thaddeusdowning Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 I just got a new (to me) 17ft side console bass boat and am needing some help choosing eletronics. I am on a tight budget would prefer to spend no more than $200 for something new or used. I like being able to plot locations, seeing structure would be great but not a neccesary. What have you used successfully? I have seen eletronic post before but never a "budget eletronic" post so lets see who will step up! Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted December 30, 2013 Super User Posted December 30, 2013 If you want GPS/mapping and 2D sonar in that price range, you have limited choices and that would be a gray scale display and a small display size--technology has a price. Pretty much any product produced by a major name brand mfg is a good choice--Lowrance, Humminbird, Raymarine, Garmin You don't have to have used one to know its capabilities as compared to a higher price unit. For a new unit, do you shopping at a marine electronics dealer instead of a big box general sporting goods place since they typically sell below MSRP and the big box stores do not unless there is a special sale going on. The only current model that meets your requirements is the Lowrance Mark 4. Add another $100 and you can get more choices in a dual technology unit. I'll send you a PM with more details. Quote
B@ssCrzy Posted December 31, 2013 Posted December 31, 2013 If you want to go "budget" you can always go the route of buying just a regular 2d sonar like a humminbird piranhamax for under $100 and then use your smart phone for the GPS....assuming you have a smart phone. There are apps that you can use to record your locations and I know that you can buy maps of lakes for your phone as well. I think if you are wanting a decent GPS unit you are going to need to spend more than $200 or you will be disappointed in the functionality and use. 1 Quote
kickbasskid Posted January 1, 2014 Posted January 1, 2014 I agree using your phone would help you get a much better quality sonar. There is a lot of free fishing map apps out there. However, I have been to a couple lakes in Tennessee where there is no cell reception on the lake and if that is the case then this may not work for you. Quote
basshead1 Posted January 1, 2014 Posted January 1, 2014 I picked up a lowrance x4 pro on sale for $80 and I bought a used handheld delorme gps on ebay for $60 and it came with all the satellite images and charts for my area. Also check craigslist and check it often. The good deals go fast. Good luck. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted January 2, 2014 Super User Posted January 2, 2014 For the $$ I have been really happy with my Lowrance Elite 4. It's $299 most places. If you don't need/want color sonar and/or GPS you can go down to the Elite 4x which is under $200. Quote
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted January 2, 2014 BassResource.com Administrator Posted January 2, 2014 Perhaps of interest... http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/elite-series-fish-finders.html Quote
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