Someone Probably asked this Lowrance elite-7hdi or hds7 gen1 or gen2

[ctf58]

Guys money is tight but I have got to get a Color GPS on the boat. Right now I have a HB570di. Looking at going to Lowrance. Elite 7Hdi looks really interesting and is priced closer to my range. HDS7 Gen1 is older and priced close to my range but will be a used unit. HDS7 Gen2 is newer but I cannot hardly justify the cost. I made the mistake of buying something that I thought would be "Enough" in the HB570DI. It is great but the B&W screen is hard to see in the sun and I have no GPS, which I did not think I would want. Lowrance seems like they have a lot of "add-on" stuff. That can be a plus or minus.
HDS7 Gen 2 $900 with insight mapping
Elite7 Hdi Gold Combo $675 with Navionics Gold

What's your Opinions????

[justinp61]

ctf58, I think I would reconsider the Elite 7 Gold, from what I understand the charting is geared for coastal waters. This is an exert from Lowrances description " Also included is a Navionics Gold Chart for detailed charting of the Coastal US", this may be in addition to the regular charting. The Elite 7 combo is about $60 cheaper than the Gold.

Used 7 Gen 1s can be had for $500-600, close to the price of a new Elite. The only complaint I've heard about the Elite 7 is the GPS, I don't know if it's the same as the Elite 5 or not. From experience I can say for sure the Elite 5 GPS system is not the same (accuracy) quality the HDS is. Lowrance confirmed this in one of my conversations with their tech department. So if I were to buy the Elite I would also buy a Point 1 GPS antenna to go with it.

Call Brian at BBG Marine and pick his brain, sharp guy and great to deal with.

[arkyfisherman]

I have the elite 5 dsi and elite 7.So far I haven't had any problems with the gps being what I consider accurate.But I never had the hds

[Cray]

What Justin said about calling Brian. He is really sharp, will spend all the time you need to understand and has best pricing out there. Also he has some really good close out HB units on sale withGPS right now. Don't get sucked into over spending your budget.

[Handicrappie]

Cabelas bargain cave currently has these reconditioned units at a great price.