Fish finder

I have read a lot about all the fish finders. High def, color, sound, it just goes on. I have sold some other toys so now I want one, but confused. It has to be simple, easy to read (bad eyes) portable, easy install and reliable. Looking for easy straight foward advice and I need it before the 28th so I can install it.

Thanks

Your decision should be based on the type of fishing you do and your budget. If you fish the salt at ALL I highly recommend gps. It could save your life.

You can sometimes find some used ff in classified section. I'm actually going to sell my elite 5 gold if your interested, just got a elite4HDI. Do your homework and you'll figure out what works best for you.

Mike

I have a cheep huminbird piranha max 153 and I'm not a fan of it my only advice is don't go cheep when buying a fish finder

I'm actually going to sell my elite 5 gold if your interested

I'm interested

While not going cheap as in - $$ - low pixel numbers-  and small screen, There are a number of good FF's between $150 and $200
Larger screen size deifnitely helps. IMO I would place larger screen as a priority before buying extras like GPS or DI or HD. I have the Lowrance Elite 4, on my Revo, but the small screen is a pain, especially with the GPS. The Humminbird 500 series (I have 2)with it's larger screen is dependable  and reasonably priced

Your decision should be based on the type of fishing you do and your budget. If you fish the salt at ALL I highly recommend gps. It could save your life.

You can sometimes find some used ff in classified section. I'm actually going to sell my elite 5 gold if your interested, just got a elite4HDI. Do your homework and you'll figure out what works best for you.

Mike

I just ordered an Elite 5x HDI yesterday. As luck would have it they are having to call today for "verification" because my billing is different from my shipping address so that order is on hold.  Meantime I just see Lowrance FINALLY came out with the 4x HDI. We actually need 2 of these things but thought I try out just the one first. I could get 2 4xHDI FF's that do exactly the same thing for not much more than the price of one 5x HDI if I compromise screen size. You're moving from a 5 size screen to a 4 size. My question to you and anyone that's used both is just how beneficial is that larger screen.

Keep in mind the HDI 4 series has a screen size of 4.3" vs the non HDI with a 3.5" screen.

Keep in mind the HDI 4 series has a screen size of 4.3" vs the non HDI with a 3.5" screen.

Jeez, I didn't know that. It's probably impossible to see a hands on screen size comparison then huh. The Portland area doesn't have the 5x HDI in stock much less the 4x HDI. (I don't want the GPS, and get really funny deer eyes in headlights looks about that) The Sportsman show didn't have them and none of the dealers or reps even knew the 4x was available yet. 

Goes without saying when it comes to screen size; bigger is better.  Position on the yak will make a huge difference in screen size choice as well.  If it is mounted up hear your feet, a 5" is nearly a must to see it even without doing a screen split.  My experience is that most people gravitate towards the 5" screen size.  To get an idea of how viewable a 4 unit is, take a look at your cell phone screen.  Most are around that 4" diag. size so that will give you a good visual of screen size.  Sit in the yak & have someone move the cell phone around to get an idea of how large the viewing area will be.  It comes down to what you want to invest.   

Joel, what do you use for navigation instead of a ff/gps combo? My hummingbird is a combo unit and it works alright most of the time. It failed last year at a tournament and as luck would have it, it failed as the heavy fog rolled in. I was navigating blind for a while until I ran across some fellow kayakers. It made me wish I had a hand held gps as a back up.

One last thing to check when you order .....

   Be sure to verify which transducer, if any, are included with the unit.  They DO sell the HDI package with the traditional non-HDI transducer (83/200) or even no transducer at all.  There are some sites online that tell you everything the unit can do, but neglect to tell you that it can't do "all that" with the transducer they include in the package deal (or transducer sold separately).

   If you wsant HDI capability, be sure it includes the 83/200/455/800 transducer.  If it only includes a 83/200, then you will not have HDI viewing ... the unit will be capable, but will not display it.

Bill

Joel, what do you use for navigation instead of a ff/gps combo? My hummingbird is a combo unit and it works alright most of the time. It failed last year at a tournament and as luck would have it, it failed as the heavy fog rolled in. I was navigating blind for a while until I ran across some fellow kayakers. It made me wish I had a hand held gps as a back up.

This is why many of us preach about having GPS integrated.  You never know when something can or will happen causing the need for some navigational assistance.  GPS is not a substitute for common sense and some navigational capabilities/knowlege with a compass.

One last thing to check when you order .....

   Be sure to verify which transducer, if any, are included with the unit.  They DO sell the HDI package with the traditional non-HDI transducer (83/200) or even no transducer at all.  There are some sites online that tell you everything the unit can do, but neglect to tell you that it can't do "all that" with the transducer they include in the package deal (or transducer sold separately).

   If you wsant HDI capability, be sure it includes the 83/200/455/800 transducer.  If it only includes a 83/200, then you will not have HDI viewing ... the unit will be capable, but will not display it.

Bill

Bill,

I'm looking at the Elite 7 HDI at Cabelas and it says it comes with a 83/200 Dual Beam transducer.  Will this transducer offer HDI capabilities?

Thanks.

Bill

Nope.

   This is the reason I mention this.  You need to make sure, if you WANT the HDI capabilities, that you buy this with the 83/200/455/800 transducer.  It's about 2x as large, but it has 2x the number of transmitting crystals.  It is the 455/800 frequencies that produce the DSI image.

   HDI refers to the units capability to send/receive (with the correct transducer) on a frequency that allows the processor to provide what Lowrance refers to as 'Hybrid Dual Imaging'; you can see Broadband ( "typical" fishfinder look) & DSI (down-scan imaging).  DSI will be a monochrome look in your choice of several color pallets; most use the brown pallet.

   The same holds true for their entire HDI line.  The unit can do it, if you buy the right transducer with it.

Bill

One last thing to check when you order .....

   Be sure to verify which transducer, if any, are included with the unit.  They DO sell the HDI package with the traditional non-HDI transducer (83/200) or even no transducer at all.  There are some sites online that tell you everything the unit can do, but neglect to tell you that it can't do "all that" with the transducer they include in the package deal (or transducer sold separately).

   If you wsant HDI capability, be sure it includes the 83/200/455/800 transducer.  If it only includes a 83/200, then you will not have HDI viewing ... the unit will be capable, but will not display it.

Bill

Bill,

I'm looking at the Elite 7 HDI at Cabelas and it says it comes with a 83/200 Dual Beam transducer.  Will this transducer offer HDI capabilities?

Thanks.

Bill

The Elite 7 HDI at cabelas has the 83/200/455/800 transducer and downscan capability.  Cabela's just has funny item numbers.

IK-022683 is the item number. however it does not qualify for the $200 rebate that cabela's has mistakenly listed on the webpage, since those are for Touch models only.  But you can get the free lake insight pro or nautic insight pro per rebate.