Thoughts on first fish finder?

GPS on your phone works the same way as GPS in your FF. Both work without a cell phone signal.
That said yes I agree the not having to deal with your phone and the capacitive touch screen out in the water is ideal.

FYI Lowrance has a nice rebate currently going on with the Hook Reveal and Elite Ti models. https://www.lowrance.com/offers/
I have the Hook Reveal 7" triple shot on order.

If you can spend ~$100 more, I would definitely get a FF w/ GPS and chart plotter at a minimum, but preferably with maps installed. I use a Hook2 5 splitshot w coastal maps. From a safety perspective, you want redundant systems, especially when you’re out on the ocean in pea soup fog.

In addition to the FF, I have my phone w coastal maps installed (through GAIA, a map subscription service), and I carry my trusty indestructible backpacking compass I’ve had since being a scout as a kid.

When conditions are rough, visibility is poor, and you need to keep course, the combination of the handheld compass and fish finder screen is really indispensable as you make way. Stopping to look at your phone won’t cut it.

Not sure if this has been stated in previous comments, but whatever fish finder you end up with make sure to use dielectric grease on all connections. When I first started out, I remember going through a few fish finders in weeks time due to corrosion 

Actually, gotta be careful w dielectric grease on the newer lowrance plugs that have the o-ring. Basically creates an airtight piston and plug won’t stay in. Detailed here:

https://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/729995-hook2-press-fit-connectors-popping-out/

Actually, gotta be careful w dielectric grease on the newer lowrance plugs that have the o-ring. Basically creates an airtight piston and plug won’t stay in. Detailed here:

https://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/729995-hook2-press-fit-connectors-popping-out/

This is legit.   I fell victim to this exact problem on my hook2 5" model.  After I realized what I had done, I used a Q-tip to clean out as much dielectric grease as possible, and I still have to battle it a bit to keep it in.  After holding it in for 10-20 sec, it eventually stays in.  Like the linked forum, I wish they never deserted the screw plugs. 

Thank you for that information. I didn't realize the newer Lowrance fish finders used a different type of plug. Fortunately my two Lowrance units have the older style screw in plugs.

Actually, gotta be careful w dielectric grease on the newer lowrance plugs that have the o-ring. Basically creates an airtight piston and plug won’t stay in.

Yep same problem with my Garmin fishfinder:

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Striker-Transducer-Fishfinder-Traditional/dp/B017NI17HQ

Which I highly recommend. It's cheap, compact, measures depth accurately, shows bait balls, and supports waypoints. That's really all I need.