Fish Finder Recommendation

I'm in the market for an inexpensive FF/Charter for $300 or less.   I'm planning to use this for inshore fishing to target rockfish and ling.   I've been eyeing the current deals on the Lowrance units at West Marine.  The Hook-4 w/Navioncs+ is $280 with the rebate while the Elite-5 HDI CHIRP w/ Navionic+ is $300.  Then there is also the less powerful HDI-4 for $170. 

I know the question of the difference between the Hook and Elite has come up a couple of times, but I have not seen a definitive response to whether it's just a rebranding or if there is any upgrade in the newer Hook models.  More than likely the HDI-4 is all I really need, but I thought that I'd get some opinions or alternative suggestions.

The hook and chirp series are the same just re-designed pretty much..

The HDI and chirp are a little different as far as the Hybrid Imaging vs the Chrip technology.

I'd go to west marine in SC and buy the Elite 4 HDI for $119. Comes with the Navionics Pro Mapping Chip ($100 value) and a suncover ($25 value)

The Elite 5 HDI is $299 on clearance at all west marines if looking for a little bigger unit. Personally I loved my Elite 4 HDI and now I have the 7 Chirp.. I don't know what to do with the beast or better yet, where to mount it 🤓

I'd go with the deal at west marine too good to pass up. Happy hunting!

Thanks for the info Austin.   That's what I was looking for.   I think that CHIRP and Nav+ would be nice to have, but more than likely, all I really need is DSI to be able to find structure.

One other question - do you know the difference between Navionics Gold verses plus?   

-Tony

I don't... I've used them both, fishingforthecure aka Bill is the Lowrance master send him a PM. I have Pro and Plus and I've used gold I saw a difference between plus / gold vs pro but not much of one between plus and gold. I think the areas and details are more in tune on the pro..

Navionics + is what was formerly called Gold (so I'm advised).

DSI is good for finding structure, but not necessarily traditional fish.  Most units now include the HDI transducer is hich means it will both CHIRP & DSI.

Bill

The Hook and Elite series are not quite the same.  You can't use the 50hz transducer range with the Hook - not that it matters much - and the custom settings are different - there are fewer setting available with the Hook series.

I have a Hook-4 HDI and an Elite-4 HDI and they are similar, but not the same.  I like them both.