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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | I am looking to get a new locator this winter.
I have somewhat narrowed it down to the Helix 7 with SI, or the Lowrance HDS 7 Gen 2.
These seem to be similar (and similar priced).
Any thoughts by anybody on these units? Or something else in the same price range? I really want it to have SI. |
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Posts: 1087
Location: Hayward, WI | A better comparison would be 899 vs HDS 7 Gen 2. They are both being replaced and can be found for very good deals currently. Lowrance will be bring out a new unit that is similar to the Helix 7.
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Posts: 194
Location: Lake Elmo, MN | I have had each generation of the Lowrance units (Gen 1 and Gen2) and have found them to be OK. If I had to grade them out I'd say the Gen 1 was a "C+" and the Gen 2 a "B+". Currently run the HDS 10 Gen2, and the 8 Gen2 at the bow.
Depending on how Lowrance changes their unit this year, I may make a change again. I like the clear screen on the Humminbirds and they have a great and ever developing interface with MinnKota. Humminbird just seems to move faster to market with new and interesting developments. Lowrance to me seems a bit slow on this .
But don't get me wrong....the Lowrance has been fine for me over the years. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Cabelas has the Garmin echoMAP 73sv on sale right now. Comes with pre-loaded maps with 1' contours. Also does side and down imaging.
Anyone familiar with this unit? |
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Posts: 100
| The Helix 7 cannot be networked if that is important to you.
You have to go up to the next model to get that capability. |
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Posts: 183
| If you want to hold on Lowrance has a new Elite 7 Ti touch screen coming with Chirp, 2D, DownScan and Sidescan for about 700.00 clams |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | kirth - 12/24/2015 8:30 AM
If you want to hold on Lowrance has a new Elite 7 Ti touch screen coming with Chirp, 2D, DownScan and Sidescan for about 700.00 clams
I have not purchased anything yet.
I am starting to think I would like to get something that links to the trolling motor. I plan on buying a new one of those as well this off-season. |
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Posts: 2752
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | kirth - 12/24/2015 8:30 AM
If you want to hold on Lowrance has a new Elite 7 Ti touch screen coming with Chirp, 2D, DownScan and Sidescan for about 700.00 clams
Its illegal to possess native clams in WI, so you'd have to import 700 quahogs from RI if you're purchasing it in WI.
Have fun!
Al |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | I made a decision. I purchased a Helix 9 with SI. Decided I might need the networking capability someday.
Any reason why I can't power the unit up with a battery and play around with it now? With no transducer connected. |
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| No reason whatever. I do it in the winter sometimes. |
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Posts: 106
| 14ledo81 - 12/31/2015 1:38 PM
I made a decision. I purchased a Helix 9 with SI. Decided I might need the networking capability someday.
Any reason why I can't power the unit up with a battery and play around with it now? With no transducer connected.
If you run it very long without a transducer connected turn the sonar off.
I have heard it is bad for the units for them to try to power a transducer when there isn't one connected. |
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