Thread: Need recomendations for unit under 5 bills

Right now I am torn between the Lowrance 520C with GPS and the Fish Elite 480 with GPS. The color issue is whats hanging me up now.

I have the 520c on the front of my boat and really like it. I saw it on sale somewhere last week for about $550. but I can't remember where it was. Good luck on your quest.

currently shopping them, here's one with the GPS antenna/reciever
LOWRANCE LMS-520C W/LGC-3000 GPS ANTENNA NO DUCER - eBay (item 270288738071 end time Nov-15-08 19:24:35 PST)

Would still need the ducer though.

Dadgummit Reaper, go back and re-read my post. And this time commit it to memory.

The only units with a "smart card" is going to be those with GPS. Therefore, the 510C is out. To connect to a PC, you'll need a card to save the info and a reader to read the card from your PC. Some are capable of direct connect (I know my Garmin 178 is), but you have to have the cables to achieve that. In my case, it was cheaper to go the card/reader route.

The only real choice you have with your budget is - Lowrance 520C (with GPS at $629, or without at $459) or the H'bird 787C2 at $555 or possibly the 595C at $499. Difference between the Hbirds are the resolution (# of pixels), but I believe the 787C2 is known to have a lagging GPS position refresh issue. Don't think that is true of the 595C, but not sure. Another consideration is the tranducer. I think the 595C has the 20 and 60 degree cone angle that you can select which or both to use, while the 787 uses the 20 degree only. It may be possible to use the 20/60 with it, but I'm not sure.

Just to make it interesting, I'll throw out the Eagle 500C at $355, 640C at $439 (fishfinder only) or the same units with GPS at $439 and $549. Eagles are great units and function exactly like the Lowrance with the same buttons and menus as Lowrance. The difference is in the output power of the unit. More power is usually thought to be better, but in very shallow water, it can actually be a detriment due to echoes. One other huge difference is the Eagle is not capable of networking, while the comparable Lowrance is - for example, you can have 2 520Cs and only use one GPS puck and select which tranducer outputs on each unit (additional equipment and $ required), but the point is, they're are expandable within the Lowrance Line.


Wannabe...

Lowrance new models..Didn't take 'em long to make my kinda new lcx27 obsolete did it. My ole Ultra Classic still working. I been thru 2 color units. Made in China maybe? I griping..........

Only reason my Ultra ll dumped out on me was my own fault. I left the thing mounted all winter and never put the boat cover on. It might could be serviced, but would prolly cost more than a replacement.

Am wondering why no one ever mentions Sitex or Raymarine units? Are they not very good in shallow waters? I've read up on a lot of them and they seem to do just about everything other than the HB's sidescan.

Originally Posted by Crappie Reaper

Only reason my Ultra ll dumped out on me was my own fault. I left the thing mounted all winter and never put the boat cover on. It might could be serviced, but would prolly cost more than a replacement.

Am wondering why no one ever mentions Sitex or Raymarine units? Are they not very good in shallow waters? I've read up on a lot of them and they seem to do just about everything other than the HB's sidescan.

Only thing I know about Raymarine (Raytheon) is that they make good missiles.
Hope this helps...

Okie Dokie boyz and gulls. I did the deed and bought this one. Used

eBay Motors: LOWRANCE LMS-520C WITH LGC-3000 RECEIVER IN GREAT SHAPE (item 270302748159 end time Nov-13-08 19:33:32 PST)

Thanks Wannabe and others