Need advice on new fish finder & setup on my Tracker Grizzly 1448

[WANDERER-MN]

So I bought a 2018 tracker grizzly 1448 last fall and want to add 1 or 2 fish finders to the boat. I fish for smallmouth bass on the Flambeau river/Dairyland reservoir which goes from a river 5ft deep to a reservoir 70ft deep & fish for largemouth on metro lakes in MN.   I would like both side imaging & down imaging hopefully for under a $1000.  I was looking at the Helix 7 Si G3N  but found out that the Helix 7 Si doesn't have true down imaging it takes the side scans and merges them for a down image.  So I started looking at the Helix 8 Si G4N ($1,199 - Cabelas) or Helix 9 Si G3N (Cabelas-on sale right now for $1,199) the nine inch screen would be nice but then I thought for the same price as a Helix 8 or 9 I could probably get two Helix 7's (used or on sale for $500-&600) one Si & one DI and place one back by my motor and one up front by my trolling motor.   Any thoughts or suggestions on which way I should go?  

[MN Fisher]

1: Welcome to the site - lots of good info here

2: Another Minnesotan....(does a happy dance)

3: BPS/Cabelas is having a sale starting soon - HUGE discount on new Garmin Echomap SV units.

[DaubsNU1]

Got Garmin Echomap 7sv at Scheels a few weeks back for $499.

 

Still have them on their web site...

[MN Fisher]

Just now, DaubsNU1 said:

Got Garmin Echomap 7sv at Scheels a few weeks back for $499.

 

Still have them on their web site...

Spring sale at BPS/Cabelas starting in 2-1/2 weeks - $450 for the UHD 7sv

[WANDERER-MN]

Thanks guys kinda partial to the helix used a Helix 5 and hope to update my trolling motor to ipilot link.  just wondering if having two versus 1 fish finder would be better even though their smaller or go for one with a larger screen.  The thaw's coming Fisher I can't wait.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, WANDERER-MN said:

Thanks guys kinda partial to the helix used a Helix 5 and hope to update my trolling motor to ipilot link.  just wondering if having two versus 1 fish finder would be better even though their smaller or go for one with a larger screen.  The thaw's coming Fisher I can't wait.

Well, same sale at BPS - Helix is on sale too...from the flyer

 

So, just wait a little...

[WANDERER-MN]

Thanks guys kinda partial to the helix used a Helix 5 and hope to update my trolling motor to ipilot link.  just wondering if having two versus 1 fish finder would be better even though their smaller or go for one with a larger screen.  The thaw's coming Fisher I can't wait.

Don't know how I posted that twice.   Where did you see that flyer?

 

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, WANDERER-MN said:

Where did you see that flyer?

Another thread - someone posted the link

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/online-catalogs?catalogCode=BassPro/SFC_21_36_tab

[gim]

I think I would go with two screens instead of one bigger one.  Whatever you decide, you should post photos of your rig in the “show your ride” thread.

[GaryH]

First thing welcome aboard Wanderer..  being that the 1448 is 14’ long I think I’d go with the largest unit that fits your budget and mount it on a swivel mount. That way it’s big enough for you to see while your sitting and moving and then swivel it around when fishing. Just a idea.

If a helix 7 with mega DI would interest you, there’s one for sale in the flea market section here on the site. 

[WANDERER-MN]

Will do gimruis trying to get it setup just right before spring just got it at the end of last September got to use it for about 4 weeks before putting it away happy to meet another west metro dweller I live in crystal to. I am leaning towards the 2 cheaper helix 7’s looking at how/what networking capabilities they have.  

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, WANDERER-MN said:

happy to meet another west metro dweller I live in crystal to.

There's a few of us here.

FryDog62 is in Plymouth from what I remember

Deephaven is...well, in Deephaven (SE shore of Lake Minnetonka)

And I'm on Phelps Island, surrounded by Minnetonka.

 

 

[Deephaven]

I'd be prone to looking at used ones or replaced models as well.  I am not a Hummingbird guy so I can't say if there is a sweet spot, but I've always had luck in the past constantly flipping as new price points plopped in and deals arrived.  

[gim]

12 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

but I've always had luck in the past constantly flipping as new price points plopped in and deals arrived

Quite often, last years model will go on sale or clearance when a new version is released. They’ll even throw in a mapping chip and cover sometimes too. I bought a 2018 Lowrance Carbon for half off when they introduced the 2019 Live version.

[Deephaven]

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

Quite often, last years model will go on sale or clearance when a new version is released. They’ll even throw in a mapping chip and cover sometimes too. I bought a Lowrance Carbon for half off when they introduced the Lowrance Live version.

I grabbed a pair of Carbon 12's in December   Trying to decide if I sell the 9's or keep all 4 in the boat.

[gim]

2 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

I grabbed a pair of Carbon 12's in December

Well alright. A Ranger equipped with Lowrance Carbons? My kind of rig!

[MN Fisher]

And here I am happy to have gotten a Striker Plus 7cv at a price affordable to me.

[WANDERER-MN]

Deephaven are you saying your thinking about selling the 9’s?

[Deephaven]

Yes, but they are Lowrances....but I may also run them.  Figure I have them, having 2 up front and 2 in the back wouldn't be bad.