Boat GPS/Sonar/fishfinder

[Lucky Eric]

I'm looking to buy a new boat in the future and need help with choosing the electronics. I've not had a boat for a long time so I'm pretty much starting over, I want something user friendly and easy to understand. Curious what others are using, and if it matters I plan on fishing both salt and freshwater. Boat will be a North River Seahawk.

[lokidog]

I think any big name makes a decent unit. You just need to look and see what features will work best for you.  I've had good luck with both Humminbird and Lowrance.  Lowrance has lots of options/add-ons and is what I am using now.

[Crunchy]

I've run Lowrance for years with good results.  I will.probably upgrade since my unit is 7 years old.  I'm looking at Simrad,  Raymarine,  and Lowrance.  If your looking for top performance be prepared to spend about 3 grand.  It's the transducer that makes all the difference.

[lokidog]

I've run Lowrance for years with good results.  I will.probably upgrade since my unit is 7 years old.  I'm looking at Simrad,  Raymarine,  and Lowrance.  If your looking for top performance be prepared to spend about 3 grand.  It's the transducer that makes all the difference.

Lowrance Totalscan - Pretty much what I am running, less than 2K

http://www.thedigitaloasis.com/Lowrance-HDS12-GEN3-Totalscan-Bundle_p_52981.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8MvWBRC8ARIsAOFSVBUZbfvbWONWiriBxpexe8-UDVnQSlHiFevfj2niAY0eOGJJuhVmmdgaAg5XEALw_wcB#.WtPyNojwbIU

[KFhunter]

lowrance hds-7

still ain't got it all figured out, but it seems like a good one.


What I like the most is the touch screen, I can touch on the fish finder part and it'll leave a way point on the GPS part.   

So if I go over a pile of rocks with fish I touch that pile of rocks structure on the fishfinder screen,  and it'll put a way point on the GPS screen. So I can go back over it again. 

[Stein]

Lowrance, buy the best you can afford and make sure whoever installs it knows what they are doing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lokidog]

Lowrance, buy the best you can afford and make sure whoever installs it knows what they are doing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They are easy to install if you follow the directions.  The Totalscan transducer can be a bit of a hassle to figure out where it will have a mostly unobstructed view to the sides.

[Viking360]

Garmin

[Ridgeratt]

One thing to think about is if you are going to use it with a trolling motor make sure they are compatible.   

[Hilltophustler]

Garmin 741s is what i run on my Seaswirl striper. East to use. I can pick up shrimp clouds @ 400ft not problem 

[bassquatch]

Running 3 Lowrance HDS's currently and love them.  Keep the software updated and connect them via NMEA.  Also, for way more precise GPS and true direction boat positioning you will want to ad the Point 1 antenna puck(s).  The new touch screen can be a little finicky in the pouring rain but if it's under cover it's a non-issue.  I use a piece of clear Saran wrap over my bow mount when it rains hard, problem solved.

Good luck 

Try Hodges Marine Electronics for pricing if you're going to do the install yourself.

[PolarBear]

I bought a Lowrance Hook 2-7" with the triple  scan and I like it so far.  I was about to pull the trigger on the HDS but figure that it was over kill for my bass boat.  I looked at the Garmin but discovered that Lowrance owns the down scan technology and Garmin refuses to pay them for it so their version actually uses side scan and "stitches" the 2 sides together making an inaccurate picture. Humminbird Ray Marine and a couple others have paid to use Lowrances down scan technology.  The Graphics are better, IMO on the Garmin as well as the mapping but the detail in the actual down scan sonar is not as good.   

[Lucky Eric]

Thanks guys for all the responses. I've been looking really hard at the Lowrance models. One question I have is the only difference between the hds 7 and the hds 9 the screen size.

[Crunchy]

I have an HDS8 so yes the number is screen size 7,8,9, and 12.  Of course there is now HDS Gen2 and Gen3, and latest I think is the Carbon.  Newer the model the more money $$$. 

[fishngamereaper]

I switched from Lowrance to Simrad (same company mostly) and the Simrad out performs the HDS. The lowrance is still a good option, but remember you get what you pay for. You can find used HDS gen 2's for really cheap now because its old technology but they still work for most, especially with a P66 transducer. If you buy new make sure what you get is Chirp sonar compatible. The technology of Chirp is a game changer. For really good bottom detail and ability to hold bottom on step start with an Airma TM150. IF you want me spend your money I'm game, just hollor.