Input on my sonar/gps ideas

[Wood_Duck]

Picking up my new Stratos VLO monday and unfortunately it only comes with a little weenie Pirahnnamax 160. I want large units with full capabilities, however that being said, I'm about broke right now and my budget won't allow them for at least another 10 months or so. I can probably swing somewhere around the $600 range at the moment. I have nothing on the bow which is the main concern. Initially I had planned to go Hbird as I've found them to be reliable and used them before. I had been looking at a 597 GPS/2D. However not being capable of networking with future units is a downer. I also started looking around and I'm getting interested in the Lowrance HDS-5 Gen2. I can have my 2d and GPS which I like those two features better than Hbirds version and can network with future units and even plug to structure scan and have all features with the unit down the road. If I do so, I plan on adding probably an HDS-7 or 8 to the console later with structure scan to use the SI when hunting fish. Then from there go with a 9 or 10 on a ram mount at the bow and still have the HDS-5 flush mounted as a backup or to use a different window full screen. Biggest thing that I like is that I can get around my price point now, and upgrade with all functions later when I can afford. I also looked at the Elite 7 but I've heard too much about them freezing up and I lose some capabilities, as with the Hbird, such as not being able to add SI later. any thoughts?

[jimp]

Congrats on the new boat, post up some pics when possible. Watch the classifieds/CL, etc., for some deals, maybe you can find something that will work for you until the $$ fund builds back up. Buying something used that will work until the $$ builds back up is a pain, but it will make that new boat functional and much more enjoyable. And congrats on the boat.

[brettw]

used on eBay occasionally pops up

[Cane Pole]

I looked at the Elite7. It doesn't have Ethernet capabilities. It is limited to NMEA2000 network which is restrictive in applications..

Your plan sounds like mine. I just ordered a new boat about 6 weeks ago. I have enough laying around to get by with. I can always hook up the old paper graph.