Help best electronic for $500 or less

Ok figured this was best place to ask this question. I’m looking to add electronics to my boat. Fish lakes like Sardis, horseshoe in northeast AR etc.

I want to stay under $500 and I have some things I want:
Speed displayed
Depth and water temp
Spot marker for marking hot spots or brush piles etc.
Paths or tracks that I can follow again later
Have read about real time mapping and that would be great if it works and is available in price range.

Thanks for any and all advice or help

Fishing 15’ aluminum boat with foot controlled trolling motor up front. Currently use old lowrance unit mounted to bottom of trolling motor that shows depth, temp and fish probably 15-20 years old

I’m not brand loyal or opposed to used equipment as long as it’s reliable



Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Garmin 7CV or 7SV-- if you want side vu get the 7SV.

Sent from my SM-J337P using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

That unit DRFish posted is a good unit for the money. I might also suggest watching BassBoatCentral electronics forum for a helix7 gen1 in your price range. If not now shortly they will be there for cheap with new units coming out.

Here is a good buy under your budget and if you fish Sardis in ms. You can buy a lake master chip with extra money which is best for big 4 lakes.
Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp Di/Gps G2 Combo - Marine Fish Finder

Thank you guys. Does the helix 7 come with auto chart? When I looked it said auto chart but then it was in the list of additional accessories for this unit at $199.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Is the sidevu worth the money?


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Looks like on Ebay the Garmin 7CV is $100 or more cheaper than the 7SV which has sidevu. I have a 7SV and the sidevu is worth the extra cost to me. You may not need or use it that much?

Sent from my SM-J337P using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Thanks DR.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Lotsa good finders now days and the bang for buck keeps getting better. Most are good and it's down to personal preference, I hope to be using my Garmin tomorrow!!

Sent from my SM-J337P using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

If your not in a hurry....keep a eye on EBay,about once every two months they'll have 15% off on sporting goods up to $100 total,Everyday I look at the "daily deals" box up in the left hand corner of the home page,you have to type in the coupon code at check out,and it will deduct the coupon code if you idem qualifys.

There is a nice 7sv for 300.00 in the classified ad's on here.

I would be watching for a Humminbird Helix either lightly used or try and find a Gen1 unit on sale. I got lucky last year and found a closeout on Amazon for a Helix 9 SI for around $550 if memory serves me correctly.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Thanks guys. I actually chose the helix7 that was on classifieds here and made a deal with him this morning thanks for all the advice. Hopefully this one will work well for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app