chromedog Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 Would you choose to have GPS or Down Scan Imaging on the front of your boat. My budget has me looking at a depth finder for the front of the boat with one or the other. I have a pretty simple Hummingbird unit in the back that I use for basic structure etc.. for when I am on the move. I have a 14' aluminum v-hull that has a front deck with trolling motor and I would like to add a sonar up there. But, I am trying to decide which would benefit me more as I can't afford a big unit, with everything I am doing to the boat this spring. So if it was your choice, would you opt for DSI or GPS? Thanks in advance for the opinions. Quote
chromedog Posted March 8, 2012 Author Posted March 8, 2012 Thanx J. I am trying to decide between the Lowrance Elite-4x DSI Color Imaging Fishfinder or the Lowrance® Mark-4 Fishfinder/Chartplotter. Both are about $199 and I have been going back and forth. Quote
Nice_Bass Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 This is easier said than done- but really I would keep saving your money to get a better unit. You can most likely find a good deal on a an Elite 5 DSI/chartplotter lowrance unit. It obviously has your downscan and also comes with contour maps- they are not great, but can really help you with the gps/mapping side. You can always get a mapping chip next year for your area for better detail (they are now in the smaller chip format- thanks lowrance!!). I think this is a great unit for the front of the boat, but I also know it is more than you want to spend. If you have to make a choice and don’t save for an upgraded unit, then you need to think about what size lakes you are fishing. If it is mostly smaller 1000-2000 acres or less you may not really need the gps, based on how good your memory is/paper maps. If you are fishing large impoundments, then get one with a gps unit- this way you can just start fishing and not have to learn a new DSI unit. Quote
chromedog Posted March 8, 2012 Author Posted March 8, 2012 Very compelling Nice. I fish waters like: Oneida - 50,894 acres Skaneateles - 8,960 acres Otisco - 2,200 acres But I also spend a lot of time on waters like: Lake Como - 70 acres Deruyter Reservoir - 575 acres Dryden Lake - 106 acres Little York Lake - 102 acres It isn't a case of saving. I can do that. But honestly, I would never pay that much money for a unit. Maybe if it wasn't on a small aluminum boat, or if I was doing a lot of tourneys, or most important, if my wife wouldn't kill me, lol. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted March 8, 2012 Super User Posted March 8, 2012 I am in the stone ages with electronics. I run an Eagle fishmark 480 on the box, thats a B&W 5" Sonar only unit, and a Lowrance X-67 3.5" color unit on the console. When I do upgrade the first thing I want is GPS, second is color, so the lowrance elite 4 is what I probably will buy for the console, and an Elite 5 for the bow. I have fished with guys who have DSI units............I can live with out it. Side imaging would be nice, but not in my budget. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 8, 2012 Super User Posted March 8, 2012 I concur, GPS is higher on my list of must haves than color. Either unit, chrome, those Elite 4 heads are amazing. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted March 8, 2012 Super User Posted March 8, 2012 I'll echo the others. GPS, not even a question. It may not help you find fish as well, but when you find productive bottom, you can always get back to it. There are a few small bumps and ridges in the middle of some ponds I fish that are very productive. There are no nearby shore or points to reference that can accurately get me back to those spots. Store it in the GPS, and it gets me back to it time after time. Before I got my Z-7 if fished from my canoe with a 90 dollar Eagle Cuda. I could find bottom that I'd never see in the Z-7, simply because small patches of bottom show up better when you're moving slowly. Once I got the Z-7 and got these hot spots stored, the GPS takes me right to them. Quote
Todd Driscoll Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 I agree with the others. GPS is a much higher priority for me on the bow than DSI, and the Elite 4 units are a great buy for the price. Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted March 8, 2012 Super User Posted March 8, 2012 Maybe you can have the best of both worlds, if your cell phone is GPS capable, you can mark locations with it in Google Earth. If not, I think I agree and would want to have GPS over DI. Quote
Nice_Bass Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 Thanx J. I am trying to decide between the Lowrance Elite-4x DSI Color Imaging Fishfinder or the Lowrance® Mark-4 Fishfinder/Chartplotter. Both are about $199 and I have been going back and forth. Also, wanted to point out- I did use to have an elite 4 fishfinder/chartplotter. They are very nice- but i believe they run closer to 300 and not 200 like the elite 4 color or elite 4 dsi. If I were you, get the chartplotter- you will want that next year if you dont.... Quote
chromedog Posted March 8, 2012 Author Posted March 8, 2012 I refuse to carry a cell phone, especially when fishing. LOL, my wife makes me throw a cheapy track phone in my fishing bag but it always sits there till it dies and she gets it out and recharges it, lol. Quote
chromedog Posted March 8, 2012 Author Posted March 8, 2012 Actually Nice BPS has the units for $199. http://www.basspro.com/Lowrancereg;-Mark-4-Fishfinder/Chartplotter/product/11090805011714/247264?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT#BVQAWidgetID Quote
Nice_Bass Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 Actually Nice BPS has the units for $199. http://www.basspro.c...CT#BVQAWidgetID Shoot- Sorry about that- I was thinking of the color version apperently. Ignore me at all cost!!! Quote
chromedog Posted March 8, 2012 Author Posted March 8, 2012 LOL, I seen that too. But if you look at Cabelas, they have that model with DSI for like $50 more. Quote
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