FF advise needed

Well still in quest for the right FF for my new Outback. I got the Garmin Striker Plus 5 CV yesterday but returned it today when I realized that while it has GPS, there is no map... So now back to square one.

All the mid range newer models (Lowrance, Humminbird and Garmin) are now larger (7") and more expensive. I thought about getting the Garmin Echomap Plus 64 cv but it was not in stock. After getting home, I looked again at the Lowrance Elite 7 Ti2 HDI and the Hummimbird Helix 7 Chirp Mega DI GPS g3 but seems a bit big for a kayak and also expensive.

So now considering the Garmin Echomap Plus 44cv, any opinion out there?

There is also the HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2 NAV+...

Well as you can see I'm lost and seeking advise

Oh I forgot to mention, I mainly fish salt water

THANKS

Lowrance has several hook packages with 5 inch screens.

I use the Lowrance Elite 5 TI and has been great.  Think I got it around $250 open box/returned item from West Marine.  Just needed a transducer ($90ish) and I was good to go.  Hasn't failed me and easy to use/read.

Lowrance has several hook packages with 5 inch screens.

This was my first option but everyone told me to stay away from th kook 2

I use the Lowrance Elite 5 TI and has been great.  Think I got it around $250 open box/returned item from West Marine.  Just needed a transducer ($90ish) and I was good to go.  Hasn't failed me and easy to use/read.

Thanks. I found this one  Lowrance Elite-5 Ti DownScan ChartPlotter/Fishfinder with C-Map for $299 and just bought it.

I was going to suggest looking into the 7inch screens. I went from 5 to 7 and was glad I did! But I’m glad you found what sounds like a great deal on one!

I was going to suggest looking into the 7inch screens. I went from 5 to 7 and was glad I did! But I’m glad you found what sounds like a great deal on one!

In case somebody else is interested - https://www.strobesusa.com/hotdeals/marineproducts/lowranceelite-5tidownscanchartplotterfishfinderwithc-mapinsightpro055-12421-001

I use the Lowrance Elite 5 TI and has been great.  Think I got it around $250 open box/returned item from West Marine.  Just needed a transducer ($90ish) and I was good to go.  Hasn't failed me and easy to use/read.

Thanks. I found this one  Lowrance Elite-5 Ti DownScan ChartPlotter/Fishfinder with C-Map for $299 and just bought it.

Is that down scan only?

7" with sidescan.  Unless you have a fast boat, no need to get the 3D (the 3D typically also has bigger transducer aka more drag).

I use the Lowrance Elite 5 TI and has been great.  Think I got it around $250 open box/returned item from West Marine.  Just needed a transducer ($90ish) and I was good to go.  Hasn't failed me and easy to use/read.

Thanks. I found this one  Lowrance Elite-5 Ti DownScan ChartPlotter/Fishfinder with C-Map for $299 and just bought it.

Is that down scan only?

Yes I didn't see the new for sidescan at least for the kind of fishing I do

Get the Navionics (or other maps) if you can.  I have them on my phone and nowadays, I don't even bother take my FF, just my smart phone and I would fish the contour.

My advice would be go with the biggest screen you can afford, you won't regret it.

I use the Lowrance Elite 5 TI and has been great.  Think I got it around $250 open box/returned item from West Marine.  Just needed a transducer ($90ish) and I was good to go.  Hasn't failed me and easy to use/read.

Thanks. I found this one  Lowrance Elite-5 Ti DownScan ChartPlotter/Fishfinder with C-Map for $299 and just bought it.

Is that down scan only?

Yes I didn't see the new for sidescan at least for the kind of fishing I do

Maybe I'm confusing the terms. I think I saw a down scan only unit that didn't have traditional fish arch type sonar. Does the one you bought have traditional sonar?

I use the Lowrance Elite 5 TI and has been great.  Think I got it around $250 open box/returned item from West Marine.  Just needed a transducer ($90ish) and I was good to go.  Hasn't failed me and easy to use/read.

Thanks. I found this one  Lowrance Elite-5 Ti DownScan ChartPlotter/Fishfinder with C-Map for $299 and just bought it.

Is that down scan only?

Yes I didn't see the new for sidescan at least for the kind of fishing I do

Maybe I'm confusing the terms. I think I saw a down scan only unit that didn't have traditional fish arch type sonar. Does the one you bought have traditional sonar?

I tried googling the part no. and they all come up as remanufactured units oddly enough.  and on the stock photo they all use the same one, shows only down scan, but in the description in most of them says it has CHIRP sonar *And* Downscan imaging.

hopefully, and I think it's true that the online retailer missed a " /w "

I guess i will be able to say when i get it but i expect sonar and down imaging. Called them yesterday and they are moving the warehouse so they haven't shipped it yet....
I'll be traveling this weekend all the way to the following so I guess not really critical as long as I get everything I ordered by the time I get back from Prague to hopefully go fishing the following weekend.