Advice needed on a new GPS unit

[ringo123]

So I recently purchased a used boat that had a 2004 model Lowrance 104c. This past weekend it worked fine on Saturday, but on Sunday it wouldn't load past the start up screen.

After reading online and trying all of the resets/methods I saw, I took it to Larry Byrd in moss bluff today (extremely nice guy btw). Tried installing the update, and it'll get past the load screen now, but now the screen is completely white. Mr. Byrd says he thinks it's fried.

I guess my first question is, have any of you ever had this issue, and if so, any ideas I may not have tried that could get it working?

If not, what are your guys thoughts/advice on a new unit? I like the lowrance that I had, but as a new boater, I don't have any experience w/ any other makes/models. Would you recommend the lowrance, or go w/ a garmin/hummingbird/etc.?

The size and styles I'm thinking about are the 10" lowrance hds and the 9" lowrance touch screen. Personally, I don't feel like I need the touch screen, but if it's that much better, let me know. Also, Larry brought up structure scan, once again, something I'm not familiar with. Is it worth the extra $475?

Fishing big lake pretty much exclusively if it helps. Thanks for any help guys.

[alphaman]

Lowrance or bird can't go wrong with either one. I have the hds7 touch and with structure scan and love. No problem at all.

[Clampy]

I like my humminbird a lot.
User friendly.
Structure scan is pretty nice.

The maps on the new Garmin are really awesome.

[meaux fishing]

two suggestions, 1. look at hodgesmarine.com best prices I have found online 2. look at the simrad nss series.

I have a nss7 and I considered every brand out there. Structure scan is nice. I think it could be useful for fishing the ship channel and the jetties, but I think the lake itself is probably too shallow for it to be very helpul

Garmins are generally the most user friendly

[Montauk17]

The raymarine dragonfly's are pretty sick too. Check em out

[ccm]

Originally Posted by Clampy

I like my humminbird a lot.
User friendly.
Structure scan is pretty nice.

The maps on the new Garmin are really awesome.

Clampy,
Which maps are you talking about?

Thanks

Charlie

[Clampy]

I'm not sure. I was just playing with my buddy's new 12" Garmin GPS and the map and display looked great. I'm gonna ask him what chip he has.