Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

About Fishing Products including Make Your Own => Electronics Talk => Topic started by: FrickerDude on December 29, 2014, 02:12:59 PM

Title: Fish Finder/GPS unit Help
Post by: FrickerDude on December 29, 2014, 02:12:59 PM
Got a garmin 50s Echomap for christmas that was unexpected.  Needless to say it has coastal maps and no transducer so I took it back to west marine and need to get something that will work for me...  I am stuck with West marine so options and price are limited.  With that said here are my Requirements and choices.
I have a 15 foot bass boat and fish 1 to 2 times a week in Tuscola County.  Usually only fish a handful of lakes and a couple rivers, might hit the Bay once a year.  We go on vacation on a new lake every year and I fish like one tourney a year usually at Fletchers.  I am looking for a good sonar with Down scan to help pick apart local lake and a GPS to mark spots.  I would also be using the GPS and sonar for fishing the lake we go to for vacation as I will usually fish every day while there.  I am looking at not spending over 600 total as I have 370 dollar credit and am willing to through in another 230.  
Here are my options

LOWRANCE Elite-5 CHIRP Fishfinder/Chartplotter with 50/200/455/800kHz/CHIRP Transducer $599
LOWRANCE Elite-5 CHIRP Gold Fishfinder/Chartplotter with 83/200 + 455/800kHz Transducer $569
LOWRANCE Elite-5 HDI Fishfinder/Chartplotter Combo $499
HUMMINBIRD 688ci HD DI Fishfinder / Chartplotter $469
LOWRANCE Elite-7 CHIRP Fishfinder/Chartplotter Combo with 83/200kHz CHIRP Transducer $599
LOWRANCE Elite-7 HDI Fishfinder / Charplotter   $599
GARMIN echoMAP 50dv Fishfinder/GPS Combo with LakeVü HD Maps & Transducer $499

Ready, set, go... I appreciate the Help  
Title: Re: Fish Finder/GPS unit Help
Post by: 32eml24 on December 29, 2014, 04:16:28 PM
Put some of your money toward a mapping chip! That will help you unravel a lake pretty quick! Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Fish Finder/GPS unit Help
Post by: Manxfishing on December 29, 2014, 05:01:47 PM
Get in touch with our Member Waterfoul
He works at Marine west, And he should be able to point out the best deals for you

http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=314
Title: Re: Fish Finder/GPS unit Help
Post by: FrickerDude on December 29, 2014, 05:02:15 PM
Quote from: 32eml24 on December 29, 2014, 04:16:28 PM
Put some of your money toward a mapping chip! That will help you unravel a lake pretty quick! Just my 2 cents.

I understand I will need to buy a mapping chip, but first I will need a unit to put the chip in.  Just looking for Recommendations.  Thanks
Title: Re: Fish Finder/GPS unit Help
Post by: Firefighter Jeff on December 29, 2014, 07:14:39 PM
   Oh Mike (Waterfoul) where are you ????   He'll be able to help you out !! 
Title: Re: Fish Finder/GPS unit Help
Post by: 32eml24 on December 29, 2014, 08:48:41 PM
Quote from: FrickerDude on December 29, 2014, 05:02:15 PM
Quote from: 32eml24 on December 29, 2014, 04:16:28 PM
Put some of your money toward a mapping chip! That will help you unravel a lake pretty quick! Just my 2 cents.

I understand I will need to buy a mapping chip, but first I will need a unit to put the chip in.  Just looking for Recommendations.  Thanks

yes you sure will!
Title: Re: Fish Finder/GPS unit Help
Post by: Waterfoul on December 29, 2014, 11:42:34 PM
Give me a call tomorrow at work.  I'll be there 10-5.  616-954-9822

We can work something out for sure.

That said, the 50s is a great unit and Garmin's new Lakeview chips are pretty good.

Talk to you soon,

Mike
Title: Re: Fish Finder/GPS unit Help
Post by: FrickerDude on December 30, 2014, 07:44:58 AM
Will do thanks