Posted 12/28/2013 11:32 AM (#680871) Subject: Best fishfinder/gps chart plotter---around 500.00
Posts: 159
So the old Lawrance x17 is not working like it should...time for a replacement..
Do not want to spend 2000 or on the latest and greatest..
Just want a good chart/map of the lake I fish--Vermilion--and a good representation of depth, bait fish, etc....not looking to the best--but the best in this price range..
Thoughts would be very much appreciated....Looking at the Lawrance elite 5 and the Hummingbird 698? I believe was the model....
Posted 12/28/2013 1:00 PM (#680881 - in reply to #680880) Subject: RE: Best fishfinder/gps chart plotter---around 500.00
Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin
5th lake Brad - 12/28/2013 12:49 PM
There was an HDS 7 or 8 on the buy/sell forum for $500. Pretty good deal.
I agree with watching the buy/sell. Guys that want the latest and greatest often sell real nice stuff and you can get a lot value for your money vs buying new
Posted 12/28/2013 3:54 PM (#680908 - in reply to #680871) Subject: Re: Best fishfinder/gps chart plotter---around 500.00
Posts: 43
Location: Waite Park, MN
Lowrance has the Elite-7 HDI for $699 retail. If you don't need ethernet networking with multiple devices, this provides to you GPS, Sonar plus downscan imaging. A single transducer provides both of the latter data. You still have NMEA networking for engine data, etc. Downscan is phenomenal. I personally use Structure Scan so I get side imaging, too, but for the price to get all these features, It's a great product.
Posted 12/29/2013 9:25 PM (#681139 - in reply to #680871) Subject: Re: Best fishfinder/gps chart plotter---around 500.00
Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI
You can buy an elite 7 with the 83/200 transducer for $549. All the elite 7 features just no down imaging. If in the future you wish to add down imaging you just need to buy the 455/800 transducer and your set. I also replaced a lcx 17 with my elite 7 and really like it. I thought the mapping was just average but I see there is an upgrade for it so now I'll see if I like it better.
Posted 12/30/2013 4:48 PM (#681278 - in reply to #681151) Subject: Re: Best fishfinder/gps chart plotter---around 500.00
Posts: 32924
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Then you need to learn how to use it, Jed. Seriously, it takes some learning to maximize the potential of ANY sonar. I am a picky bastard, used Lowrance all of my life other than small bow mount 'Birds, and went with a couple 'Birds last season and really am happy with them. I have a Humminbird 998c HD SI Combo on the stern and a Humminbird 678C HD DI on the bow.
Watch all three videos, Jason does a nice job explaining the unit and Keith shows how to find and explore a crib using SI. It did take me some time.
The attached image is SI of a crib on one of my favorite lakes up here.
Learn how to set each unit up to maximize it's abilities for your use and both brands are pretty cool.
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Bird SI.jpg (90KB - 192 downloads)
