Fish Finder Question

jayhawkokie

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
92
I have an Eagle Ultra Classic FF on my bass boat and would like to upgrade to one with GPS. I can't afford one of the fancy and pricy Lorance or Hummingbird models.

Is the a good reliable FF with GPS in the $500-$700 range. I can live without a color display, just want something that works good for a modest price.

Jayhawkokie
Grand Lake O' the Cherokees Oklahoma
 

KeyWestBoater

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
235
Re: Fish Finder Question

For $500-700 you can get color and a chartplotter included. I have a Humminbird 757C, came with transducer for inder $300 :D
 

Wee Hooker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 11, 2005
Messages
618
Re: Fish Finder Question

The Humminbird 565, matrix 12, 67, 595 and 767 can also be had well under that price range. My 767 cost me $285 delivered.
Search GPS here and you'll find plenty of info as this is discussed almost weekly.
 

slasmith1

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
1,028
Re: Fish Finder Question

there are several to choose from right here at the iboats store that meet your requirements and price range
 

Mikark

Recruit
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
2
Re: Fish Finder Question

Can anyone tell me where your getting a 757C for $300?
I'd be very interested.

Thank
 

whofan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 17, 2003
Messages
296
Re: Fish Finder Question

I don`t have any experience with this unit but I would go for it if I were looking for a low price with color not being a concern. 640 x 320 pixel count is pretty good.

http://www.iboats.com/Humminbird_76...3482236--**********.939957593--view_id.221411


The Eagle graph you have was a good unit in its day. if it still works good you may be better off getting a stand alone GPS and mount it next to the Eagle. Ram mounts make this easy.

I upgraded from a Lowrance x75, which is pretty much the same graph you have. Big mistake, I wish I kept the x75.
 

jayhawkokie

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
92
Re: Fish Finder Question

What I'm planning to do is move the Eagle unit up front next to the trolling motor and install the new unit with GPS on the console.

The main reason I want GPS is to mark the hidden underwater hazards prevelant in our lake. I'm new to the lake and don't want to risk punching a big hole in my new boat.

Jayhawkokie
Grand Lake, OK
 

whofan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 17, 2003
Messages
296
Re: Fish Finder Question

Beware of some of the Lowrance sonars. They have shallow water lock up issues, a software problem they have not fixed based on my opinion and experience with a x510c I had.
I have a 5200 globalmap that seems to work good.
Some of the problems the 510c have also applies to to lms 520 combo units.

I have heard stories of Humminbirds GPS having a slow refresh rate.

Maybe a Garmin unit could be a safer bet?

I don`t think the Garmin sonar graphics are as nice as the others.

If I had to rig a new boat now I think I`d buy a Vexilar Edge 3 graph and
go with some sort of a Garmin GPS. This of course being, money not an issue.

On a budget I think I would roll the dice with Humminbird.

Lowrance quality with their software is sloppy.

If you manage to get a good Lowrance I`d say they are the nicest of the bunch. They have lost my trust though.

Its a shame because the best looking unit on any display I`ve seen is always a Lowrance model.
Too bad they don`t work that good on the water.

My old Lowrance x75 was a great graph, flawless operation!
 

sschefer

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
4,530
Re: Fish Finder Question

Beware of some of the Lowrance sonars. They have shallow water lock up issues, a software problem they have not fixed based on my opinion and experience with a x510c I had.
I have a 5200 globalmap that seems to work good.
Some of the problems the 510c have also applies to to lms 520 combo units.

The software upgrade fixes that problem. Only happened to me once at 1.5 feet. The problem went away after the upgrade. Now I can see ground water through the concrete in my driveway, haven't seen any fish go by yet... Just kidding.
 

John_S

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2004
Messages
4,269
Re: Fish Finder Question

For underwater hazards, make sure you understand the GPS error with and without WAAS lock. It depends on how close, and how fast, you plan on coming toward these hazards, too.

PS; There is a reason why you have to clear that stupid warning/caution: Do not use for navigational purposes.
 
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