Which gps/ff would you buy if?

[jimp]

you longlined 90% of the time, pulled cranks 10% of the time, no vertical jigging or sitting over/near structure, always moving. Fish solo 99% of the time from the bow, gps is a requirement to mark structure/points, 04 boat is a tracker PT175. Currently have 2 FF, one on the bow and one at the console, wanting to upgrade both. FF at console does not have to be GPS or as fancy as the one on the bow as majority of time spent at the bow. Budget is $1000 for total electronics upgrade. Also considering a TM upgrade to an ipilot model TM but not included in the $1000 budget. Not willing to go over the $1000 budget either as I feel this is sufficent to get a decent/good upgrade in electronics.

[Crappie 1]

I'm partial to Lowerance, have had 3-4 on different boats, always been happy with them. Now they have all the GPS/Fish Finder combo's they really give good pictures of the structure and fish. Not sure about the cost, but there are some really good units out there..

[Cane Pole]

I drive a Toyota.

[jimp]

I drive a Toyota.

And I drive a Ford and a Mazda, your point being?

[Good Stuff]

I have the Lowrance HDS-5 and mostley tightline. The enternal GPS is not fast enough to please me but from what I understand you can buy a external puck that will do the job. If only longlined then my unit would do the job.

[ready2fish]

everyone has there own prefrence, its like what the one guy said do i buy Chev or a Ford

you just need to do some reading and make your choice, its a hard decision but eathier way you wiil do fine

[justinp61]

I have two HDS unita hooked to a Structure Scan unit and live them. Mine work great. I also had a Elite 5 DSI and didn't like it, the GPS didn't work well for spider rigging.

[skeetbum]

I would bust your budget but I wouldn't have to do anything afterwards. Lowrance or "Bird would be your choice. I like the HB898 for the console and a non side image with gps for the nose. The side image is a great tool for locating fish and structure and will save large amounts of time. Once the waypoints are established, and if the units are ether netted ( I think that's the term)together, they will show on the front unit and you can establish the first track that you want to troll thru, then hit return and double back thru em til the cows come home. A 798 would save some money but I think the larger screen to be worth the extra. Wish my bank account would stand the stress, I would do just what I've described. A friend has 2 798's and says that he can find fish much better with the front unit before running over the fish, but we cast and jig more than troll. Good luck and let us know how you decide and why, you're educating us all.

[Ranger09]

If your not set on a new unit since Lowrance doesn't make these anymore you can save some money and have some really great electronics. First a 520c or 522ic on the nose with split screen gps/graph and on the console a 510c Lowrance without gps. These locators have plenty of power and awesome colored detail. You can find these still being offered on Ebay and such and make a really good deal on them. I have a 520C on the nose and a 522I C on the console and have them linked together with an external puck gps ant..we are talking about a limit of $1000 only reason I am throwing this out..In my opinion you can't go wrong with these units. Ranger

[rnvinc]

Although there are no actual facts made public yet... It is a possibility that HB may eventually let their sonar units cross communicate to their I Pilot trolling motors....

Rickie