Question on Lowrance FF's mapping capability (Hook2/Reveal)

My old Elite-4 DSI finally died this year, losing lots of waypoints and such sadly.  I did have a Elite-4 HDI and started finally using it which I do like except I was thinking a 5" screen would be better but saw that this 4.3" wide screen might be a good compromise:  https://www.amazon.com/Lowrance-HOOK2-4X-4-inch-Plotter/dp/B078561F1B/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1ZFG9IGES09OQ&keywords=HOOK%C2%B2%2B5x&qid=1673570670&sprefix=hook%2B5x%2Caps%2C305&sr=8-2&th=1

I was confused by what it said "GPS no mapping" though and was curious what it means. I've always liked the base maps that came in my simple Lowrance units without buying some add in sd card.  I'm not sure what it means by no mapping though, is that no "map" or no saving of waypoints, or what?

I'm not really willing to spend a lot of a FF, so the Hook2 seems closest to the old 4-X models I've used in the past.  I've not used anything else but Lowrance in the last 10 years, so curious if there are other brands people recommend for lower end units. 

To me the only things that are really important are a reliable GPS with saving waypoints, seeing depth, structure, bait and a simple map on the GPS.  Don't really want to buy charts and such.  But if there was a good reliable way to offload waypoints from a more expensive unit, I might be down to spend more on it. 

I can’t answer your question, but I can recommend that you check Walmart or Walmart.com.  That same fish finder is on there for only $105.  They had a PHAT sale on Lowrance stuff at Walmart in December.  I got my Lowrance HDS7 Live for $500 off. (Yes, I’m still learning how to use it.)  It looks like a lot of the discounts are still there on the Walmart website.  (Free shipping for anything over $50 too.)

The "GPS no map" models are just waypoints and tracks.  You don't get any mapping (bottom contours or anything).  You also can't add that after the fact.

If you want basic mapping, you need to step up to the 5" screen, get the SplitShot transducer and then it'll come with mapping capabilities.  It comes with the "4,000 US Lakes" card and you then have to buy a card to have near-coastal maps.

Going by MSRP alone, the 4" with no mapping is $249.  The 5" with mapping and SplitShot transducer (downscan and chirp) is $299.  The cards typically run about $100 but you can sometimes find them cheaper on Amazon.

Dang...   Guess it makes me want to look at other brands then since it seems the basic map isn't free anymore.

Guess low cost fish finders with gps and maps are not a thing anymore.  The maps on this look decent without an upgrade (I think)

https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com/fish-finders/helix/helix-5-chirp-di-gps-g3

Is Auto-charting a good feature?

The basic Garmin Striker 4 for ~$110 or so comes in the same configuration - gps but no maps. I haven't found it to be an issue, since I rarely stray more than a few miles from the launch, and I can enter waypoints of places I want to check out manually - before I launch. If I was on a powerboat and fishing in more different places, then I would want maps, but for me in local water, not a big deal, especially with a little planning.

The Garmin 4cv lets you map as you go which is super fun. But im worried the day it dies and I lose all the information lol, next time i'd like to invest one with a chip I can save points too, or buy some used old timers unit!

Also for 14$ you can buy the Navionics iboating app and get some sweet contours on your phone as a backup gps. Easy to point out structure on this app so you may not need the gps on the FF.

Guess low cost fish finders with gps and maps are not a thing anymore.  The maps on this look decent without an upgrade (I think)

https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com/fish-finders/helix/helix-5-chirp-di-gps-g3

Is Auto-charting a good feature?

Hummingbird's auto-charting is the same as Lowrance's Genesis Live.  The Hook2 Reveal 5 I mentioned above does the Genesis Live stuff.  Personally, I find it a tiny bit useful in the bay, but not at all useful out on the ocean.  I imagine it'd be most useful on lakes and reservoirs that are less accurately charted already.

The Garmin 4cv lets you map as you go which is super fun. But im worried the day it dies and I lose all the information lol, next time i'd like to invest one with a chip I can save points too, or buy some used old timers unit!

Also for 14$ you can buy the Navionics iboating app and get some sweet contours on your phone as a backup gps. Easy to point out structure on this app so you may not need the gps on the FF.

Haha, I hadn't thought about what happens when it dies! I've only got a few spots marked, but some of them would be hard to find without a good waypoint to mark it.

Navionics works well for finding the structure, then plot the lat/long on the fish finder... Good to go!

Is Auto-charting a good feature?

I have found Humminbird's Autochart Live to be tremendously useful in clarifying the bottom contours shown by my Navionics maps in specific areas of lakes.  However, you'll need to invest some time and effort churning back and forth in your kayak in a grid pattern to produce those corrected maps.  See my post at https://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=23445.msg238947#msg238947.  The examples in that post are from Flathead Lake in Montana, which is 29 miles north to south, so it may not be surprising that the Navionics maps have some areas which need to be corrected.  You may find that in smaller lakes the Navionics mapping is more accurate.
 

I've been rocking the 5" Hook reveal with splitshot for a couple of years and like it. You have to be careful to not get the "X" version or you will not get the maps.
The maps only show contours and not the cool boulders and structure that the Navionics iphone app shows. So I still use Navionics phone app for rock-fishing and maybe crab pot locating if I'm trying to avoid rock.
The maps on the FF are useful for generally knowing where you are, how to get back to an unfamiliar launch etc..
Having it and the Navionics on the phone lends a margin of safety if one goes out.

I got a great deal on mine with Noqua battery at the GPS store, but last time I looked, they didn't have that deal.

My Lowrance hook 5 quit last year as well.  It took just a little splashing  to kill it.  Thanks for the heads up n Navionics app.  My 5 year old Uniden handheld vhs battery went bad and was irreplaceable.  The only thing working is my iPhone.

Same here, Dave, my hook 5 died with a blank screen and my Hook4 is on its way out with a "static" like fuzzy screen.
At some point Walmart website had great deals but does not seem to be the case anymore.

My old Eagle Cuda still works, but not bringing it out of retirement    Sounds like the Hook5 Reveal is what I want, if it has basic maps (non-x) just not the price tag.  Might be easier on my eyes though

My old Eagle Cuda still works, but not bringing it out of retirement    Sounds like the Hook5 Reveal is what I want, if it has basic maps (non-x) just not the price tag.  Might be easier on my eyes though

If you want to demo my Hook Reveal 5, you're more than welcome.