H. Finner Posted March 9, 2018 Posted March 9, 2018 Hi, as a newbie to fish finders, I've been researching them for a while now and am split between Lowrance and Hummingbird.The maximum I'd probably be willing to pay for one is $700, but I don't know what bells and whistles are with the ones I'm looking at. I definitely want: - 2D imaging (the normal sonar?) - GPS capability, where I can also mark certain points on the map to come back to - Side scan - Down scan - Salt water capabilty??? Not sure how that would work, but we will go out to saltwater bays and coastlines at some point - ATLEAST 7" of display or larger without breaking bank To start, I don't know if these models have all this... https://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-7-CHIRP-DI-GPS-G2N/ https://lr.factoryoutletstore.com/details/536871/lowrance-hook-2-7-7-inch-splitshot-tm-transducer.html?category_id=83409&catalogitemid=484345 https://lr.factoryoutletstore.com/details/280473/lowrance-elite-7t-touch-hdi-transducer.html?category_id=35372&catalogitemid=253380 What would be the best out of these and why? Also, do you guys have any recommendations? Thanks!! Quote
Ben Miller Posted March 10, 2018 Posted March 10, 2018 https://fishfinders.factoryoutletstore.com/details/266435/humminbird-helix-9-si-gps-kvd.html?category_id=67186&catalogitemid=239324 Quote
Roughwater Posted March 22, 2018 Posted March 22, 2018 On 3/9/2018 at 6:19 PM, H. Finner said: Hi, as a newbie to fish finders, I've been researching them for a while now and am split between Lowrance and Hummingbird.The maximum I'd probably be willing to pay for one is $700, but I don't know what bells and whistles are with the ones I'm looking at. I definitely want: - 2D imaging (the normal sonar?) - GPS capability, where I can also mark certain points on the map to come back to - Side scan - Down scan - Salt water capabilty??? Not sure how that would work, but we will go out to saltwater bays and coastlines at some point - ATLEAST 7" of display or larger without breaking bank To start, I don't know if these models have all this... https://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-7-CHIRP-DI-GPS-G2N/ https://lr.factoryoutletstore.com/details/536871/lowrance-hook-2-7-7-inch-splitshot-tm-transducer.html?category_id=83409&catalogitemid=484345 https://lr.factoryoutletstore.com/details/280473/lowrance-elite-7t-touch-hdi-transducer.html?category_id=35372&catalogitemid=253380 What would be the best out of these and why? Also, do you guys have any recommendations? Thanks!! Finner, I don't mean to through a wrench in your plan but with you being new like me you might want to also explore the Garmin models. Why? Price, great GPS capability, Panoptix capability, very reasonably priced Sideview and Chirp, and easy to lean menu. If you shop around you can find a good Echomap 73SV or 74SV chirp model that has Sideview, Clear or downview and Traditional view. Also the 73SV and 74SV (7inch screen) Chirp model is compatible with Garmins Panoptix transducers. The 74SV is the salt water version and comes with great lakes and coastal maps and the 73SV comes with Lake maps. That said I have the 74SV which comes with both sets of maps (coastal and lake) and works great in the fresh water lake that I have so far used it in. If you do consider one of these models be sure it's the Chirp or plus model. As to the plus model it is the newest model in this series and features wireless and of course is also Chirp as well. Oh, here is an awesome deal on a 9" Chirp model with transducer: https://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-echoMAP-CHIRP-94sv-with-ClearVuSideVu-Transducer-P5098.aspx?msclkid=a5db44e814581c8516df1e5b014b1236 Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 23, 2018 Super User Posted March 23, 2018 Go play with them all at the store, pick the one that has menus that make the most sense to you... All the top brands are great, they all have some feature the rest don't...that makes no real difference. Far better to understand, and like the menu system you'll be using every time you're on the water than to be distracted by bright flashy features... Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.