Best bang for the $$ Lowrance, Humminbird, Garmin, Etc..

I sold my old Lowrance elite 7 & 5 Hdi units. I have been reading and looking here and bbc forum on what to buy next. I'm wanting the best bang for the buck or bargain. I will want a SI at console and maybe bow or will just get a DI. I will want 800 for the SI and DI. Where I live (MTNS) the lakes are not offered on any lakemap card for the contours. This has been the main reason I have been looking at the Helix 9 is for the autochart. However I'm sure you can kinda do the same with other units but not 100% sure. I see the Core units from Hummingbird being discontinued and price dropping a lot. So there is an option. The touch units from Lowrance look pretty nice as well. But then again I don't want to OVER pay for a unit that I can do the same thing and save $$$ buttons work just as good if I can save. So my head is about to explode.... I'm not a advanced user on this stuff. So what would you buy and why. Am I over thinking all of this way toooooooo much? Preciate the HELP in advance

I just ordered a Lowrance Hook 5 to use in my kayaks. Just got it this week so I haven't used it yet but it seemed like a ice unit for the price. I ordered it pre-loaded with Navionics plus and got it on sale for $419.00.

Not as big as the Humminbird unit I have on my larger boat but I like the looks of it after opening it and checking it out. I hope to get it up and running and try it out soon if the weather cooperates.

I did notice that the Elite units which I believe the Hook is replacing have a reduced price plus I think a rebate right now since they are probably trying to reduce inventories on them. I almost went that route but figured I liked the newer version for the difference, but both seem like good values for what they offer.

Basspro had some Garmin Echomap 73DV's on sale @ $399.99. Garmin is also bringing out free software upgrades to do your own mapping. You could call around and see if they have any left. They are a good unit.

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Originally Posted by Shellback

Basspro had some Garmin Echomap 73DV's on sale @ $399.99. Garmin is also bringing out free software upgrades to do your own mapping. You could call around and see if they have any left. They are a good unit.

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Do you have a link to info for these free upgrades that Garmin is coming out with? I'm in the market.

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Originally Posted by callmecamo

Do you have a link to info for these free upgrades that Garmin is coming out with? I'm in the market.

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You can find some info here. Garmin Quickdraw update - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

Humminbird best bang for your buck. The Helix 9 and up have Autochart Live on them. Others also will take Autochart Pro. Both allow you to map any body of water.

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Originally Posted by crappielimits

Humminbird best bang for your buck. The Helix 9 and up have Autochart Live on them. Others also will take Autochart Pro. Both allow you to map any body of water.

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Would it be best to go after core series instead of the Helix? Especially with everyone dropping price. Tough decisions I just don't want to buy something that's gonna be outdated or spend the extra money when a last yr model will be just as good. I don't want to be the type that has to have the latest if in fact it's not $$$ wise better. If you get what I'm saying.

How does the mapping work with other units? What all will I be required to purchase extra? Will I have to buy a program to convert anything or when I map it will it be there on the SD and I be good to go. See I'm very new to all this. I would normally just pull in somewhere and fish no depth finder or anything. But now have a boat and want to catch loads of crappie and it be and enjoyable trip out everytime. So by using electronics I think this can be accomplished. Will save lots of time fishing dead waters.

Best bang for the buck is gonna be any used unit from all three, whether an HB core series, a Lowrance gen1/2, or even the Garmin sv series pre-chirp.

Generally speaking for mapping, HB supports LakeMaster, Navionics, and AutoChart. Lowrance has Insight and Navionics, and Garmin supports themselves.

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Originally Posted by gixxer420

Would it be best to go after core series instead of the Helix? Especially with everyone dropping price. Tough decisions I just don't want to buy something that's gonna be outdated or spend the extra money when a last yr model will be just as good. I don't want to be the type that has to have the latest if in fact it's not $$$ wise better. If you get what I'm saying.

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I would buy the Helix over the Core units. Helix has a faster processor, higher screen resolution, Auto Chart and will be supported longer.

I have 3 HDS touch units on my boat. I don't really need all the features. I just think they are a cool tool.

I just bought 2 hummingbird 899's SI for just over $1000 for the pair.

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Originally Posted by Greenwing

I would buy the Helix over the Core units. Helix has a faster processor, higher screen resolution, Auto Chart and will be supported longer.

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I think some of the Helix models are really not as good as the core units. Compare this the Humminbird 899ci HD SI to the Helix 7 SI this was taken for another post on here.

899 ...: (yes, it's being discontinued but will receive the same updates as production units as long as the hardware is capable of utilizing the added features ... And will also be service-able way beyond update life) ...

*Faster Processor than the 7 ...
*3 preset view buttons ...
*2 SD Card slots ...
*Navionics Platinum supported ...
*Ethernet supported ...
*External GPS antenna supported ...
*360 supported ...
*800kHz SI frequency with XHS 9 HDSI 180 T supported ...
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HELIX 7 ...:

*Wider format screen ...
*Brighter screen ...
*Longer service life ...
*No preset view buttons ...
*1 SD Card slot ...
*Navionics Platinum not supported ...
*Ethernet not supported ...
*External GPS antenna not supported ...
*360 not supported ...
*800kHz SI frequency not supported with any xducer ...

I have an 858cDI which I am very happy with. But I'm curious if anyone knows whether if I would ever want to upgrade to a new unit would the current wiring would still work or would me boat have to be rewired?

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Originally Posted by scrat

I think some of the Helix models are really not as good as the core units. Compare this the Humminbird 899ci HD SI to the Helix 7 SI this was taken for another post on here.

899 ...: (yes, it's being discontinued but will receive the same updates as production units as long as the hardware is capable of utilizing the added features ... And will also be service-able way beyond update life) ...

*Faster Processor than the 7 ...
*3 preset view buttons ...
*2 SD Card slots ...
*Navionics Platinum supported ...
*Ethernet supported ...
*External GPS antenna supported ...
*360 supported ...
*800kHz SI frequency with XHS 9 HDSI 180 T supported ...
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HELIX 7 ...:

*Wider format screen ...
*Brighter screen ...
*Longer service life ...
*No preset view buttons ...
*1 SD Card slot ...
*Navionics Platinum not supported ...
*Ethernet not supported ...
*External GPS antenna not supported ...
*360 not supported ...
*800kHz SI frequency not supported with any xducer ...

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Yeah I should have said Helix 9, 10 and 12. I thought he mentioned the Helix 9 but it was another poster.

I actually bought the 899 over the helix this was after talking to hummingbird themselves and what they said. The 899 actually has more features and bang for the buck the lady I talked to said she thinks it's a better unit than the new 7. That was good enough for me.

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Originally Posted by Slow Retrieve

I have an 858cDI which I am very happy with. But I'm curious if anyone knows whether if I would ever want to upgrade to a new unit would the current wiring would still work or would me boat have to be rewired?

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All HB DI units come with the same XNT 9 DI T xducer ...

All HB units (except ONIX, ION, and real old stuff) can use the same power cord ...

Rickie

Rickie, my choice would be a Helix 9. I have a 18ft boat and think that screen would be plenty big.. Which of the core units would be better? Heck 2k for the helix surely I get get better bang with something. Has anyone seen any good deals on the core units? Cabell had 899s for 599 but not anymore. Be nice to find the 1199 for cheap..

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Originally Posted by gixxer420

Rickie, my choice would be a Helix 9. I have a 18ft boat and think that screen would be plenty big.. Which of the core units would be better? Heck 2k for the helix surely I get get better bang with something. Has anyone seen any good deals on the core units? Cabell had 899s for 599 but not anymore. Be nice to find the 1199 for cheap..

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There are some still out there. You just have to get on the Net and search. Aw some guys talking on face book about it. Couple had found some 1199's. I would call Brian at BBG marine, ShutUpandFish, digital oasis, chech bass boat central for their electronics vendors, they have a lot of vendors that are boat dealers and such that also sell electronics. Though I have never seen one as cheap as Brian. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by gixxer420

Rickie, my choice would be a Helix 9. I have a 18ft boat and think that screen would be plenty big.. Which of the core units would be better? Heck 2k for the helix surely I get get better bang with something. Has anyone seen any good deals on the core units? Cabell had 899s for 599 but not anymore. Be nice to find the 1199 for cheap..

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The Helix 9 is much better than the core units. You won't find much difference in price. The core units will not be supported at some point before the Helix. The screens are much nicer. The Autochart feature is awesome. They will Ethernet too.

Thanks will check with Brian when he returns from vacation and see what kind of deal I can get on 2 units.

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Originally Posted by crappielimits

The Helix 9 is much better than the core units. You won't find much difference in price. The core units will not be supported at some point before the Helix. The screens are much nicer. The Autochart feature is awesome. They will Ethernet too.

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Yep from I have seen this morning it would be smarter to just buy 2 new Helix 9. Price isn't gonna vary much either way I'm looking at 2k.

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Originally Posted by gixxer420

Yep from I have seen this morning it would be smarter to just buy 2 new Helix 9. Price isn't gonna vary much either way I'm looking at 2k.

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Seriously consider one of the two units as a dedicated DI unit so that you would have access to good DI and SI imaging in the Setup ...

Rickie

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

Seriously consider one of the two units as a dedicated DI unit so that you would have access to good DI and SI imaging in the Setup ...

Rickie

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In that setup can you view SI from the console unit on the DI unit through Ethernet?

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Originally Posted by gixxer420

Thanks will check with Brian when he returns from vacation and see what kind of deal I can get on 2 units.

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Just did some checking for another guy on another site. Found Academy Sports has some 1199's listed for 1200.00.

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

Seriously consider one of the two units as a dedicated DI unit so that you would have access to good DI and SI imaging in the Setup ...

Rickie

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Most defiantly will have a SI at console and DI at bow. Thought SI at both but have decided against it.

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Originally Posted by cray

Just did some checking for another guy on another site. Found Academy Sports has some 1199's listed for 1200.00.

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Curious how these 1199 would stand up to the Helix 9. Pros and Cons. Rickie anyway of doing a comparison as you did earlier in this thread.

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Originally Posted by Greenwing

In that setup can you view SI from the console unit on the DI unit through Ethernet?

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With HELIX 9, 10, 12 and xx9 series (with new software) ... As long as one unit is SI ... The SI can be viewed on the other unit (DI or Sonar unit) ...

Now it's not possible to view SI on the DI unit and view dedicated DI at the same time ... In this scenario the DI unit is subscribing to the SI xducer (and its DI from SI technology) in the networking menu ...

Rickie

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Originally Posted by gixxer420

Curious how these 1199 would stand up to the Helix 9. Pros and Cons. Rickie anyway of doing a comparison as you did earlier in this thread.

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The comparison would be the similar to the 899 and the HELIX ...

The only differences in the 899 and the 1199 are screen size ... Processor may be a little better in the 1199 ... And the 899 comes stock with the compact SI xducer ...

Rickie

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

The comparison would be the similar to the 899 and the HELIX ...

The only differences in the 899 and the 1199 are screen size ... Processor may be a little better in the 1199 ... And the 899 comes stock with the compact SI xducer ...

Rickie

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Thanks. So what would you go with.

Cabelas has the 999 ci hd si for 879.00 with free remote

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Originally Posted by gixxer420

Thanks. So what would you go with.

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I feel the longevity of future updates and support would go toward the HELIX series ...

Plus HELIX already has some nice features not found in the Legacy core units ...:

*Widescreen format ...
*Brighter Nit screen ...
*Updated processor ...
*Autochart Live ...

Rickie

I agree with Rickie about going with the helix. But if you decide to go with core units Hodges Marine has the 899 for 599.00

Preciate all the feedback and help.

Many things can mean "Best bang for the buck".....so that is hard for me to give advice on. I am an HB guy...currently own an HB 899...but going to get an Helix 12. The HB 899 has served me well....I just need a bigger screen. I recently looked at a unit that the images.....si and di just simply will blow one away. It is the Garmin Striker 7SV. It has no mapping...only a 1Hz GPS...no SD card slots. But the si...di....and 2d is CHIRPed. Now I looked at this next to Onix...Helix...Lowrance...and if you all haven't seen the images you need to check it out. It is only $499. Now I am not getting one as too many things that unit does not have....but they are coming out with a 9 inch model that does have mapping. If I didn't get my HB's at cost I would seriously look at it. I've never seen images like that unit puts out...and yes I realize it is only a recording....as is the same with all other units sitting around it.

Regards