To upgrade or not to upgrade (fish finder)

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

First off just wanna thank the people who have taken the time to read my posts and offer there options and suggestions to help me ultimately make my own choices. 

 

I just recently posted about some help I needed with the fish finder that came with the boat I just got. Well now I'm thinking this unit I have is maybe too old. 

 

Anyways the boat came with the Lowrance Elite 7HDI unit. I know basically nothing about this part of the bass fishing spectrum. So I'd really like to up my game in this area. When we got the boat I thought this was a good unit, but now I have come to learn its fairly old and outdated. So my question now is do I try to make this work for me or should I invest my time and money into something newer and more current. From the searching I have done for me to get a mapping chip for the area of southern Ontario Canada I'm from its going to run me $270 for what looks to be a used chip. So what's my best options here? It seems no more update or anything are made for this unit but I'm also just a beginner who really has no idea how to read or properly use a fish finder anyways. Should I just buy the mapping chip and use this until I've learned enough and reached a point where I would actually benefit from an upgrade? Or since I'm going to have to spend almost $300 on this already I might as well put that towards a newer better unit so then I don't waste money or learning time on an old unit that I'll have to relearn myself on a newer unit in the near future. I'm just a recreational bass angler, me and my dad usually go out for a day here and there ( since I got a boat now I'm hoping to increase my fishing times) but we do it for fun and relaxation rather then serious, tournament angling. My head is spinning with all the variety of units on the market today and I really don't have a big budget so I want to make the right decision for us and and heading into the future. 

 

My dad's eyes have got pretty bad and seem to get worse so I'd like to get a decent sized screen so he can see easier, but I also know that's going to cost more money. I could care less about which brand we get as long as it's quality and suits our needs. If an upgrade seems to be the best option does anyone have any recommendations? I'd say my budget is $500-$1000

 

Thanks yall

[Tennessee Boy]

Your fish finder needs depend on how you fish.  Many people buy units with features they never use.  It might be best to learn how to use what you have to the fullest and that will give you a better understanding of what you want in a new one.  One option for mapping is to use your phone or even better a tablet if you have one.  The Hummingbird FishSmart app will allow you to purchase high quality individual LakeMaster maps for $10 - $30.   You can also get Navionics maps and some free maps that are pretty good.

 

Whenever you end up buying there will always be something better the next year you will wish you had waited for.

 

I hope you get to enjoy a lot of time fishing with your Dad. That’s one thing you can’t buy more of.