Help with picking out a depth finder.

[Pig_Chaser]

First off as a new member to the site let me say Hello everybody!! I have been reading the site for several months and finally made an account today as I really need help before blowing a ton of money on a POS. :p

I have limited knowledge of depth finders as I got my first real boat late last year. The depth finder on it is a cheap Lowrance that came with the boat. It is a 09' Bass Tracker 170TX. I know I should have got a 175 or a Pro Crappie, but I only gave 8500 from a guy in Memphis on Ebay with an extended 3 year warranty on the engine. It was only 9 months old when I got it.

Back to my question though, I will learn whatever unit I get after I get it and I am very tech savy so hopefully it will come fast. I have seen through this year the importance of a good depth finder. I have found alot of really good fish already even with the cheapy I have. I am looking to replace it with a VERY good unit. But I am unsure what is best. There are so many different units and prices available. So my question is, if you had $1500 to drop on a good unit, what would you choose? Or if you know one slightly higher or lower can you recommend it please.

Also I want to add one to the front of my boat. I would like to not spend very much on this one as I can always turn the big one around and see the HD good stuff.

Suggestions? Comments? Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!!!!

Jimbo'

[Wannabe...]

In that price range....898. But I'd consider a HD7 with LSS1 as well.

Either one will kill your front FF budget though.

Wannabe...

[majflyboy]

Welcome Pig Chaser. I have HB 998 on console and 788 on bow, interlinked. A little more than what you have budgeted but go with the big screen for the SI unit for sure.

[brushnjigs]

If you are looking at an HD unit especially if using side scan, go with an hd8. They are just so much more user friendly than the hd7. You will appreciate the 1.5" larger screen using 2 to 4 window displays. Everything just gets smaller to see, you will thank yourself in the long run. And also you will love the touch buttons at the bottom of the screen. Just setting the overlays up on the screen makes life so much easier with the buttons, without having to go in the menu eveytime and pushing alot of buttons. I know it cost more but you will have this for years to come.
Between Low or bird, find a dealer that has both, then you can decide which one is the best for you. Size does make a difference.

[Wannabe...]

Agree on 2 points. If SI is what you're after, skip the HDS5 and HB798. Screen is just too small for on the water viewing.

Also, the HDS8 is a much better unit than the 7, but by the time you get the LSS1 module, the 8 is way out of your price range. Matter of fact, the 7 is already as well.

If 2D color is your game, The HD5 is really nice and so are the H'bird 700 series. I have my preferences, but I'll reserve them.

Wannabe...

[majflyboy]

Come on WB, you've never reserved anything. You just waiting on a higher offer.:D

[Pig_Chaser]

Thanks for all the input from everyone! I just got an 898c SI Combo. I simply could not justify 500 for 1 inch larger screen. Hopefully it works well!

Thanks again!

Jimbo'

[crappiemax]

Agree on 2 points. If SI is what you're after, skip the HDS5 and HB798. Screen is just too small for on the water viewing.

Also, the HDS8 is a much better unit than the 7, but by the time you get the LSS1 module, the 8 is way out of your price range. Matter of fact, the 7 is already as well.

If 2D color is your game, The HD5 is really nice and so are the H'bird 700 series. I have my preferences, but I'll reserve them.

Wannabe...

If you could comment further, I'd be intersted as well. I don't really like the brand bashing but I find this very interesting. I'm trying to figure all this out myself. It's not in the budget now but maybe a year or so. I'm just trying to get an understanding.