Fishing electronics

[metlhead]

Pulled the trigger yesterday on a new 20' hardtop. I've got a month until it is fit and delivered. So, I am looking for good advice for fishfinder/gps combo. Budget would $800 top end and not really interested in downloading stuff. Have one of those on my sled and never had a need to import any info. Simple is good, and bottom contour intrigues me. Boat would be used primarily on the Columbia and near coastal areas. Also would be taken east for big water trips.

[Stein]

Lowrance Elite 7 ti will be in that price range, I would check Garmin and Simrad, but $800 is pretty tight and you will likely be getting a package deal with transducer in the 7"ish screen size.

I'm happy with my Elite 7 for the price, but just bought a new transducer as the package one has significant limitations mainly due to the lower power.

[HntnFsh]

Garmin echomap plus 7

[MADMAX]

Garmin = Easy operation

[metlhead]

Great info. Looked at both online for reviews.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Just curious. When you say taking East for bigwater trips are you talking the Atlantic Ocean? 

[bassquatch]

Have to be new?

I have a Lowrance HDS-8 on my Jon Boat I've been considering selling.

[metlhead]

I would prefer new, thank you. Eastern WA-Columbia, Moses Lake. These give me some ideas where to look. Is the side scan really helpful?

[fowl smacker]

Raymarine Element HV would fit your bill and in my opinion blows Garmin and Lowrance units away with the imaging detail.

[ASHQUACK]

I bought the Garmin Echomap UHD 73cv for.my 20' sled. Upgraded from the Lawrence hook and couldn't be happier.

[h2ofowlr]

Raymarine Element HV would fit your bill and in my opinion blows Garmin and Lowrance units away with the imaging detail.

I moved away from Raymarine to Garmin.  Way easier to use the Garmin and better graphics.  Garmin all the way if you want a good system.

[fowl smacker]

Raymarine Element HV would fit your bill and in my opinion blows Garmin and Lowrance units away with the imaging detail.

I moved away from Raymarine to Garmin.  Way easier to use the Garmin and better graphics.  Garmin all the way if you want a good system.

That's funny, I'm opposite.  Guess it's all personal preference.

[scotsman]

Garmin is much easier and more intuitive to use. Last thing you need on the water is, while marking a fish or location, is to try to remember which third level of which menu has the map you want. Lowrance drove me nuts.

[MADMAX]

I know 2 guys with lowrance units
They never turn them on
Can’t figure them out

[GWP]

If you were closer I would say come out and play with my newer Garmin down and side scan. I also have one of the early Live Scan set ups. They are pretty fun. Get the best you can afford now, then forget the ‘newest latest and greatest’ and use what you have. I still occasionally use the original 4” original permanently mounted for depth, but that is about it. Only if I don't want to fire up the 7510.