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Posts: 86
Location: Illinois | Is this a good fish finder to start out with? Any recommendations in the $100-$200 price range are appreciated. |
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Posts: 2024
| Not sure, but I have a Gen 1 HDS 5 and 7 I'll be selling. PM me if interested. |
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Check out the new Helix and Hook series by Bird and Lowrance. |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | sworrall - 4/10/2018 9:18 AM
Check out the new Helix and Hook series by Bird and Lowrance.
2X this. These are more robust line ups than the model you mention. They offer better performance, more features and larger screens. In addition, they are offered in a package that allows for you to learn on a platform of fishfinder that will be more applicable to the more expensive units that you may be interested in down the road. |
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Posts: 86
Location: Illinois | Would the Lowrance Hook 7 be a good option? |
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Posts: 422
Location: MN | Garmin has some good units, but nothing that makes a lot of sense down in the $200 range IMO, at least if you're looking for one device. For example, the Striker series does not have mapping. For a first step in evaluating units, I would look a the feature sets - which of the following does the unit have:
- GPS + mapping
- traditional sonar
- down scan/imaging
- side scan/imaging
IMO, number 1 priority is having mapping. You are giving up significant function if you select a unit that doesn't do mapping. Down the $200 range, you won't have too many options, so you can't be too fussy about the sonar. Just skimming, it looks like the Hooks do mapping, but you might want to check which maps are included. The Helix 5 with GPS looks to be a hair over your budget, but maybe you can find a gen 1 version or catch a sale at the right time. |
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