Fishing Electronics Advice

[kellama2001]

My husband and I recently purchased a boat (26' Tri-Toon) and we would like to start doing more fishing, mainly for bass and walleye in fresh water lakes.  I know very little about fishing and even less about fishing electronics, but would like to get some kind of depth/fish finder with a GPS for my husband's birthday.  I've scoured the web and this forum, and with my limited knowledge think I have it narrowed down to these two units.  I was just hoping to get a general idea of which one would be better or even hear about other options.  Neither one of us are very "techie", so it needs to be pretty user friendly. I'd also like to keep it in the $500-$600 range.  Any help is appreciated, thanks! 

Option 1: Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp GPS G2N Fish Finder
https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/marine-electronics/fish-finders/humminbird-helix-7-chirp-gps-g2n-fish-finder/p/1539327?channel=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%20feed&utm_content=free%20google%20shopping%20clicks&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9JjYxrud6gIVcgnnCh05QgAPEAQYAyABEgLQdPD_BwE

Option 2: Lowrance HOOK2 7 - 7-inch Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer and US Inland Lake Maps Installed
https://www.amazon.com/Lowrance-HOOK2-TripleShot-Transducer-Installed/dp/B077WHLZVT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=Lowrance+HOOK2+Fish+Finder/Depth+Finder+with+Auto-Tuning+CHIRP+Sonar&qid=1563844761&s=gateway&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=focusfishing-20&linkId=3c9272654027c9c934909fb33b575fd7

[Henrydog]

By the time you install any type of finder it is already outdated.  I would get the 5 model for half the price and really nothing that would not know your missing in my opinion.  Personally all you need is a depth, structure and water temp.

[Stein]

I would go with the Elite-7 over the Hook.  You can get them with a basic transducer for $599 or the better transducer for $749.

https://lr.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/35372/Lowrance-Elite-7-Series-Fishfinders.html

[dilleytech]

I would avoid lowrance as they often have issues and costumer crevice sucks. Get a Garmin. The quick draw feature is worth it alone. And the units are solid.

[kellama2001]

Thank you guys for the responses, looks like I have some more figuring to do 

[fowl smacker]

Now that I've had Raymarine systems, I probably won't go back to anything else.  Garmin does have a solid product though.

[MADMAX]

I would avoid lowrance as they often have issues and costumer crevice sucks. Get a Garmin. The quick draw feature is worth it alone. And the units are solid.

 

[Bill W]

I would get a Humminbird G3N SI for your boat.  SI is side imaging and G3 puts out twice the power of a G2 to the SI.

[Stein]

I've owned Lowrance units for 25 years and have had zero problems and haven't needed customer service.  Lowrance developed and patented the technology which is now under license to Garmin after a big lawsuit and cease and desist that Garmin violated and was spanked pretty bad in the courts.  Garmin paid up and is now using technology they licensed and are heavily marketing, but it is the same technology that was developed by Lowrance and has always been available on their units.  You can get the same options on either brand, the marketing and tradenames are different.

That said, from what I have seen on other boats, there are plenty of good options out there today.  I likely wouldn't have much resistance to try any of the leading brands.

I would probably take a hard look at Simrad units if I was wanting to upgrade, but for the fishing I do the Elite 9 I have does more than I need.

At that price range you can get a solid unit that should serve you well for many years.

[syoungs]

The hook2 7" was on clearance at sportsmans wharehouse in kennewick for about 450$ last week. Might still have some around. I like ours.

[dilleytech]

I've owned Lowrance units for 25 years and have had zero problems and haven't needed customer service.  Lowrance developed and patented the technology which is now under license to Garmin after a big lawsuit and cease and desist that Garmin violated and was spanked pretty bad in the courts.  Garmin paid up and is now using technology they licensed and are heavily marketing, but it is the same technology that was developed by Lowrance and has always been available on their units.  You can get the same options on either brand, the marketing and tradenames are different.

That said, from what I have seen on other boats, there are plenty of good options out there today.  I likely wouldn't have much resistance to try any of the leading brands.

I would probably take a hard look at Simrad units if I was wanting to upgrade, but for the fishing I do the Elite 9 I have does more than I need.

At that price range you can get a solid unit that should serve you well for many years.

Every one will have slightly different experiences. Personally the two lowrance I had both had lots of issues. And odly everyone I know personally have gone away from lowrance for the same issues.

The standard lowrance issues like loosing bottom, shutting off randomly, not being able to read bottom on plane. Just things you don’t seem to have issues with the other makers. Man that QuickDraw feature 👌 makes garmin worth it for that reason alone.

[Bill W]

one more bit of advice I'd offer on electronics is don't buy items on clearance as it's either old technology (and you will regret the savings when you figure out what you missed) or it's being discontinued.

[scotsman]

If you dont use it all the time, the Garmin is much more user friendly. Lowarance interface is much less instinctive than Garmin. My 2 cents.... when I used Lawrence i’d have to spend half an hour reviewing the manual to get it to do what I wanted... Garmin touchscreen just tap what you want and its there.

[kellama2001]

Thank you guys for all the replies and insights, I really appreciate it!