01-20-2015, 03:57 PM
Be aware that if you get a GPS capable fish finder, the GPS portion will most likely be useless until you buy an upgraded map. I have a Humminbird 581 HD-DI combo and the GPS was worthless until I bought a $100 Navionics Hotmaps card.
As for what to buy, the market changes from year to year and it would be best to research what Lowrance and Humminbird offer, "this year". I bought 2 years ago and back then Humminbird was the "best bang for the buck". Go to BPS, Dick's, Sportsman's Warehouse, and play with the fish finders to see what you like. Stand back from the unit as you would be in the boat and see if you can read the display clearly.
The Helix Wolf mentioned looks interesting, screen looks busy and small to me though, I would have to see it in person. The Humminbird 581 HD-DI combo I bought 2 years ago was $299, but it's being discontinued and can be had for $219 on Amazon.
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As for what to buy, the market changes from year to year and it would be best to research what Lowrance and Humminbird offer, "this year". I bought 2 years ago and back then Humminbird was the "best bang for the buck". Go to BPS, Dick's, Sportsman's Warehouse, and play with the fish finders to see what you like. Stand back from the unit as you would be in the boat and see if you can read the display clearly.
The Helix Wolf mentioned looks interesting, screen looks busy and small to me though, I would have to see it in person. The Humminbird 581 HD-DI combo I bought 2 years ago was $299, but it's being discontinued and can be had for $219 on Amazon.
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