Let's talk fish finders...

[Buzz96]

Hello, I have been reading Crappie .Com for a while now, but this is the first time I have posted. I'm impressed with the wealth of fishing knowledge that is openly shared on this site! I have been away from fishing "seriously" for 10-12 years or so and the technology in electronics has changed a ton! It's time to upgrade the fish finders so I can get more serious about fishing.

I have pretty much made up my mind to get an Elite 7 HDI for the console with gps. I like the screen size of the Elite 7 and I'm thinking seriously about trying to get one for the bow too.

My main question is about the maps/ gps.....Do the map cards show enough detail to justify spending the extra money on gps for the bow too?

I'm gonna be fishing Greenwood and Hartwell mostly. Figured y'all would know the local maps better than anybody.

Another question is what's everybody's favorite map card?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[OK Crappie Slayer]

Buzz96 - I prefer to have the maps on the bow and at the console. When I first replaced my fish finders a few years ago, I elected to not purchase a fish finder w/gps for the bow of the boat. In hindsight, this was a mistake because once I locate the fish albeit spider rigging, dead sticking etc., I would like to "duplicate the scenario" by continuing on a contour in the same area or in a different part of the lake. Luckily I'm able to turn my HDS7 Touchscreen located at the console towards the front of the boat and follow a contour, but it isn't idea. Hope this helps!

[OK Crappie Slayer]

Forgot to answer the questions about the map. I purchased the Navionics HotMaps Platinum and have been very please. The map for my area is very detailed and has been spot on thus far.

[Buzz96]

Thanks Crappie Slayer, that's exactly the kind of stuff I was hoping to hear. I don't want to set it all up and regret not getting an additional gps unit, but at the same time don't want to spend the money if I don't need to.

[STUMP HUNTER]

The Navionics HotMaps Platinum covers our lakes on the EAST card. I been using the Hotmaps that came loaded on my DF but am about to buy a new unit and I will be adding the Platinum.

[SeaRay]

I have the Elite 7 HDI with a Navionics Premium card. The only issue I had was the slow refresh rate on the GPS screen. That seems to have been resolved witht the latest update from Lowrance. I have not had it on the water since I did the update, but using it in the yard the refresh rate is almost instant, and before it was up to 30 seconds wait.

Check carefully which cards are compatible with Elite 7. When I bought mine I think they told me the Platium would not work in the Elite 7, so I got the Premium.

You will have to play with the setting to come up with a screen display you like. Took me a while to get the DI looking like the pictures you see on the ads.

I would recommend Brian at BBG Marine as a source. They are a sponsor on the forum and he is very knowledgeable about his products. I also got a Ram mount from him that works really well. They ship almost as soon as you order so delivery is fast.

[gabowman]

Here's something you might want to consider. (I know a guy that bought one and he's well pleased.) This unit has 6 mos. warranty vrs a full year on a brand new product but if something is wrong it generally is straight out of the box. Remember, BPS says they'll price match.

Cabelas...

[Buzz96]

Thanks for the replies!

Most of the stuff I have read on maps it seems that most people are running the Navionics card. Must be the best on the market huh?
The price on that reconditioned unit looks really good. Lowrance is doing a $100 mail in rebate on most Elite 7 right now... I will have to see if that's on the reman units too. Thanks for the info!

[ofishlbizzness]

A small bit of advice. Stay away from the Factory Outlet website. They have good prices but be very very careful if you shop there.

[gabowman]

A small bit of advice. Stay away from the Factory Outlet website. They have good prices but be very very careful if you shop there.

What's up John?!?