HoggBoss Posted March 11, 2010 Posted March 11, 2010 So what is the best "bang-for-the-buck" combo (fish finder / Nav, GPS) unit out there that will not break the bank? I have no partiality toward either lowrance or Hummingbird, and this unit will be used for smaller, relatively shallow inland electric only lakes. The ability to at some point upgrade to side imaging might be worth keeping in mind. Thanks! Quote
DINK WHISPERER Posted March 11, 2010 Posted March 11, 2010 For me it was a Hummingbird 581i combo with internal antenna. I fish mostly shallow lakes so a high dollar unit was not necessary. The unit is very impressive at it's price point. Quote
BigEbass Posted March 11, 2010 Posted March 11, 2010 So a basic combo unit will cost say what 400-600 bucks (that is a question)? I am buying my first electronics for my humble bass fishing boat tomorrow and thought about it - side imaging to at least based on my research may be quite worth it. The HB 798 is 850-999 bucks which includes all of it you would want for a while (only a 5 inch screen though) - I am just wondering if it will do you some good to go ahead and pull the trigger on a side imaging combo unit? If you can find a good basic combo unit though that is for the right price (and I have no idea about their prices) then you can as you said always upgrade - but if you end up spending 500 bucks on it and if possibly can afford the other 500 additional??? Maybe tempting? I am going strait for the side imaging - I have been so impressed in looking at the demos, videos, screenshots, and speaking to multiple owners on here with the technology.....Just a thought though....I am not an expert on the basic combo units..... Quote
Super User burleytog Posted March 11, 2010 Super User Posted March 11, 2010 Humminbird 788 or 798. Quote
donmac Posted March 12, 2010 Posted March 12, 2010 A couple months back I picked up an Eagle 642c 640x480 color w/ internal antenna, gps and temp for $319 at Cabela's. I think they are on sale at the stores for not much more than that now.... but I am not sure if they are still available online for that price... Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted March 12, 2010 Super User Posted March 12, 2010 I am going strait for the side imaging - I have been so impressed in looking at the demos, videos, screenshots, and speaking to multiple owners on here with the technology.....Just a thought though....I am not an expert on the basic combo units..... Just make sure it's what you feel you need. Believe me, I'd love to throw a 798 on the boat I use here at home...but it's really not necessary. I keep looking at it and saying man that'd be sweet. Then I realize that I don't need electronics that cost more than the boat they're floating on. Thats my specific situation though. Make sure you sit back and evaluate what your needs are. A thousand bucks is a lot of cash to spend. That being said, if you've got the loot lying around go for it. But you don't want to buy something, then regret spending so much on it later on down the road (especially if you have a wife or SO). Quote
HoggBoss Posted March 12, 2010 Author Posted March 12, 2010 I was telling myself that very same thing earlier tonight Addict. And at 1-2K, it would indeed be as much or more than the boat. Now that 798 looks pretty sahweet, and can be had for about $850! =D lmao.. By the way, I was looking at that thing, and couldn't find any evidence that in addition to the nav and side scan, it can also work as a traditional down scan. Can someone tell me if it does? Dang, between the bait monkey and the boat monkey, I'm gettin' my arse kicked over here. :-/ Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted March 12, 2010 Super User Posted March 12, 2010 Don't quote me on it, but I believe it does. I'd buy one right now if I could get it without the GPS/Chartplotting. I've got little to no use for it where I fish. Quote
BigEbass Posted March 12, 2010 Posted March 12, 2010 798 has down imaging, side imaging, GPS, and the traditional color sonar thingie - you will only have to spend extra for the maps.... The boat monkey is on my back too though for sure!!! Going to get that sucker off tomorrow right after work. ;D Quote
sal669 Posted March 13, 2010 Posted March 13, 2010 If you travel a lot to fish (tourneys or for pleasure), the side immaging feature is a great feature to have; it will show you quickly where to fish, eliminating unproductive water. If you fish the same waters over and over, you will probably use the side immaging feature for a short time (maby a couple hours) locating structure and sweet spots, mark your points (GPS), and you're done with it. I fish 90% of the time on Lake St Claire and a couple other inland lakes in SE Michigan ( I am talking only about lakes, but rivers would be the same thing) and don't feel side immaging would help me to much. I kinda know already when and where to fish.I study maps before I go to a new lake. I am happy with my Hummingbird 587ci combo. If I'd have lots of $$$, I'd travel more and deffinately get one with side immaging Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 13, 2010 Super User Posted March 13, 2010 HoggBoss, the only units on the market today that are upgradeable to the imaging technology is the Lowrance HDS models. All the Humminbird models have to be imaging from the start. The HDS models are sonar/gps and the LSS-1 Structure Scan components can be added for about $600 Quote
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