Thread: Jumping into the SI market

Can't go wrong with the Helix

Originally Posted by jeepguyjames

Yea the helix is def more budget friendly ....... And quite honestly better than any graph I have ever owned ...... My eagles a 5 inch screen, my lowrance is smaller....... Either way I go it's a big upgrade ...... Fact is once i do it I'm stuck with em for a while so def wanna do it right

go to arkansas forum and look at my first time out pictures with my new lowrance Hds 7 gen 2 touch. pricey, but can't be beat in the long run. look for thread "Hds 7 first time out, not a clue". ibmack

Originally Posted by crappiemax

James
Since you already know I'm a real fan of the Lowrance products I had to look up those Helix 5 series units. It looks like a nice unit but as we all know BIGGER IS BETTER when it comes to using SI. One of the complaints I've heard from some Bird users is that side bar being so big on some of the units. It seems to me it would be better served if that info was displayed along the top or bottom of the screen giving the user the full 5" screen width to work with. Now 5" turns into 4" and if you split the screen with another view (chart/mapping) you end up with even less room for viewing SI.

I think one of the most attractive features of the Lowrance HDS units is the ability to be able to link the units together. Even though adding a 2nd unit now may not be in the budget just having the ability to add another unit later is an attractive feature for the future. As technology changes lots of time you can pick up a used 2nd unit for a pretty good price as guys are upgrading their electronics.
When people talk about screen size, it's usually always just in reference to just using SI. For obvious reasons big screens and SI are good together. Another advantage I never see mentioned in having a big screen is that big screen is also an advantage when using GPS. When you're out on the lake chasing these blue dots (waypoints) around a bigger screen is a real plus.

If I had to chose between the options you have listed I would choose Option 2, HDS 8 combo unit and keep 480 up front (at least for now).
Generally when I'm fishing I have the front HDS unit set with a split screen with Chart (GPS) & 2D (ducer on TM). I like having a ducer on the TM so I can see what's directly under me especially with the ability with the ability to be able to see my waypoints. The only thing I see missing in having the HDS 8 & 480 combo is not being able to share waypoints. That's not the end of the world since you can drop a buoy on your on your spots from the console as I often do anyway.

Of course you are always welcome to fill a seat in my boat once this horrid, miserable, never ending winter weather allows us to get back on the lake if you want to see & try it yourself.
My only regret in buying the HDS gen 1 units is if I would have known gen 2 was coming out, I would have waited and bought gen 2.
If anything happens to any of my stuff, I'll definitely buy Lowrance again.
I hope this helps.

Appreciate your input ......... Hope this weather breaks soon, I'm going NUTS!!!! ........ Annual Weiss visit coming up fast...... Hopefully we get soft water here soon

Originally Posted by ibmack

go to arkansas forum and look at my first time out pictures with my new lowrance Hds 7 gen 2 touch. pricey, but can't be beat in the long run. look for thread "Hds 7 first time out, not a clue". ibmack

Will do, thanks

Originally Posted by jmart045

Attachment 193788

Mine is only di but the screen size is the same. For the money I'm very happy with the unit.

Cool pics , thanks

Originally Posted by jmart045

Attachment 193789

very cool pics thanks

Wanted to say thanks for all the replies and input ....... After a TON of research and reading I ordered the HDS8 gen 2 structure scan ....... Cabelas has em in the bargain cave for 1299.00....... I wanted a unit for SI / structure scan capability mostly ...... So I was sold on the big screen idea ...... If the side imaging wasn't main concern for me I'd considered smaller units more ....... The helix line is defiantly ALOT of graph for the $$$$....... My dad has a HDS10 structure scan so sharing info with him would be a lot easier also ...... Prob wouldn't have go to wrong either way, just the direction I decided was best for me...... Thanks again all , God bless

Lowrance 7
if you want true down image