Best depth finder for fishing brush piles

Currently I have a hummingbird helix seven SI, but it doesn’t do what I’m looking for. I’m just not impressed by the separation of the fish from the trees and it’s very hard to see those little pixels. 90% of what I do is fishing brush piles, I am looking to upgrade. Here is what I am looking for in order:

Under $1000
Great clarity/definition
Good target separation
Ease of use
Good customer service

Presently I am looking at the German echo plus SV9. However I am reading differing views on the clarity and definition of the unit. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated as to any brand or model out there.

I don't know but am eagerly waiting for responses. I am in the same situation.

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If you're not running over the piles with your down imaging, you probably aren't going to get much target separation with anything other than a Livescope. I have a Garmin Echomap 9sv (non-plus) and if I run over the pile on down imaging, I can see fish fairly well. I've never used the Hbird to compare.

From what I've read and seen HB Mega has the "best" side imaging.Garmin has one of the worst. IMO with a budget of $ 1,000 buy a used HB Mega unit with a 9" or larger screen.Larger screen really helps brush and fish pop out.
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HB Mega 10 will solve your problem. Good deals on them right now. Like Roy ^^^ said above.

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Originally Posted by trypman1

HB Mega 10 will solve your problem. Good deals on them right now. Like Roy ^^^ said above.

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Tryp, where would a guy find one of these deals?

You could look on Bass Boat Central for a used unit, just remember Humminbird warranty is non-transferable.

Garmin echomap 73sv side image
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Pic is of scanning a dock

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Originally Posted by FishinRanger

Garmin echomap 73sv side image.
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https://www.crappie.com/crappie/side...irp-73sv-pics/

best I have seen for images is Lowrance , much clearer than the other stuff .
some of the guides here still prefer them over other makers .

this is si with a Lowrance
but di seems to be even clearer than this
in this view as some I saw on another Lowrance unit
I can see the heads and tails of the fish .

Ketchn I was wondering what Lowrance unit is this ? I really like the images. I have always had Lowrance but was thinking about switching to Garmin.

Thanks

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I will ask him , he is a tournament bass guy and guide and that one is on his kayak
a larger crappie guide service I know runs them on the bows of their fleet of boats as well .
I also know a few other professional guide services and buds who prefer them over the other units available .
to be sure though I have seen some extra sharp images on a few birds as well .
that solix is real nice and I hear the birds are more user friendly .

I prefer HB....I use SI to scout and find the brush piles and then I use DI to fish them.

What is the advantage of finding brush with SI over DI? I have been doing it just the opposite, but I'm a rookie at all of this as well.

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Originally Posted by LabLuvR

What is the advantage of finding brush with SI over DI? I have been doing it just the opposite, but I'm a rookie at all of this as well.

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SI covers more water than DI. Once you find structure in SI you can mark it and then use DI to go investigate it more thoroughly.

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Originally Posted by LabLuvR

What is the advantage of finding brush with SI over DI? I have been doing it just the opposite, but I'm a rookie at all of this as well.

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You see brush with SI out to each side of the boat at greater distances than you can with DI. SI ping is almost 90deg to each side, while DI is only 75deg from center at best. (37.5deg to each side)

As you can see in this chart ... SI coverage range is in blue ... DI coverage ranges are in green.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...pscd6db070.png

I just got back into fishing after being out for about 10 years so I’m still trying to get used to using these new electronics but I purchased Garmin Livescope and it’s the best money I’ve ever spent on fishing. I use it to find brush piles and structure and nothing like being able to see the fish live and how they react to your bait. I have the si and di Garmin uhd 93sv but have only used it twice so I’m still learning what adjustments to make to get the best images. I’m an old dog trying to learn new tricks. Livescope is so easy anyone can use it.

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Thanks guys for the explanation, I can't believe I never thought of it that way.

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im a hummingbird man! . 10” mega gen 2
the haze is from trying a screen shot with the phone !
but the real time like the Garmin is using is definitely a game changer

I will be in the dog house NOW ….but I have to come clean
my bud told me that screen shot is a HUMMINGBIRD
9 inch Helix gen 2 si di ….my bad :Rofl
I always liked the hummingbird stuff myself
and to be sure I have seen some images on them that are crystal clear

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Originally Posted by keith149

I just got back into fishing after being out for about 10 years so I’m still trying to get used to using these new electronics but I purchased Garmin Livescope and it’s the best money I’ve ever spent on fishing. I use it to find brush piles and structure and nothing like being able to see the fish live and how they react to your bait. I have the si and di Garmin uhd 93sv but have only used it twice so I’m still learning what adjustments to make to get the best images. I’m an old dog trying to learn new tricks. Livescope is so easy anyone can use it.

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Livescope no doubt is the best I've ever seen for finding AND fishing brush once you have dropped your trolling motor in the water. Moving less than 3mph it is really easy to scan back and forth with the Livescope, cover a large area and find fish. However when your at the console, moving 3 to 7 mph I don't see how you can effectively scan the Livescope transducer over a wide area. For me that is where a really good side imaging unit works best. Find structure and fish with side imaging at the console, zero in and fish for them with Livescope at.the bow. My 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by Roy

Livescope no doubt is the best I've ever seen for finding AND fishing brush once you have dropped your trolling motor in the water. Moving less than 3mph it is really easy to scan back and forth with the Livescope, cover a large area and find fish. However when your at the console, moving 3 to 7 mph I don't see how you can effectively scan the Livescope transducer over a wide area. For me that is where a really good side imaging unit works best. Find structure and fish with side imaging at the console, zero in and fish for them with Livescope at.the bow. My 2 cents.

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I haven’t figured out SI yet still playing with it I think I need to leave the rods at home and do nothing but use the SI for a whole day or maybe we could plan a fishing trip one day and you could teach me a trick or two??


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Keith, I would love to meet up with you and take you out and show you my setup. You live pretty close. Hopefully the weather gets a little better. Send me a PM and I'm sure we can work something out.

That would be great I’ll keep an eye on the weather and we’ll plan something soon


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I forgot to tell you where I live Danville so it’s not that far.


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I have noticed why watching some of the crappie tournaments on tv that you see these guys have 1 of each on there boat. Lowrance, birds & live scope is this because of sponsorship or because one might miss something that the other picks up. Some of this boats look like desktops. I understand there is alot of money to be had but just curious. I have kinda been trying to pay attention to what the best guys out there have on there boats.

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I am pretty sure from what I hear from the professionals that the livescope on the bow is a must to stay competitive on big fish and the units on the console are for locating the fish .
I don't think it is about sponsorship in most cases but more about winning to get more sponsors .
my 2 cents