Need sonar guru's help

[Way2slow]

I'm looking for a new 7" LCD with Chart, down scan and side scan, structure scan etc.

Looking at the Lowrance but they are not real clear on exactly what you are getting in the deal.  The HDS gen 3 a Ti and some other but not real clear if they come with everything for the listed price to provide all the features the advertise.   Things like the Structure scan and the transducers.  I see one list a 3 in 1 transducer but not real clear if that's just a band aid to make you thing you are getting something.

I really don't want to spend $1,200 - $1,500 for a package just to find out I need to spend and large chunk of money for some special over priced transducer or additional unit to really get all the features I want.

I have the old Gen 1 HDS units with the Structure scan that lets them all network together, but looking to upgrade and only want one unit so don't need to networking, but to want all the Structure scan capabilities, 

 

I have always used Lowrance for the past 50 years but I'm not locked in on Lowrance.  I've heard some bragging about the Garmin 7" and others on the Hummingbird.  Just looking for a unit that has a really good side scan/structure scan.  I'm sure they are all made in China now, so it's just a matter of whose technology you want to use. 

[12poundbass]

You really can’t go wrong with any brand. Humminbird MEGA imaging is the best but I’m hearing the new GT-56 transducer Garmin has is closing that gap. I’m a Garmin guy and have the GT-54 transducer, I’ve yet to use it due to frozen lakes. The reason I’m a Garmin guy is you get more bang for your buck. You get 2d, Downvu, Sidevu, mapping, and the ability to create your own map with QuickDraw (up to 1 million acres I believe) all in one unit. Humminbird requires a zero line card at an added price to create more than 8 hours of your own mapping. I like the user interface on Garmin as well, pretty simple to use. 
 

The more you dig into learning about these units, you’ll probably read Garmin’s 2d is better than the other two brands, down seeing and side seeing sonar, has been said Humminbird gets the nod. Mapping some say goes to Lowrance, but Garmin uses Navionics now so I think that’s a wash. 
 

So you see, it can get complicated and a bit confusing. I got everything I wanted from Garmin at a good price and I’ve been happy so far, and after playing with my new Garmin from my living room I think I’ll be happier with my upgraded Garmin. 
 

Good luck with your search. 

[gim]

3 hours ago, Way2slow said:

I have always used Lowrance for the past 50 years

That is a LONG time.  I use Lowrance too, but only for 20 years.  The primary reason I continue to use them is that I am fully familiar with their operating system.  I have to imagine you are too at this point.

 

3 hours ago, Way2slow said:

Just looking for a unit that has a really good side scan/structure scan.

I've only been using side scan and down scan for about 3 years now and I will admit that I am still not fully capable of using this technology to its fullest.  What I am very familiar with is their 2D sonar and their GPS mapping.  I've accrued 20 years of way points in my current unit that I've transferred from several previous units and that information is priceless to me.

[Way2slow]

I started with Lowrance back when they were making their portable flasher back in 1965.  Been through their whole line.  Went from that to the chart recorder and just kept upgrading when they did.  I have the HDS-7 and HDS-10 with the structure scan ( the HDS-5 went with the boat I sold) but we are going to put those in my sons boat down in south Texas.   I'm looking for something to put in my pontoon.  It's going to be sitting on the console so I don't want more than a 7".  Looking at the adds for these new generation structure/side scan units, the images are much sharper and more like like than the first generation HDS units I have now.   I'm figuring I will have to spend $1,200 - $1,500 for a 7" with the capabilities I want, but if a Garmin will compete with the Lowrance's resolution and presentation, it won't hurt my feeling one bit to save several hundred dollars. 

I would have to put a grand in a unit and it ended up being no better or a down grade from I have now.

[12poundbass]

If you’re going to spend that much I’d go with a MEGA from Humminbird or a Garmin Echomap with the GT-56 transducer. I’ve read even the Lowrance faithful say both are better than Lowrance. 

[Way2slow]

I can't find much about the Hummingbird that really trips my trigger, and they don't make their best unit in a 7".  It looks like they want to sell you a $1,500 transducer to get the full benefit of theirs, but the Garmin seems like it might be an option.  There's a Bass Pro Shop about 30 miles from me so I guess I will make a trip to there.  Hopefully they will have some display models and someone that knows them, I can compare the Lowrance and Garmin.  It looks like the only difference between the Garmin 7" models with charts is the different maps they have in them.

I'm look at the sonar's like I do a computer.  You may as well bite the bullet and get a top of the line model in the size you want so it's still a reasonable unit several years down the road.  Cut back on features to get it cheaper and a couple of years later, it's a dinosaur. 

[gim]

36 minutes ago, Way2slow said:

Cut back on features to get it cheaper and a couple of years later, it's a dinosaur. 

I already kinda feel that way using a 2 year old unit.

 

I don’t think the common angler can simply afford to upgrade to the latest and greatest every year.

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I already kinda feel that way using a 2 year old unit.

 

I don’t think the common angler can simply afford to upgrade to the latest and greatest every year.

I hear that - I had to scrimp and scrape to afford a non-map included, downscan unit (Striker 7cv)...a decent 9" side-scan with maps would take my entire yearly fishing budget. Livescope, 360, Mega...WAY out of my reach.

[12poundbass]

11 hours ago, gimruis said:

I don’t think the common angler can simply afford to upgrade to the latest and greatest every year.

Exactly. That’s why I’ve waited and waited and saved waiting for the Echomaps to go on sale. I wasn’t going to settle. These new 93SV units will be with me for quite a while. 

[Way2slow]

I agree, no way I could afford to change even every couple of years, that's why I go ahead and spend the extra to get their good stuff to start with.  Like my HDS system with the structure scan, I upgraded to it when they first came out with it, and it's still a nice unit to have, and that was several years back.  I'm just saying if you spend the money and go ahead and buy a unit with the latest imaging technology (within reason, don't ever see buying a 360 degree transducer for $1,500) it usually lets you go several years before there is a better mouse trap.  A lot of times they are just adding extra bells and whistles, like touch screen etc, and not doing much to imaging.  Those are features I can do without.   I also don't need a giant screen TV setting in my boat at three or four times the price that a very usable smaller screen works just fine.  I've never seen a need for anything larger than my HDS-10, that's big enough to almost be in the way mounted off to the side.

[orangeblueprint]

Check out BPS or a Cabelas in your area as they are having a sale starting on the 11th. You could pick up a Garmin 73sv for $350 off and upgrade to a GT56 transducer and still be saving a lot. Also, the Helix 7 MEGA Si is going to on sale along with some other fish finders.

[Way2slow]

Orangeblueprint, I owe you a thanks about the BPS sale today, didn't know that.  

The only one they had on sale here was the 93SV bundle with the GT54 X-ducer, none of the others.

I didn't think I wanted one that big, but after walking out with one for $609, with my military discount I decided I would make it work.

I got there about 8:20, thinking they still had the deal where senior citizens could get in an hour early, so I could just grab one and go.  They said they haven't done that in a couple of months but it was a good thing I got there that early.  There were already about 30 people in line waiting for them to open at 9:00, all of them wanting the Garmin 93SV at $450 off.  By the time they opened the doors, there was a line going out into the parking lot.  Someone said they called yesterday and they had 57 units, so there were going to be some sore feelings toward the end of that line.

 

A guy working in there said he had the 93SV in his boat, and the only difference between the GT54 and GT56 transduces was the GT56 was more powerful and the only time you would see a difference was in saltwater.    I rarely fish deeper than 45 feet and only fresh water so I will see how that does.

 

Anyway, I guess I will get to see how I like the Garmin.

 

I just looked and BPS online shows the 73SV at $350 off but they don't show it coming with the transducer, just compatible with them, so, that's not that good of a deal since they want $350 - $450 for the Transducer.  I guess if someone was wanting to add that livescope transducer, that would be good.

[Way2slow]

Update, I called and they did have the 73SV and it did come with the GT54 transducer, so I just got back with that one also.  I hope I like Garmin's, because I now have a 93SV and a 73SV.  

At the prices, I figured what the heck, I'm getting two for the price of one.  Both units cost me $1,065 out the door with my military discount.  

Got about a mile from there and had to go back again, my brother had called me and I mentioned them to him, he said he was looking at them but didn't think the transducer was included.  When I told him they were, I had to go back and get him a 73SV.

 

After seeing the size of the 93SV, it's a whole lot smaller and lighter than my HDS-10.  Set it on the console and now I'm wishing I had gotten two 93's instead of the 73 and 93.