in a purchase. From what I've gathered yes the side imaging and chirp are helpful. Navionics of course is a great software too.

[alphaman]

down and side is an added bonus id say, because you can identify structure that is off to the side of your boat 50+ feet on both sides, drop a waypoint and fish is later. Cant go wrong with either brand. The competition with the imaging is pretty strong right now. Garmin, the New helix or onix is pretty sweet from hummingbird and lowrance units. I have a lowrance HDS 7 touch with structure scan. no complaints

[BassYakR]

I just got the Humminbird Helix 5 Di/ GPS unit. And i really like it so far.

[meaux fishing]

I have a simrad nss7 and really like it. You can add structure scan if you want.

[alphaman]

side and down view is awesome but if you don't know what your looking for or at you may not understand it. do your research and studies on down and side imaging.

[juicegoose]

can you owners post up some images from shallow water runs on big lake?

[alphaman]

I started a thread for side and down images. they have a some 2 from me and 1 from another guy. hopefully we will get some more images in the near future.

[Elbert Chamblee]

I was on big lake last year looking around by some of the rigs and you could see the shell under and around the rig legs. Some had more than others and also saw several ditches dug buy props or something dragging the bottom in 4 or 5 foot of water. Wish I would have saved the images. Some brands you have to add different transducers for side scan. The Navionics card has a ton of detail not on factory hummingbird mapping. I use mine on side scan to find the edges of the moss, stump fields and drop-offs at the lakes. I have my transducer mounted on bottom of jack plate and does not work at high speeds. Trying to keep from knocking it off in Toledo Bend.

[juicegoose]

Ya I would love to see some shallow water images around BL.

[alphaman]

shallow water images and real time as in contour mapping of any lake you fish (meaning when every your boats in the water)!!! this info can be upload on your gps unit and you have true contour maps of the areas you fish. but there is a catch to get this info! pm for me for more details and its free.

[biggun]

If U want to have an all in one GPS and Fishfinder, with Downscan.. The Lowrance HDI Elite 7 is the ticket... Alot easier to use than the HDS touch screens etc. Way less money..

I was going to purchase this unit 2 yrs ago as I needed a new GPS.. My Furnuro 2500' color depthfinder was awesome.. But it was 4 yrs old..

I let the owner of Standard Map talk me into purchasing the Gen 2 HDS 7 touch. Of course I had to buy his chip..

Biggest Mistake of my life. I'm not a big fan of this lowrance.. Its hard to set up. As to many settings..

I have yet to mark fish arches on this finder. I regret not buy the HDI 7 because it is simplier and has all both functions in one transducer. Downscan and Fishfinder.

Lowrance's customer service SUCKS...

[dennissonnier]

I just bought the Lowrance Elite 7 Chirp. Been using it 4 days now. Really like it so far. Been messing around with logging my logging my sonar readings and downloading to Insight Genesis to make my own contour maps of local lakes.

[C-Bass2mouth]

Originally Posted by alphaman

side and down view is awesome but if you don't know what your looking for or at you may not understand it. do your research and studies on down and side imaging.

x2

[Jman121799]

I love my garmin 73dv. It doesnt have sidescan but does do dow scan, and the price was right, 700 for it, and it does all i need it to do

[jpeff31787]

the raymarines look pretty sweet. No experience with fancy electronics here. My little hummingbird 587di is pretty ok. Doesn't really help you find a ditch or anything unless you run on top of it though. Side Imaging is what you need for that kind of thing

[1fastmerc]

Sorry about not getting responding sooner. I really like the garmin and the clarity of the images. I'll have to continue my research. Thanks again for all the feed back.

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[alphaman]

I have a few shallow water images lowrance hds unit on the sonar thread.

[1fastmerc]

I received your email the other day. I looked at it when I got to work the next day. I forgot to respond back to you. I'm so sorry.

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[alphaman]

No problem bro.