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Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA | I just bought my first boat and have some modifications to make before muskie hunting next year. It has everything I need except the sonar that is on it is ancient, possibly steam powered. With a budget of $500-$600, what are my best options for a sonar/GPS unit that I can get map chips for? I'm not sure if I need the side scan feature, but down imaging would be nice. |
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Location: Hayward WI | Lowrance elite 7 is in your budget. I've got one on the bow, doensn't have down/side imaging but I like the screen size for gps/sonar view. I wouldn't go with any smaller sized screen. Spilt screen viewing on a 5" screen is too small in my opinion and you won't be happy with it. You can get one under $500 with gps and sonar. |
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Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA | I'm reading a lot of bad reviews for the elite7 how it freezes and restarts a lot. Do you have this problem? |
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Location: Hayward WI | I havne't had mine freeze up. It has shut down by itself a couple of times this year. I haven't looked into it, but there may be a software update (free) from Lowrance that would fix this. Overall, I'm happy with the unit. |
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Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA | I do like the features the E7 has, hopefully the freezing problem is rare
Edited by tkuntz 9/10/2014 9:24 AM
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Posts: 483
Location: NE PA | I have a hummingbird 798 HD SI on my boat and like it a lot. they can be had new in your price range now I believe. That gives you side imaging, down imaging, 2D sonar and GPS.
Edited by lennyg3 9/10/2014 10:03 AM
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Location: MN | Humminbird 859 HD DI is what I am getting next year and what I would suggest. The chip will probably push it over the $600 mark by a bit. It is compatible with the I-Pilot.
The Lowrance units are nice but I do not believe they have the depth highlighting feature which is really nice to have. |
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Posts: 566
Location: Elgin, IL | Nershi - 9/10/2014 12:33 PM
Humminbird 859 HD DI is what I am getting next year and what I would suggest. The chip will probably push it over the $600 mark by a bit. It is compatible with the I-Pilot.
The Lowrance units are nice but I do not believe they have the depth highlighting feature which is really nice to have.
I agree, the 859 HD DI is is a really good buy in that price range. |
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | Just sold my elite 7 this year and bought a bird 859. Mapping is much better with the bird, unit loads twice as fast, and has depth highlights. Night and day better unit in my opinion. I bought a second one for the bow |
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Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA | I just stopped by bass pro shop (because why not buy a couple more lures also?) I looked at both the elite7 and 859 and I think I'll go with the humminbird. Things might change by the time I buy it |
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Posts: 377
Location: On the River | I have a 859 on the bow my Ranger I no issues awesome unit for the money |
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Posts: 32927
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The 859 is a great buy. |
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Posts: 163
Location: NoDak | bird, highlight colors are awesome
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Posts: 28
| h bird, more features, better memory, depth highlights and I think easier to use |
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Posts: 42
| I just picked up a Elite 7 HDI at cabellas for $549 with a OTD price of $599 with a free lake insite chip and sun cover if you are still looking. |
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Posts: 146
Location: Alsip, IL | I've got an 859 n I like it alot. Mounted myself, and that took some fiddling to get right but shipped to my door and installed for $516 |
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Posts: 42
| Ya but then you have to add in a map chip as well which puts you up around the $600 mark. |
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