Electronics help please

[volzfan59]

I've recently purchased a used 16' X 50" jon boat with a 40 h/p Tohatsu tiller. It's a pretty nice one, but the previous owner had some jack leg wire it and it's a mess! It has small Humminbirds at the front and back, however the back unit does not work. I'm going to rewire the whole thing. The rewiring will be time consuming, but no big deal.

 

Here's where I need help. After getting somewhat lost in a cypress tree jungle, I want to add a gps/ depth finder at the tiller area. Is there an easy to use model available? Around $300.00, 5" to 7' screen with the ability to operate while the boat is on plane. I've used both Lowrance and Humminbird in the past, but have no problems with Garmin.

 

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you

[TnRiver46]

We should all be lucky enough to get lost in a cypress swamp from time to time. I have the lowrance  elite 4 HDI that works flawlessly and was inexpensive. I would imagine a similar model with a bigger screen would fit your needs nicely

[volzfan59]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

We should all be lucky enough to get lost in a cypress swamp from time to time. I have the lowrance  elite 4 HDI that works flawlessly and was inexpensive. I would imagine a similar model with a bigger screen would fit your needs nicely

It was nuts, everything looks just alike! I'm used to fishing in the Knoxville/ east TN area. It's completely different down here in south Arkansas. Thanks for the recommendation, I'm going to check it out right now.

[TnRiver46]

59 minutes ago, volzfan59 said:

It was nuts, everything looks just alike! I'm used to fishing in the Knoxville/ east TN area. It's completely different down here in south Arkansas. Thanks for the recommendation, I'm going to check it out right now.

I fish cypress trees in south Alabama and can’t get enough of them . Wish we had some (although they have stolen dozens of my jigs, I don’t even attempt that anymore. Go weightless!)

[FishOn!GetTheNet]

Garmin striker has a gps without actual maps but you can set it to draw lines so all you have to do is follow your line back to the ramp 4” model 120$ I’ve had mine 6 years no problems and I think they go go 7”

[Bankc]

You can use your smart phone, or find a fish finder with built in maps.  I have a Lowrance Hook2 5 TS that would do what you want in that price range.  I paid about $300 for mine and it came with both C-Maps and Navionics.  The C-Maps is especially nice because you can download user submitted maps, which come in handy for lesser bodies of water.  They have a new model out, the Hook Reveal.  But it's more expensive, especially if you get the maps, and might be out of your price range.  The "x" models (Hook2 5x, for example) don't come with maps.  

 

Also, be sure that the model you get doesn't just have maps, but has a map for the lake you're fishing.  Different map models will have different bodies of water available.  While you can always trace your way back with a standard GPS, having a map is a lot more helpful.  Not only can you find a more direct route back, but you can find new areas to explore more quickly.  Usually, you can go to the map makers webpage and view what maps they have available.  So it might take a bit of cross referencing and research to figure out which model is best for you. 

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, Bankc said:

You can use your smart phone

Or tablet - I have Navionics on my Galaxy 8"...$20 a year and it includes various overlays like bottom hardness.

 

 

[volzfan59]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! Due to the pandemic, at least that's what some retailers blamed it on, several models of Lowrance and Humminbird are pretty much nonexistent. I ended up purchasing a Garmin Striker 7 cv. It was a little over my price point, but BPS had it in stock and I had around $250.00 in saved gift cards. The learning curve now begins.

[desmobob]

Congratulations.  I have a Striker Plus 5cv and love it.

 

If I remember correctly, there was a much more detailed instruction manual on line, vs. the one that came with it (at least in the case of the portable version that I purchased).  I'm an instruction-reader and usually keep the manual of a newly-purchased electronics item on my nightstand for a bit of  before-sleep reading.

 

The more you learn about the unit, the more you'll get out of it.  There are lots of menu choices and adjustments on multiple levels.  Word up!  And enjoy!

[MN Fisher]

34 minutes ago, desmobob said:

If I remember correctly, there was a much more detailed instruction manual on line, vs. the one that came with it (at least in the case of the portable version that I purchased).

Ya - the PDF available online is much more detailed an informative than what's supplied in the box...same with my 7CV

 

35 minutes ago, desmobob said:

 I'm an instruction-reader and usually keep the manual of a newly-purchased electronics item on my nightstand for a bit of  before-sleep reading.

I download manuals for everything and keep them on my phone, tablet and computer for instant access.