buggman

i'm new to the forum. i am new to fish finders.i am a native TEXAN stuck in nw fla. i will return to God's country in late july or early aug. i will be living on the upper end of toledo bend (TX. side).need some one to help me purchase the right side/ down scan. i don't have a an unlimited budget. i want side and down scan,tracking, contour maps of TEXAS lakes. way points, a 7" or 9" screen if i can afford it.I have commercial fished that area for cat fish. i was there when the lake was down 8 to 10 ft.(i think it was 9 years ago)i know the lake there.i need elect. please help if you can. buggman

I recently switched from Lowrance to Garmin, and could not be happier. But the fact is that each of the three major players in his market produce quality instruments, only limited often by our inability to comprehend their capability. Everyone will tell you to get as large a screen as you can afford. Don't spend your stupid! Look at used units that are offered on this forum. The knowledge you have of your Texas lake, coupled with decent electronics, will ensure many happy hours of fishing for you. BTW, my unit is the Echomap Plus 7SV. It is capable of everything I need.

I use 2 9" units, a Garmin Echomap+ 93sv (bow), and a Humminbird Helix 9 MSI G3N (console). I use the included Garmin maps with the 93sv, and have a Navionics+ card in the 'bird. Both are great, but the SI on the 'bird is really something.

The Garmin also runs the Panoptix LiveScope System, which I just got, and am in the process of installing. So if you only buy one unit, get the Garmin if you think you will ever want to try the LS.