I'm looking for recommendations on a good, entry-level fishfinder.
Thanks in advance
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I'm looking for recommendations on a good, entry-level fishfinder.
Thanks in advance
are you looking for a fish finder only or a fish finder/gps....with all of the new technology you can pick up an older gps/sonar unit for a very reasonable price
I am a big fan of the Lowrance Mark 5DSI unit. It gives you down imaging and cost about 300 bucks. It's black and white, and does not have a gps, but it will give you a big leg up compared to a normal fishfinder in terms of what is below the boat. If you are wanting to spend more you can never go wrong with sidescan but you have to willing to spend some cash to get one.
The Lowrance 5xdsi ONLY has down Imaging were the humminbird 596c HD DI has both the down imaging and sonar + some and for the same money [URL]http://store.humminbird.com/products/415374?product_id=112a05587195cba82cbe2fab632e9a98[/URL]
I was going to get the lowrance until the dude @ bass pro told me the difference. I'm very pleased with the unit and have already caught a lot of fish with it..
If you got that unit for $300 then you got one hell of a deal. The link you provided shows $550.
[QUOTE=BigBlueJake;448987]If you got that unit for $300 then you got one hell of a deal. The link you provided shows $550.[/QUOTE]
The unit for $550 is a color DownImaging unit, but Humminbird does make one for $300 that's black & white with DI and the standard fishfinder, together (see the 570 DI). Lowrance dropped the ball by splitting up their DSI and sonar units for $300 each. In this price range, Humminbird's are the better buy.
Can you elaborate a bit on why you like down imaging and what you can do with it.
..also looking for another unit.
I've seen some screen shots that look pretty good. I read where you have to be going about 5 mph for the down imaging to really give good results, is that true?
Down imaging is much more detailed than a traditional sonar. If you idle over standing timber you can see the individual branches on the trees and for your other question yes 3-6 miles an hour is what is suggested.
[QUOTE=peter;448993]Can you elaborate a bit on why you like down imaging and what you can do with it.
..also looking for another unit.
I've seen some screen shots that look pretty good. I read where you have to be going about 5 mph for the down imaging to really give good results, is that true?[/QUOTE]
I can't say that is true at all but you do have to adjust the speed of the chart to your boat speed wich is pretty easy. The humminbird has alot more bang for the buck compaired to the lowrance. The only down fall of the 596 would be the screen size but that is only because I use it in a jon boat and it is 4' from my face my eye's aint what they used to be either..
If you go to bass pro and run the simulator the real screen shots are just as good.
[QUOTE=BigBlueJake;448987]If you got that unit for $300 then you got one hell of a deal. The link you provided shows $550.[/QUOTE]
OOPPSS my bad,
He did say entry level , Now the question here would be . Would he be better off with a DI or sonar?
can a gps that I already have and a sepreate unit with DI be operated at the same time?
[QUOTE=Bass Addict 170;448990]The unit for $550 is a color DownImaging unit, but Humminbird does make one for $300 that's black & white with DI and the standard fishfinder, together (see the 570 DI). Lowrance dropped the ball by splitting up their DSI and sonar units for $300 each. In this price range, Humminbird's are the better buy.[/QUOTE]
Wow, I am wishing I would have done a little more homework. I am a big Lowrance fan so I never even really considered the Humminbird but after seeing that I wish I would have given them more of a chance.