Planning purchase of $1,000 or less Fishfinder Combo unit with side scan. What are your recommendations and why?
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Planning purchase of $1,000 or less Fishfinder Combo unit with side scan. What are your recommendations and why?
Send me a sack of onions and I will tell ya.Quote:
Originally Posted by reeljustice
Address required. -:)
Whatever you decide.......spend more and buy a bigger screen. You won't regret it.
look in the classified forum, will probably find a good used one for sale. The reason they might be selling is to get a larger screen. Numerous comments suggest get the biggest screen you can afford (or can't afford). I have a HDS 8 in the garage I'm gonna install this weekend, sucker looks like a 50" big screen on my tracker PT175 when I was planning it out but I should be able to see it from anywhere on my boat, and especially when using SI when on the hunt for fish. We'll see.
I don't disagree with the "go biggest" statement per se BUT space is REALLY limited on a 14' Lowe 1440. I have 2 Piranahas currently ---- 1 for the transom and 1 for the trolling motor. I expect to upgrade the boat to a 16 or 17 with 60" bottom next year, but again, not a lot of room. So, given the "room" constraints, what do you think? and, Bird or Lowrance?
Boat size doesn't matter when selecting a unit. Get the biggest screen you can afford. You'll find a way to set it up to fit. Doesn't matter if it's bird or lowrance. They both do an excellent job.
I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by chaunc
I have a HDS8 and HDS7 and a LCX27 ad X47 on my 14ft Crappie Jon. Might not catch any fish, bu I sure can do a lot of lookin'.
Humminbird 798 HD SI/DI GPS combo/ 5" screen. Search around, you can get a new one for around $800.
Bassky
Chaunc gave me this same advice last year when I bought my 1st HDS unit. (others chimed in and said the same thing)I was going to buy a HDS 7 but decided to just go ahead and buy the HDS 8 instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by chaunc
I'm glad I did. I liked it so much, I decided to add a 2nd unit which was the HDS 7. I actually keep the HDS 8 up front with me and keep the 7 on the console for the guy in the back of the boat to look at.
My boats not fancy, it's a 18 year old Tracker. Certainly the electronics are worth more than the boat.
Like Chaunc said both Bird and Low make excellent units. You won't be disappointed with either one but do yourself a favor and buy the biggest you can afford.
You might want to check this one out : http://www.crappie.com/crappie/perso...8ci-si-di.html
or maybe even Humminbird 798ci HD SI Combo GPS Fishfinder 407970-1
(not a recommendation or endorsement ... just what I found after a short search)
... cp :cool:
Sometimes limited space in a boat plays a big factor in the "Hardware" needed to get the sonar functions one is looking for...
To get SI/DI/2d/Gps:
Lowrance needs:
HDS head unit
HDS GPS antenna (this may be internal I'm not sure)
HDS 2d xducer
LSS-1 structure scan module
LSS-1 structure scan xducer
Humminbird needs
SI series head unit
Gps antenna
SI series HDSI xducer (SI/DI/2d)
Be aware that the HB DI (in a SI unit) is a computer generated image from the data received from the SI crystals
Rickie
Quote:
Originally Posted by rnvinc
The Low HDS has internal gps, (mine does), I have the LSS 1 SS black box installed under the console dash, the 2d ducer will go where the old FF TD went, and I have to install the LSS 1 TD within 12" of the 2d TD. there is room, you just have to think it out, and go from there. The HB might be an easier install, but I prefer LOW, both should do you well.
Just as i said, you'll find a way to put it together no matter what brand you buy. Let's not turn this into another " my unit is the bestest ever " thread. Let's just help the OP with his main question.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimp
From a guy who took the 798 back to get the 800 series si just do it you won’t be sorry if you go HB that is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bassky
get the humminbird unit.good unit, easy to install ,works great. its a all in one transducer setup. its the only way to go (in my opinion) untill lowrance can come up will a better transducer option i wouldn't even consider one. actually they have took a step back with the newest transducer they have come out with. i think its 11 inches long. (what were they thinking on that one)
heres a link were people are trying the new transducer that lowrance has. i thought that i would post the link for you to get a better ideal of what im talking in my post above............ http://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-e...pressions.html
Hmmm, tried posting but don't think it took -------
Thanks for all the advice. I went to BP today for a side-by-side comparison, with a good, knowledgeable sales person of the 798 vs the 898.
No question, the larger screen on the 898 looks like it is worth the extra funds AND it is a bit pointless to get the 5" screen with all the information provided by the side scan.
Thanks again for all the advice.
Joel