What is the best Graph out there to show bottom definition in a reasonable price range? I can't afford $2000 for a graph but I would like something better than my Martrix 35.
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What is the best Graph out there to show bottom definition in a reasonable price range? I can't afford $2000 for a graph but I would like something better than my Martrix 35.
What price range you lookin Dan?
G.
Check out the Humminbird 778 or 788...........I love mine...........
humminbird is good, I had 2 of them, then I saw the LOWRANCE HD and bought the HD 7 and 8 and 5 and love them great picture, sharp imiges, easy to operate,
but like kit ask, what price range, you get what you pay for so do not, in my opinion buy less than you want, get a color,gps. you will be happy if you keep on reading and researching. good luck
I'am wanting a new one also and I've been looking at the new DSI just can't make up my mind what company to go with. They seem to be priced right but it being the first year out I'am just not sure.
I've been looking at the humminbird 596c hd di it runs alittle over 500 and I think there is an upgraded versioin (don't no model #) with the gps and plotting for an extra 100 I'm just not sure if I'm smart enough to operate it,but it sure looks cool.
I can make you a sweet deal on Humminbird 365i gps graph new in box never opened, $250. I prefer the humminbirds, I run 998 and 737 on my boat.
I'm looking as well right now. Wanting GPS one but don't know if the low end ones are any good. Lowrance makes one for $300 and I found one at cabelas made by eagle for $200 I believe its called a cuda s/map sonar/GPS fish finder. Any body use either?
I am looking also.I have a lowrance 135,a lowrance 640,and a lowrance 320.I like them all but want one with gps.Bass Pro has a Eagle Elite 480 for $250.00 and a Lowrance Color m68c for $300.00.Anyone know anything about them?
Just wait till the DSI comes out and buy one of them. Nothing is going to give you better detail then down imaging, period.
Thats what I'am thinking and waiting on.Quote:
Originally Posted by mduncan62
Thats a good deal on that 365i HB
I would recommend the Humminbird 787 c2i. The GPS is all built internally (hints the "i") so you dont have to mess with wires and placement. Like a lot of things you get what you pay for and this graph runs around $500. Has a great color picture and is very user friendly.
I am with Duncan and Longliner wait a month or so and get a Lowrance or Hummingbird with the downscan. I believe they both are going to make a graph only and a graph/GPS combo. I may be upgrading my front unit to the Lowrance GPS/downscan model. Most places still show them as unavailable or out of stock. But I feel they will be worth the wait to check them out.
I see several sites which have three models available. A grey scale model, Mark 5x dsi, a color model Elite 5 dsi color, a color model with chart plotter Elite 5 dsi and a color model with coastal maps Elite 5 dsi Gold.They vary in price from $299 to $749. If you have DSI does color make that much difference? Bass Pro has one model in stock, others say they will be available January 18.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...cSearched=true
Get color even if you have to hold off a little longer to get it. It makes it easy to tell the difference between brush and fish. It also makes it easy to see fish in a ball of shad and what kind of fish they are, crappie show up red while white bass show up more orange on a properly tuned color graph. Well worth the difference in price in my opinion.
If only one of your units could be the downscan, with the other a normal sonar, would you put the downscan on the front (with the transducer on the trolling motor), or would you prefer the downscan on the console? I will be getting a new one within the next week or so and have to decide. I say the front, as that is where you do most of your fishing. BUT, if you put it up front, then you can't really use the GPS/chartplotter while on the move; and if you have it at the console, then you can't use the downscan while trolling and fishing.
Also, would you prefer to have GPS/chatplotting on both units, or just the one on the console for chartplotting? I can see advantages either way.
I've been wondering the same thing. I can't see the GPS being all that useful up front. I also see on the DSI ads they say trolling motor-mount bracket option. Does that mean it comes with the trolling motor mount option or you have to buy a separate bracket?
On lakes like Truman, the GPS is worth as much as the DSI. Having routes, and saving waypoints for structure that you find is priceless.Quote:
Originally Posted by FAADAN
The only benefit that I see to gps up front is being able to mark waypoints at hot spots, or brushpiles, etc., right then and there without having to run back to the console unit. And yes, I believe that you have to buy a separate mounting bracket to put the ducer on the trolling motor, hopefully someone in the know will confirm that. My problem is, I definitely want the downscan with the GPS/chartplotting, but if I put it up front where I do all of my fishing, then I don't get the full benefit of the chartplotting function. Maybe some others will weigh in with some good advice from their own experiences. Wish I had the $$ for 2 units, but no can do right now.
I use the map feature on the front trolling motor a lot, I do a lot of open water stow trolling and I use the map for following the channel line, it also is verry usefull if your looking for humps old ponds and the like, Duncan always buy the best out fish the rest. (not out catch) just out fish
This is a tough call because there are really advantages to both. I guess if I had to make a choice I would put it on the console for my type of fishing. I use the big motor to determine the spot I will be fishing so I would like to have the ability to mark way points as I drive over the spot and then to scan the spot for fish before I get on the trolling motor. This is because I spend most of my time fishing open water brush piles. If I was dipping trees most of the time I would really struggle with placement of the unit. One thing to consider is using a RAM mount to mount it so you can easily swivle the unit at the console so you can see it from the front. Might be the best way to mount it.Quote:
Originally Posted by grb22
With DSI, do you think color is going to be a game changer? I can't decide if the color will really make a huge difference. If I was considering a new unit, I'd rule out anything that doesn't have down scan. There's just no reason to buy a 2d unit any more. Plus with a 299 price tag, even the B&W DSI unit is affordable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pole Bender
It appears that all the units are available at Marine Electronics & Fishing Equipment, Buy Humminbird, Raymarine & Garmin Fishfinders, Handheld GPS, Chartplotters, Radios, Radars & Autopilots Online
Just call them and see. I have bought several units from them. They have been great to deal with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alwaysfishin
x2
Thanks for all the input. I'm still researching.
I would say no not a game changer, but definately makes it easier to interpret what you are seeing. I also think it will shorten the learning curve.Quote:
Originally Posted by mduncan62
I e-mailed Lowrance and they said you need a trolling motor bracket: http://www.pronav.no/gendocs/Mark-El...ochure_web.pdf
I bought my first color unit last summer a HB788ci what a differance. Color is the only way to go.
Good Luck
N2
Not sure if I added this to the conversation yet or not but the GPS will also give the ability to show you speed when slow trollling or pushing cranks with the trolling motor. That is why I am wanting GPS at the front. More for speed than for anything else. But if you run over a group of fish and catch them while following a break line which is what I do in the spring a lot it can be marked and then at some point turn around and go through the area again.
I too have been researching fish finders and saving my $$$. at first I was dead set on a humminbird 597di with chartplotting. couldnt wait for em to come out this month! and I kept saving and now I have 800$$ saved, so I think I have changed my mind and I'm gonna keep saving a little more and get the 798 HD SI combo for a thousand bucks. I'm gonna put it on my console and get a ram mount so I can use it in the front too. I want to use it in conjunction with my traditional sonar to see what I've been missing and miss-interpreting. then maybe next year get a nice down scan model to replace the one up front.
I'll be going to get my Lowrance Elite-5X DSI/Chartplotter in the morning. This money has been burning a hole in my pocket for a couple of months now.
Will you mount it up front or on the console?Quote:
Originally Posted by bwillaub
Up front. I have a Lowrance 522c on the console.Quote:
Originally Posted by FAADAN
Picked up the DSI unit this morn. She shore is a purdy thang! Will mount her after the thaw......................that didn't sound rite...did it?
Anyways, ya'll know what I meant.
went and got mine this morning also
Quote:
Originally Posted by bwillaub
You've got a lot more patience than me, Billy-Bob,,,,
With a Nice Unit like that.....I'd have to pull her in next to the fire, warm her up, and mount her today! Might still be awhile before you take her on a spin.:D
Anybody thought about buying one dsi and two transducers and moving it from the console to the front when you decide where to fish?
I did this for about 6 months, and ended up saving the money during that time to buy a second unit. It gets to be a pain in the butt very quickly. The only way I'd only have one unit and not be on the console, is if I had a handheld GPS.Quote:
Originally Posted by FAADAN
If I had to choose between a fishfinder, and GPS, and could only have one or the other, I'd go with GPS. I can always figure out how deep the water is, or what depth the fish are at without the unit, but having a safe route, and waypoints for the spots I find is the most important for me.
some people do that, some have two depthfinder/fish id units up front, I tried the moving thing and it was a hassle, so saved up and sold a dog or two and now have two. or three, havent looked lately. I think after a while the fittings would get buggered up and loose, and that would not be a good thing.
Well, I did it. I ordered the Lowrance Elite-5 DSI Fishfinder Chartplotter for $579.95. BPS wanted $649 and I would have to pay tax and drive there to pick it up or pay $20 shipping. Best price I could find on the web. Also ordered the trolling motor transducer mount. I'm putting this one up front and if I can save enough, will put a second on the console.