Help with affordable fish finder

[BillyBassMaster]

I have been looking at electronics recently since I got a bass boat. I want one with gps, side imaging, down imaging, but I want it to be below $700. Can you help me?

[Wayne P.]

If you want mapping capability along with the GPS function, it is tough to get within that budget with all brands with a usable display that does well for the side looking imaging technology. That takes screen width.

If mapping is not a concern, then more models/brands are available. You can have a GPS function for waypoints, tracks, and routes without a map background. That is called a Track Plotter. With mapping, that is a Chart Plotter.

I am familiar with the Humminbird Helix 5 SI GPS that has all of those for $499 MSRP. Also the Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS is $699 MSRP.  With creative shopping, you can beat those prices. I won't list those here.

Someone with knowledge of other brands with all the capabilities can post those.

 

[Scott F]

You missed the big sales by a couple of months but I think you may still be able to find a Garmin 73SV on sale. 7 inch screen, side view, down view, GPS with 17,000 lake maps built in, and now with new downloadable software, you can create and save your own high def maps that you can make yourself. I got one at Bass Pro for $450 but I saw one on sale right now at GPS City for $700. It's last years model without CHIRP but the new models are $850.

[BillyBassMaster]

22 minutes ago, Scott F said:

You missed the big sales by a couple of months but I think you may still be able to find a Garmin 73SV on sale. 7 inch screen, side view, down view, GPS with 17,000 lake maps built in, and now with new downloadable software, you can create and save your own high def maps that you can make yourself. I got one at Bass Pro for $450 but I saw one on sale right now at GPS City for $700. It's last years model without CHIRP but the new models are $850.

I just looked at that, I may just find it on ebay or amazon for a cheaper price

[carlm01]

Be careful on what you purchase on eBay   especially used , Your much better off spending a few bucks more and dealing with someone reputable , I bought a helix 7 from a dealer that was sealed in the box had put it away for use with my boat but traded in the boat and got a helix 10  sold the unit and it didn't work , I had to send it in for the guy and have it delivered to me ....can become a hassle ...

 

[frogflogger]

just bought a garmin striker 7sv - 7" screen - no maps but excellent side imaging - down imaging - regular sonar - gps - ability to make waypoints - speed - time - water temp - real clear screen - $499 everywhere -  good deal for someone like me who just wants a good depth finder with side imaging and the ability to mark waypoints - I don't care about the bells and whistles.

[NCBasseater1]

I just got a lowrance hook 7 and it has GPS,chirp sonar and down scan. I got it for like 550

[jerny5]

New to the forum, but this seemed a good place to ask. I am looking at the HB Helix 5 SI, and the Garmin Striker 5DV. Mostly fishing for bass in a really deep lake, lake Pend Oreille in Idaho, and my question is, what is the better function to have, side view, or chirp sonar for down viewing. It is a Tahoe Q5i Ski and Fish, so the sport boat look with not much in the way of mounting options, so the 7DV is out. Maps would be nice, but really looking for info on which of those two features would be the most helpful. Thanks for any info.

[Wayne P.]

The max spec depth range for Humminbird Side Imaging is 150'. It does Side Imaging, Down Imaging, 2D sonar and GPS/Mapping. Does not do CHIRP. That is the Helix 5 SI GPS you listed.

One of the Humminbird Helix 5 DI models would have the sonar features of the Garmin Striker 5DV. There is a GPS and non-GPS model.

The Garmin Striker 5DV does not do SideVu, only 2D sonar and DownVu.

[jerny5]

I guess I wasn't clear. I am trying to decide if the side viewing of the HB is worth the extra money since it also does not have CHIRP. The garmin has CHIRP, but no side view. So my question is, is the HB worth the extra money for side view with no chirp?

[Team9nine]

29 minutes ago, jerny5 said:

I guess I wasn't clear. I am trying to decide if the side viewing of the HB is worth the extra money since it also does not have CHIRP. The garmin has CHIRP, but no side view. So my question is, is the HB worth the extra money for side view with no chirp?

Just an opinion, but yes, you'll get way more benefit from a unit with side-imaging (w/o CHIRP) than you will from a CHIRP unit (w/o side-imaging).

-T9 

[Wayne P.]

I agree, any Side Imaging is better than no Side Imaging. It's all about the coverage.

1 hour ago, jerny5 said:

I guess I wasn't clear. I am trying to decide if the side viewing of the HB is worth the extra money since it also does not have CHIRP. The garmin has CHIRP, but no side view. So my question is, is the HB worth the extra money for side view with no chirp?

What is it about CHIRP that makes you think you want it?

 

[gim]

CHIRP is specifically designed for fishing and use in very deep water like the great lakes.  If you normally fish in water that is less than 40 feet, then CHIRP is not necessary.

[jerny5]

Fantastic, thank you all.

[oomph]

If you're willing to stretch your budget by $99, the Lowrance 7 Elite TI can be had for $799, which gives you the total scan transducer. Structure scan, chirp and some nice integration with the Xi5 Trolling Motor, should you ever go that route.

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lowrance-Elite-Ti-Medium-High-Sonar-GPS-Combo/2181101.uts?productVariantId=4478896&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04354072&rid=20&gclid=CIas0JWt5cwCFVdahgodzKcPbQ&gclsrc=aw.ds