Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

[yumasdad]

The new Humminbird HELIX units would be in your ballpark are nice stand alone units but have only a 5" screen. All of the HELIX models are stand alone so you cannot network & connect via Ethernet cables to trolling motor or other unit on boat.
The HELIX is ok if you are just getting the DI model but if you want SI then I would go for a larger 7" unit. The GARMIN new SI unit has the best looking screen & is really easy to use-much more user friendly than the HB OR LOWRANCE models.

BASED MY EXPERIENCES GARMINS ARE BETTER BUILT, LAST LONGER & ARE MORE USER FRIENDLY. Maybe not as many bells & whistles as the other but who really uses all of that anyway. I fish fresh so I use just to locate structure, bait & temp then turn off when I get where I am fishing.

[Fishhead728]

Setting up a new boat!!! don't be cheap set it up right the first time

[hammer4reel]

if on that tight of a budget either wait until you can afford a bigger screen.
take a ride to cabelas, and look for NEW units being discounted on close outs. many times you can get them at an even lower price.
Just need to ask the salesman IF that price is the bottom line.

Only bad thing about that is EVERY electronics manufactures new units wont talk to older units. and if you want to add something at a later date you may have to make major changes.

Buying a current new model should allow you to upgrade for about 3 years

[Capt. Debbie]

Most people have a budget. How and on what is up to the boater to apportion.

If you fish the same areas all the time, how critical is much of this stuff? Seriously? He aint running out to the Canyon looking for swords and squid school 500 -600 feet down after burning a 100 gallns of fuel.

Simple question. . . . are there fish here right now under my boat. Y/N? The rest of the bells abnd whistles and manufacturer reputations are fluff.

True cheap junk wastes money due to failure. Ironically mentioned is the Hummingbird brand. We had them on Sea Tow boats in the early 2000's and were the biggest POS's. Displays failed. Fill with rain water. Pure (kinda) cheap crap. WE standardized on Garmin. I'm sure Hummingbird improved since then. I will never buy one unless that's thebest I can afford. IT's a compromise- means vs. features.

Moral of the story.... you want something that works and lasts.

Originally Posted by Fishhead728

Setting up a new boat!!! don't be cheap set it up right the first time

[MrAC1980]

I run one of those Hummingbird combo units with the built in charts/GPS in color and it's been great. 867c? Something like that. If you're not getting into wreck fishing then any of them will be good, but if you need good detail then spend the money.

[olbarneybasser]

Thanks for your help. I did a bunch of research and shopping around. Decided on and ordered a Garmin EchoMap50dv. Seemed like it had everything I needed. The 5" screen is plenty big enough for my eyes and West Marine had an unbelieveable deal on it last week.