Marine Electronics

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Travy Miller on March 13, 2012 at 4:15pm

thats really good advice, i was wondering about the frequencies and what they meant. ill look into ones that i can add SI later

Permalink Reply by Erik Faiola on March 13, 2012 at 5:33pm

Thanks Steve, great response.  I was hoping that someone would get on and get into it a little more. 

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 13, 2012 at 7:16pm

I disagree, with your comment that the two do the same thing, there is way more apps if you will on the lowrance unit.  Are the needed by Travy, NO, this is where we do agree, I have had both units and I think the hummingbird is easier to use out of the package, the other bonus is that you don't have to have a LSS-1 to get structure scan.  I do like the Lowrance package better as a whole complete unit if you have the money.

BARLOW said:

go humminbird they are a great unit more and more people are using this over lowrance, lowrance are good units don't get me wrong but humminbirds are easy to use I compare them like an humminbird is like an Iphone simple yet to the point and lowrance is like a blackberry....gosh who would own one!!! 

both do the same function FIND FISH good luck!!!

Permalink Reply by Travy Miller on March 13, 2012 at 7:42pm

even with the hds-5 systems, still way out of my budget, cuz they dont look like they come with transducers

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 13, 2012 at 7:44pm

Ok guys, this is just my opinion, if you are not getting side imaging or structure scan, then I wouldn't even bother get down imaging.  I think you would be better of just getting a 2d sonar and saving the extra 100 bucks or so in order to save for a side viewing model.  Down imaging is just a down scanning puck, it does the same thing that a regular 2d sonar does, learn how to read your 2d sonar and you wont ever have the need for down imaging.  I actually hardly never user down imaging unless I am looking into brush, trees, you don't have that here in this state very often so it is not needed. Just plain old 2d imaging is best. 

 

Now with the side imaging is something way different , it views greater lengths of the bottom out from under your boat so finding that cover finding hidden contour lines, gravel rock hard bottom areas is much easier and faster.

 This specific talk about the Khz or whatever baffles me I don't really care honestly, just give me something that can tell me what is in the water.  Better units are gonna give you what you need.

 

Travy ask yourself this how deep are you going to be fishing what cover types, what are you looking for, this will tell you what system is best suited for you.  Alot of systems are super powerfull good down to 1000's of feet, do we need a system this powerful, probably not, you can get away with a system that is way less powerful. I think money is important to you and you want to most bang for your buck, if you already have 2d systems that are working, then keep saving for the side viewing technology, as far as a chart plotter it is really not needed unless you are going to run a long ways down a lake, a mapping software would be nice, most graphs are already uploaded with this info.  Again I would say don't go by  a sonar with down imaging as I think it is kind of a gimmick, save your money get a side viewer and when you do you will thank me later.

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on March 14, 2012 at 10:07am

Travy,

I wouldn't pay extra for the down-imaging.  I rarely use mine.  I agree with Ron in that I would save up for the side-imaging capabilities.  For now, if you want to spend the $500 or less per unit, I'd look at the Humminbird 587ci HD combo or the Lowrance Elite 5.  Both will give you sonar/gps with color screens for under $500. 

Permalink Reply by Travy Miller on March 14, 2012 at 8:36pm

so i have come to a decision, im gonna save up for 2 hds units with structure scan, so in the mean time im gonna go with a lowrance elite 4 series, reason being they have a quick disconnect feature, and i also have a small pond boat that i can switch them to and from each boat as needed.

Permalink Reply by Nick Culver on March 14, 2012 at 8:57pm

Good choice Travy. My dad had an HDS 5 installed at the console and the side scan has really increased my ability. Opens up a whole new world. I'm still trying to figure out all the features. The units aren't supper hard to figure out. Just have a lot of features to them I'm still trying to figure out.

 

Permalink Reply by Travy Miller on March 19, 2012 at 8:58pm

just bought an hds 5!

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