Printable View
I have recently purchased a new "to me" bass tracker pro17. It came with a humminbird 718 on the console. I'd like to add a new one for the front of the boat. I'd like to have a down image with gps unit. Can I find a good one in the $300 - $400 range?
I would also consider the Lowrance Elite 7 DSI. Whatever you decide, I would certainly give Brian at BBG Marine a call. He may have some year end deals that could save you some bucks. In any event he will meet or beat most any supplier and will also talk you through everything you need to set it up like you want it. Great to work with and one of our CDC sponsors. bbgmarine
Unless the issues with the GPS have been solved the Humminbird will out perform on the GPS side, DI on the Elite 7 is awesome!!!
Humminbird is fixing to introduce a new line called Hellix, gonna be a lot of bang for the buck and in your price range.
SeaRay is spot on about Brian at BBG!!
^^^theysaid^^^ I personally like the Humminbird 688, especially for the price. I had 2 Lowrance Elite 7 units and like Rees said,"Unless the issues with the GPS have been solved the Humminbird will out perform on the GPS side". I have been told that those issues are better now, but Lowrance told me the processor was too slow to update the GPS on the Elite 5's and 7's. The HB 688 does a very good job in all categories, but Lowrance has the best resolution....Just my :twocents
I'd spend the extra 25% and get a side imaging unit. 2D and down imaging are like looking at the bottom of the lake thru a microscope (generally 1/3 of depth so in 30ft of water ur only seeing a 10ft circle of the bottom. side imaging is like looking at a 180 degree panoramic view of the whole lake universe (ruff calculations that's 30ft deep by 200ft each direction=600ft of insane underwater vision).
it's the best extra $150 you'll ever spend in fishing. skip buying ur next 4 rods, 3 reels, hundreds of lures. you won't need them b/c you'll be right on top of the fish with the side imaging.
direct from HB $550
Humminbird | 598ci HD SI Combo
I went by Gander Mountain today and looked at a couple. I really liked the humminbird 688. They have the Lowrance elite4 HDI on sale for 199.99. Anyone tried one of those?
You really don't want anything smaller than a 5" screen and if you are planning to use split screen then a 7" is really about the smallest you can comfortably make out the detail. I learned the hard way. I have a HB 365 combo and it is really hard to make out much on such a small screen. I put a 7" Lowrance HDS7 touchscreen on the console and will look at the HB Helix in a 5" or larger for the front once I get past Santa Claus. :santa Yea him, gotta take care of the kids and grandkids.
I suggest waiting on Humminbird to release the new Helix series with wider screens. They are going to be very affordable.
buy the largest screen size that you can afford to buy, you want go wrong, I have a 958HB with maps card also.. haven't regreted it yet. I was looking more at cost than anything to start with also. BEST MONEY MY WIFE EVER SPENT ON ME BESIDES THE I-pilot II WITH REMOTE trolling motor
Just got the new 2015 BPS saltwater catalog and they have the Helix models in it. The basic 5" color 2D and GPS is $299. Two higher models with DI etc are $399 and $499, all with 5" screens. Be interesting to see what Brian at BBG can do on prices for these. I will probably put the base unit on my front deck to pair up with my Terrova's built in transducer.
I think I've found the one I want. I talked to Humminbird and these should be shipping the first of Jan. Anyone had any dealings with imarine?
Server Error
Only change I would suggest is to give Brian at BBG Marine a shot. He is a known entity to deal with and has very high marks with all who have ordered from him. Don't know anything good or bad about the one you mentioned but why wonder??Quote:
Originally Posted by fishing-preacher
With the Helix, would you have to buy the lakemaster card, or is there some kind of built in map system?
I would assume a Lakemaster card or even better, in my opinion, a Navionics card would be the best way to go. There may be some sort of lake info installed on it, but I'd upgrade.
I want the same but just sonar/GPS, may change my mind and go with the DI tho. Need a unit for the bow and have it where I can move it to the console when pulling cranks in the summer time beside my 899 so I can have the 899 running SI and the Helix running maps, located and caught a lot of fish this past summer using the SI.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishing-preacher