How much $$$ do I need to spend on SI?

It has been a while (15+ years) since I purchased a fish finder. With all the new tech out there it is a little confusing at this point. Can someone point me to some good info. I know I want GPS and SI, DI, but other than that not toos sure. Cheap is usually a recipe for disaster that ends up being quickly replaced and too much usually buys more than you need. I am guessing there is a sweet spot with today's fish finders. I mostly fish shallow stained lakes if that matters.

I was a sonar tech a long time ago so I have a good understanding of the way sonars work but not a clue on the new software and functions.

A little help please.

Thanks

Save up for as big a screen as you can afford, then save some more and get bigger

The newest Humminbird units are good. I am thinking of getting a Helix 5. But as stated, you really want to get the biggest screen you can afford.

I did the buy small, then upgrade x2. Learned the hard way and lost some money but was able to sample several units in a short amount of time. The conclusion was that although they all functioned as advertised screen size was one of the biggest factors in the enjoyment of the unit. As far as the humminbirds are concerned the minimum size that is worth it is the 899hdsi. Anything smaller is too small in my opinion. The images on some of the small screens are great and sharp but just too small to see well while on the water with sun glare, water spots etc.

$1000 is a good medium. The humminbird 899 is all you need. To me the best balance of Pixels and Screen size. It's easy to use and not too bulky on the boat. I also like the new Garmins in this price range. Though, Humminbird SI can be fine tuned better to suit my needs for SI. The Garmin excels in 2d. Especially deep sonar. Garmin has better maps for coastal fishing. Though, the Humminbird gives you the possibility to map any body of water yourself and even use your own SI mapping.

Thanks for the replys. I will be looking at the units suggested. Around $1000 is doable so that gives me a number to plug while searching for make and mods. I guess YouTube is the way to go for videos and info on the use of the units? Anyone in particular to watch for? or other suggestions are welcome.

Doug Vahrenberg has a ton of informative videos on YouTube. i would go to one of the big chain stores if possible and put your hands on one in simulator mode. You will get the best price usually from site sponsors like calling Brian from BBG Marine or Shut up and Fish. Universal Mania is usually good on prices, but not sure if they are sponsors. Really check out the SI Enhance features on the Humminbird units. Be sure the units you are pricing come with the SideImaging transducer and is not an expensive add on or extra wires to run.

If you want excellent down images as well as side, the make sure you get a unit with dedicated down imaging transducer.

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Originally Posted by brettw

If you want excellent down images as well as side, the make sure you get a unit with dedicated down imaging transducer.

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This is the kind of info I knew I was missing.

Thanks and keep it coming guys

I bought a helix si/GPS for $470 shipped to the door. Couldn't be more happy! I've got the unit mounted back my steering wheel and have had zero issues with the screen size. I'm able to see the fish and cover just fine on it. Sure if you fish everyday and don't mind spending the money a bigger screen would be nice. I fish 3 times a months and for $470 for si and gps I can deal with a smaller screen and without all the bells and whistles I wouldn't use anyway. My 2 cents

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Originally Posted by crappielimits

Doug Vahrenberg has a ton of informative videos on YouTube. i would go to one of the big chain stores if possible and put your hands on one in simulator mode. You will get the best price usually from site sponsors like calling Brian from BBG Marine or Shut up and Fish. Universal Mania is usually good on prices, but not sure if they are sponsors. Really check out the SI Enhance features on the Humminbird units. Be sure the units you are pricing come with the SideImaging transducer and is not an expensive add on or extra wires to run.

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Thanks for the info. Did not see this party earlier.

Hays has an 899 with 12hrs on it in the classifieds ...

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/perso...0-00-shipping/

Rickie

Nice unit, Thanks for the tip but not ready to pull the trigger just yet. I want to understand what I am buying before I make the purchase. I am planning a trip to the local bps to put my hands on a few models and then watch some of the suggested videos. I will probably purchase from an individual on the site or a sponsor so thanks for the heads up on this one.

I bought a 598 si/di Hummingbird last spring and I think I paid around $600 at Cabela's. I bought it based on my needs and my needs are for chasing crappies. I am not competing in any bass/trout tournaments where I can potentially make the money back from winning, just could not justify myself or convince the "wife" to drop $1K on a fish finder. Although, if you guys would like to donate an 1100 SI, please hit me up :). The bigger screens are nicer and I believe the higher 900 models and above has higher frequency options. My $600 has been well spent. At minimum, I have caught 10X more crappies, burn less gas looking for them, and spent less time than I have in the past 20 years of fishing on a specific home lake that I thought I knew where the fishes were hiding. I can't see myself ever going back to stand alone 2D or down imaging. I can tell you this... I now feel very confident fishing new lakes/reservoirs because I can side scan structures instead guessing with a traditional 2D sonar. Good luck! You can't go wrong with any SI unit.