A good unit for the price

[fireman1501]

Ok I need a little info here on some units. The deal is I have wanted to learn how to troll and have been trying my best to do it with a lowrance 50 and it just aint getting it done . I was looking for a unit that has speed GPS to be able to stay in the channel and have a price range of 500 are less. Anyone have good advice on a unit that would fit this unit thanks !!!

[SeaRay]

I have a HB 385 combo(3.5" screen) and my recommendation is get one with at least a 5" screen or 7" is you can swing it. The 385 works great for both DF and GPS but when you split the screen it is too small to tell much of what is going on. I would have said 9" or bigger but you probably can't get more than a 5" for $500.

[jimp]

if you can go a bit more $$, a HDS 5 (no SS/DS), you could add the SS later when everyone upgrades to the new HDS touch. The Lowrance Mark 5 is about the same as the HDS 5, but would work as well. Have you considered using a handheld gps. Cheaper and just as effective, one more thing to keep up with tho.

[crappiemax]

jimp has a great point, get the biggest screen you can afford. Everyone told me that when I upgraded and I'm glad I spent the extra money. I can't imagine using a small screen when using GPS, you will spend all day zooming in and out while on GPS. Right now I'm using an HDS 7&8 and I've been thinking of add another 5 or 7 just to run my GPS.
My advice would be to maybe spend a little more if you can swing it. In the long run, you'll be happy you did.

This new Elite 7 looks pretty sweet.

Elite Series - LOWRANCE | Marine Electronics

Good luck in your decision

[bb no longer in business]

The new Lowrance Elite 7 series will be one of the best values out there when they are released (early spring) I have pricing set on these units if you're interested, just shoot me a PM or give me a call.

Brian

[NeonMoon]

Ok I need a little info here on some units. The deal is I have wanted to learn how to troll and have been trying my best to do it with a lowrance 50 and it just aint getting it done . I was looking for a unit that has speed GPS to be able to stay in the channel and have a price range of 500 are less. Anyone have good advice on a unit that would fit this unit thanks !!!

ou=
Never having owned/used anything outside a $100 cheapie, I wanted to know if having a GPS capability unit automatically includes the map-card slot? Reason I ask is because I plan to upgrade next year, and just didn't know if the GPS units included the option of maps as well? I'll be looking to also stay in your same price range, so I'll be interested on following the replies given in your thread.

[Humminbird_Greg]

ou=
Never having owned/used anything outside a $100 cheapie, I wanted to know if having a GPS capability unit automatically includes the map-card slot? Reason I ask is because I plan to upgrade next year, and just didn't know if the GPS units included the option of maps as well? I'll be looking to also stay in your same price range, so I'll be interested on following the replies given in your thread.

This would depend on the make/model unit that you get.