New electronics 300 to 400 budget.

[Clinton john]

Ok gents like the title says. Finder took it's last breath today so time for a new one.

 

I'm in the 300 to 400 dollar budget range for the full package, unit plus transducer.

 

Things most important too me simple set up and usage, good depth, water temp readings.

 

I use my electronics mostly for looking at bottom changes and structure i.e hard structure and grass lines.

 

So I'm thinking it's time for a unit with down imaging.

 

The finder that just died is 10+ years old now.

 

Not married too one brand or the other but want good clear readings and nice clear images of the bottom conditions.

 

What say the board, what's out there that fits my budget?

 

Oh and before anyone says it no my budget isn't flexible so don't go sujesting a 1000+ buck  peice of gear.

[12poundbass]

I know you fish TB all the time, do you need mapping?

[Clinton john]

2 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

I know you fish TB all the time, do you need mapping?

No not really, mapping and GPS isn't really needed. But if a unit in my price range had it plus the features I stated I would take it.

[12poundbass]

4 minutes ago, A5BLASTER said:

No not really, mapping and GPS isn't really needed. But if a unit in my price range had it plus the features I stated I would take it.

Take a really hard look at the Garmin Striker Plus units. You can get a good sized unit for a decent price, and they’re very user friendly. They have GPS but no pre installed mapping but you can create your own maps and save over a million acres of created maps. 

 

If I were you I’d bump my budget up another $100 and get side view. If you’re not familiar with Garmin SV stands for SideVu and CV is ‘down imagining’. Hope this helps.

[Clinton john]

1 hour ago, 12poundbass said:

Take a really hard look at the Garmin Striker Plus units. You can get a good sized unit for a decent price, and they’re very user friendly. They have GPS but no pre installed mapping but you can create your own maps and save over a million acres of created maps. 

 

If I were you I’d bump my budget up another $100 and get side view. If you’re not familiar with Garmin SV stands for SideVu and CV is ‘down imagining’. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. I will check them out.

 

But I really don't have a use for the side view stuff.

 

I'm looking at a lowrance unit right now but will check out the garmins and weight out all my options before I purchase one.

[ford4wd08]

25 minutes ago, A5BLASTER said:

Thanks for the info. I will check them out.

 

But I really don't have a use for the side view stuff.

 

I'm looking at a lowrance unit right now but will check out the garmins and weight out all my options before I purchase one.

I just bought a Lowrance Elite TI 5 with the downscan only. It was 299 from GPS City.

 

It is a smaller screen, but I can use it on my Samsung tablet which is 10" anywhere on the boat. I love that feature.

 

Just got it hooked up yesterday and did some minor testing, but it seems very user friendly and it came with maps. Just an option. You could probably bump up to a 7" for your price range. I saw Dick's had a 7 inch model for $499 at the Classic Expo this weekend.

[TnRiver46]

Lowrance elite 4hdi. Also on a side note, i have a Belgian made browning A5

[Clinton john]

3 hours ago, ford4wd08 said:

I just bought a Lowrance Elite TI 5 with the downscan only. It was 299 from GPS City.

 

It is a smaller screen, but I can use it on my Samsung tablet which is 10" anywhere on the boat. I love that feature.

 

Just got it hooked up yesterday and did some minor testing, but it seems very user friendly and it came with maps. Just an option. You could probably bump up to a 7" for your price range. I saw Dick's had a 7 inch model for $499 at the Classic Expo this weekend.

Thanks for the reply. I was looking at that one this morning.

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Lowrance elite 4hdi. Also on a side note, i have a Belgian made browning A5

Great gun's for sure. I have the 12 ga mag duck model with the vent ribbed 32 inch barrel with fixed full choke.

[MrPeanut]

I have a gramin striker that works well for what's needed.  I was in the same boat and limited by a budget when I picked it up, it works good for traditional 2d as well as down imaging.  It doesn't have mapping, but can store waypoints if needed.  I'm not sure what the plus models add since I picked it up before those came out.

 

I typically use the navionics app on my phone for mapping. It can be annoying to switch back and forth visually, but it helped the budget quite a bit.

 

[12poundbass]

2 hours ago, MrPeanut said:

I have a gramin striker that works well for what's needed.  I was in the same boat and limited by a budget when I picked it up, it works good for traditional 2d as well as down imaging.  It doesn't have mapping, but can store waypoints if needed.  I'm not sure what the plus models add since I picked it up before those came out.

 

I typically use the navionics app on my phone for mapping. It can be annoying to switch back and forth visually, but it helped the budget quite a bit.

 

The Plus units add QuickDraw (the ability to create your own maps) 

[MrPeanut]

oooh that could be handy

hopefully they never go on sale and the monkey leaves me alone

[Smokinal]

I'll let out a little secret here.

 

BPS has the Garmin Striker 5cv, in store only, discounted to $179.88

 

I just picked one up. You can call BPS home office/customer support, give them the model/sku #, and they can tell you what stores show stock. I then had the store that showed it, transfer it up to a store near me. They will not ship to your home; in store only but a great price on a new unit.

[teamfyss]

Look into Lowrance HOOK2 units, I’m about to pick one up from their website refurbished with a 1 year warranty! Prices are hard to pass up.

[jaimeastin]

6 hours ago, teamfyss said:

Look into Lowrance HOOK2 units, I’m about to pick one up from their website refurbished with a 1 year warranty! Prices are hard to pass up.

 Don't get the models with an X in the name... Those have slow processors...  I tested a few and features stuffings food, but performance lacked in comparison.  No deal would make me get one.

[teamfyss]

18 hours ago, jaimeastin said:

 Don't get the models with an X in the name... Those have slow processors...  I tested a few and features stuffings food, but performance lacked in comparison.  No deal would make me get one.

Well shoot... that's what I was looking at. $329 for a 7 inch with side and down imaging plus GPS plotter.

[Shimano_1]

I like what garmin and humminbird has to offer. For me...if down imaging was the main thing is go with a bird. For mapping and 2d sonar plus value I'd go garmin. Get the biggest screen size with features u want. Several online stores sell em at great prices.  Good luck

[TBAG]

Think I'm going to pick up a Garmin Striker Plus 4 for my new kayak. Seems like a great deal and a quality, easy to use finder. 

[gnappi]

My Striker 4 fits those needs at well less than $125. It also has a small mounting footprint if space is at a premium.

 

The Striker 4 will leave you a few hundred for other stuff like taking the missus for dinner... give and take :-)

 

 

[Clinton john]

1 hour ago, gnappi said:

My Striker 4 fits those needs at well less than $125. It also has a small mounting footprint if space is at a premium.

 

The Striker 4 will leave you a few hundred for other stuff like taking the missus for dinner... give and take ?

 

 

I accutaly got my old electronics repaired and working great again. So safed myself a ton of money.

 

As for the missus. She better go get a job and buy her own happy meal. My money is for hunting and fishing lmao.