Fish Finder Recommendations

I am looking to upgrade from my Humminbird Matrix 17. We fish on a pontoon. We mainly troll for crappie, stripers and hybrids on exclusively on main lake area of the Rez. I would like the fish finder to have GPS and a lake map. The Matrix 17 is ok but without mapping makes it hard to find the ledges and channels. I have been thinking (and lusting after) about a SI unit (898 and 998) but have had a hard time pulling the trigger based on price.

I am looking at a Lowrance Elite-7 HDI Combo 83/200/455/800 or a Humminbird 898.

Recommendations on these or are there better choices?

Thank you.

I would recommend an HDS 7, or 8 with insite maps if u can swing the price. Not sure the 7 dsi is available with insite, but I'm sure it will accept the chip. IMO Down imaging is over rated for trolling or at least for me, the way I fish. Side imaging is nice and could be added later with the HDS. I may be wrong but with the 7 dsi, I don't think u get traditional 2d imaging without an additional transducer. Check me on that. And it may be avail. With insite built in. Again, check me.

Slow trolling? Humminbird 858cdi would be best bang for the $$ for slow trolling structure. It will also accept the Navionics chip and Lake Masters chips. Right now, the Lake Master isn't worth a flip on a lot of MS waters. Hope that changes soon. Faster pulling like cranks or grubs the SI models help scout water to let you move over left or right while pulling. Humminbird/Lowrance can get to be a Chevy/Ford issue, but $$ are $$ when you got to fill the tank with gas.

Exactly, Chevy/Ford...except O owns Chevy and that's why no American should even consider buying one.

I used to be a bird fella, then I got wise. Slow trolling is what switched me. The GPS at speeds below .3 would just flip out with no updates to my position and jerky maps.

Birds are great units and fantastic customer service. Definitely more whiz bang features and size, dollar for dollar...that said, I prefer the HDS over anything out there.

And Chevy, the unions and O can bite me.

Wannabe...

I own a bird 998 but agree with WB which is scary, the HDS unit for what your doing would probably be best. Get a seven with just 2d and in site mapping. Then you could add side and down at later date. Lots of Lss units and tranducers for sale all the time on BBC boards. Check BBG marine for sales on units.

Thank you. I appreciate the responses.

I just got an Elite 7 HDI and it has 2D, DI and GPS. Brian at BBG offers one at a good price. It accepts either make of chip and there is a promotion on right now for 1 year free insight mapping. I have always had HBs so I am still learning how to work this dude. It is considerably smarter than I am.
SeaRay

Forgot to add that the Elite 7 conbo has a universal transducer that can read 83/200/455/800 depending on which mode you select and when you are viewing both 2D and DI screens it reads them simultaneously. Told you it was smart.

HB
Heck all u really need is something to mark waypoints and read a map card. Everything else is gravy
imo

2d and DI. Good to know. See, I told you to check me.

Wannabe...

The GPS in the Elite 7 is not near what the HDSs are. Just didn't track close enuff for me.

I have the 998 at the console and a Elite 7X HDI up front.I love'm both.I'd say buy the largest screen size your bank account can stand.I have been a bird fan for decades but it's hard to argue with the 2d images produced by the Lowrance stuff.

I decided to purchase the Humminbird 898c HD from BBG. Starting the install tomorrow.