Best Unit For Under $1000?, Need Suggestions

[WhiteMike1018]

What do you think the best unit for under $1000 would be?

 

Here are my needs/expectations:

 

GPS

Side Imaging and possibly down imaging but prefer SI over DI

Must be compatible with map software (navionics, insight genesis, etc)

at least a 7 inch display

able to mark many waypoints

able to scroll through sonar history 

 

Any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

I've been thinking about:

 

Humminbird 899ci HD SI

 

I've been reading a lot of bad reviews about Lowrance but ive never owned humminbird or lowrance, someone please steer me straight.

[smallieking]

ive never liked or had much luck with hummingbird. i use lowrance excusively. i think they are much more user friendly and overall better performing then hummingbird. thats just my opinion. i own the hds 7 touch and hds 12 touch structure scan for my boat. The HDS 7 touch with Structure scan is 1200$ but def worth checking out. the great thing about the touch HDS is the structure scan is built in to the unit so you no longer need the seperate SS module. The touch screens are apart of the GEN2 family and they have mind blowing detail and insane features such as structure overlay. you can actually overlay side scan images onto your gps screen. 

 

Hummingbird has its 800 series that is in your price range and i believe offers the features you are looking for. im not real fimilar with these tho. my fishing partner runs hummingbird and hes not a fan. he doesnt get sonar when hes on plane which is horrible in my opinion. one good thing about hummingbird side imaging, its built into the same transducer as traditional sonar. unlike the HDS touch where you have two transducers, but once they are installed theres no issues at all running two transducers.

[WhiteMike1018]

Thinking maybe the Lowrance Elite 7 CHIRP model might be the one

 

still open to suggestions as I havent decided yet, Amazon wants 600$ plus I guess ill have to buy the Imaging transducers also. not sure how expensive they are

[slonezp]

Lowrance is running deep discounts right now on Gen2 because they have a new Gen3 model coming out.

 

I'm a fan of HB. I run an 1198 and a 998. HB is much more user friendly than the Gen2. smallieking was referring to the touch units as being user friendly and yes they are. Consider this. If your graph needs repair after the warranty is up, HB will repair the unit for a fixed rate. Lowrance will offer you a discount on an upgrade, rather than repairing your unit. If you have a big box store near you, go in and play around with both brands and see which one you like better.

[Wayne P.]

ive never liked or had much luck with hummingbird. i use lowrance excusively. i think they are much more user friendly and overall better performing then hummingbird. thats just my opinion. i own the hds 7 touch and hds 12 touch structure scan for my boat. The HDS 7 touch with Structure scan is 1200$ but def worth checking out. the great thing about the touch HDS is the structure scan is built in to the unit so you no longer need the seperate SS module. The touch screens are apart of the GEN2 family and they have mind blowing detail and insane features such as structure overlay. you can actually overlay side scan images onto your gps screen. 

 

Hummingbird has its 800 series that is in your price range and i believe offers the features you are looking for. im not real fimilar with these tho. my fishing partner runs hummingbird and hes not a fan. he doesnt get sonar when hes on plane which is horrible in my opinion. one good thing about hummingbird side imaging, its built into the same transducer as traditional sonar. unlike the HDS touch where you have two transducers, but once they are installed theres no issues at all running two transducers.

 

If your fishing partner does not get depth readings when on plane, his tranducer is not mounted properly so it can. That goes for any sonar unit/brand.

 

For those have no experience with marine sonar, the Humminbird menus are easier to learn than the Lowrance. Brand familiarity has everything to do with ease of operation no matter which.

I use Humminbirds and the Lowrance menus are a nightmare to navigate for me.

[Bassaddict74]

The Elite 7 to me is a nice unit but has had a few glitches. Screen freezes is a big one. My buddy has 1 and he has never had an issue, he loves it,

He fishes A LOT! !   Good luck.

[Wayne P.]

The Elite 7 to me is a nice unit but has had a few glitches. Screen freezes is a big one. My buddy has 1 and he has never had an issue, he loves it,

He fishes A LOT! !   Good luck.

 

Can you add Side Scan to any of the Elite 7 models?

[WhiteMike1018]

The Humminbird models have the side scan built in correct? So I wouldnt need to spend another 500$ on seperate equipment

[Wayne P.]

The Humminbird models have the side scan built in correct? So I wouldnt need to spend another 500$ on seperate equipment

 

All the Humminbird Side Imaging models come with a single transducer that does Side Imaging, Down Imaging, 2D Sonar and temp.

 

There are at least 19 different models current and discontinued that do that.

[WhiteMike1018]

All the Humminbird Side Imaging models come with a single transducer that does Side Imaging, Down Imaging, 2D Sonar and temp.

 

There are at least 19 different models current and discontinued that do that.

 

Thanks this answers my question

 

I will most likely buy a humminbird unit, I know Lowrance is good but I feel humminbird better suits my needs for the time being

[ColdSVT]

Im playing the same game OP...i was gonna do a pair of helix units until i learned they are unlikable

Im considering the 899 si/gps combo

[Wayne P.]

Im playing the same game OP...i was gonna do a pair of helix units until i learned they are unlikable

Im considering the 899 si/gps combo

One good thing about that model and the larger display 2014 year models, is the non-SI versions can share the SI/DI/2D from a SI unit so if you want dual SI units, you only need one SI unit to supply data for both.

And all versions can support the 360 transducer (2D units, DI units, and SI units) since the 360 is an Ethernet accessory.

[ColdSVT]

One good thing about that model and the larger display 2014 year models, is the non-SI versions can share the SI/DI/2D from a SI unit so if you want dual SI units, you only need one SI unit to supply data for both.

And all versions can support the 360 transducer (2D units, DI units, and SI units) since the 360 is an Ethernet accessory.

I saw that...and thats my current plan...Si now then save for a di unit and link them

[WhiteMike1018]

One good thing about that model and the larger display 2014 year models, is the non-SI versions can share the SI/DI/2D from a SI unit so if you want dual SI units, you only need one SI unit to supply data for both.

And all versions can support the 360 transducer (2D units, DI units, and SI units) since the 360 is an Ethernet accessory.

 

Wayne will the 899ci SI DI unit beable to share data with the new helix 5?

[Wayne P.]

Wayne will the 899ci SI DI unit beable to share data with the new helix 5?

No, the Helix is not linkable to any unit with any connection.

They are "stand alone" units.

[sprint286]

i have a 899 and don't have any problems or dislikes about it. I think people expect too much from a sidescan unit and are sometimes disappointed. the hummingbird does come in the box with everything you need to mount it and go fishing (other than fuse and wire connectors) the 899 has 3 hot keys witch you preset like a radio station on your car stereo. Most sidescan units of both brands will require a second transducer to read while running at high speeds I have a third small unit in the dash so i don't run a second on my unit but i do believe they sell a Y cable to solve that problem. screen size is key on all SS units and i believe the Humminbird screens are a little wider than Lowrance of the same size lines . I would spend some time in a store playing with them if you are near one if not maybe some guys that you fish with would let you check there units out.( That didn't sound right )

[slonezp]

i have a 899 and don't have any problems or dislikes about it. I think people expect too much from a sidescan unit and are sometimes disappointed. the hummingbird does come in the box with everything you need to mount it and go fishing (other than fuse and wire connectors) the 899 has 3 hot keys witch you preset like a radio station on your car stereo. Most sidescan units of both brands will require a second transducer to read while running at high speeds I have a third small unit in the dash so i don't run a second on my unit but i do believe they sell a Y cable to solve that problem. screen size is key on all SS units and i believe the Humminbird screens are a little wider than Lowrance of the same size lines . I would spend some time in a store playing with them if you are near one if not maybe some guys that you fish with would let you check there units out.( That didn't sound right )

The disappointment stems from lack of knowledge on how the unit operates.

[WIGuide]

I've used both Humminbird and Lowrance locators. I Personally have a HDS 7 touch and I love it. My dad, who I fish with quite often has an 1198 and 898. They are great units too. I feel that as far as basic setup and understanding menus, Humminbird has the edge as well as for the clarity and distance with their SI. I feel Lowrance offers better down imaging/scan and their 2d sonar seems clearer to me. I also feel Lowrance has more ways to fine tune your system but they also nickel and dime you for a lot of stuff. To be quite honest, I'd be happy with either, and like I said I love my touch and am looking to buy another one in the spring hopefully. My best advice is to look at what features you want and find the unit that best matches your list.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I'd go with a Lowrance HDS 7 Touch gen 2.  Awesome unit and like said above the deep discounts from the newer units coming out.