Sonar/GPS/ Side Imaging Help

[Spider04]

I just went as a marshall at Ky Lake and Dave is correct. The three pros I went with all use Lowrance for sonar. One had HB side scans on his boat but used a in dash Lowrance for sonar.
I have a HB side scan and love it. I find it useful in scanning points for bait fish and for finding channels, etc. I bought the unit for the side scan abilities but had never had GPS before and find that the linking of the side scan with the sonar with the GPS is the coolest feature. Being able to weigh point on your GPS what you can see 100 feet to the side of you is an awesome feature.
I too have heard alot of complaints in the last few years about Lowrance's service department and quality of products, but I have also heard that they are working to fix that.
My only complaint with the HD side scans, and it is a fairly large complaint, is that in direct sunlight the screen can be difficult to see. When in lower light conditions the view is amazing.
Just my two cents for those reading this for purchasing information. I just went through that last year and everyone has an opinion about their favorites and I got a lot of conflicting opinions when asking. Made things confusing. If you are worried about quality of a product, you might find it helpful to call a repair place and get their opinions. I did this when purchasing a trolling motor and found it helpful. Don't know if that can be done with electronics as most are probably returned to the manufacturer.

[davidsa]

I ordered a Lowrance 510C this morning for the front of my boat. Should have the same picture on it as the 520C which has GPS. I'm leary about Lowrance quality but maybe I will get lucky.


Still in need of the unit for the console but will study that one for a while and wait for the Lowrance side imaging announcement and cost.


I'd appreciate any GPS map card info anyone can provide. I'd like to get a card that gets me pretty accurate data for Barkley and KYL. My lowrance LEI fishing hot spot elite map in my handheld does not get me very close. With all the pre-loaded map options on the market, I will make a better console unit decision if I know what map to get. I hear Navionics mentioed as the brand to get but I don't know what year and model is required to get accurate and detailed maps. Some older GPS units only run the Navionics gold package but I'm not sure this is detailed enought. If my expectations are too high please let me know. thanks to all

[aceoky]

I ordered a Lowrance 510C this morning for the front of my boat. Should have the same picture on it as the 520C which has GPS. I'm leary about Lowrance quality but maybe I will get lucky.


Still in need of the unit for the console but will study that one for a while and wait for the Lowrance side imaging announcement and cost.


I'd appreciate any GPS map card info anyone can provide. I'd like to get a card that gets me pretty accurate data for Barkley and KYL. My lowrance LEI fishing hot spot elite map in my handheld does not get me very close. With all the pre-loaded map options on the market, I will make a better console unit decision if I know what map to get. I hear Navionics mentioed as the brand to get but I don't know what year and model is required to get accurate and detailed maps. Some older GPS units only run the Navionics gold package but I'm not sure this is detailed enought. If my expectations are too high please let me know. thanks to all

I don't use the map chips (my Lowrance pre-loaded map does just fine for Laurel as I still use the sonar to "pinpoint spots" anyway) but from what little I've found out on the subject the older chips are the same as the newer (read more expensive ones) UNLESS they've charted them on the new release (example if the 2009 has a recent charting of the lakes you want it's best otherwise get the 2008 same thing less cost???)

Navionics is supposed to be the leader in the market on accurate and small contours, again from what little I know about this stuff

I've been "considering a nav map chip" for my Lowrance 520C " (even though I only fish Laurel with this pontoon) and IF I decide to breakdown and do it, I'll pass along whatever I find out....

[smuckey41]

The Lowrance is on our pontoon fishing boat for the record I have a humminbird on our bass boat [/QUOTE]

i here ya aceoky.(LOL). what humminbird do you have on your bass boat.

[aceoky]

It's actually an older Humminbird model (LCR 4ID) shows fish in Red; really like it for an older model.

[smuckey41]

It's actually an older Humminbird model (LCR 4ID) shows fish in Red; really like it for an older model.

that is pretty cool that the fish are in red. the one in my dash shows the fish that are under the boat in orange,the ones that are around the boat in blue. its the (788ci).

[aceoky]

What's "neat" about it (to me) it's B&W but fish show up red .....

Wow so you have some idea of which fish are located where on that unit that's a great feature

[smuckey41]

What's "neat" about it (to me) it's B&W but fish show up red .....

Wow so you have some idea of which fish are located where on that unit that's a great feature

ya that is cool how you can tell what fish are under the boat or around the boat, comes in handy.

i bet yours looks cool seeing everything in black and white then red fish show up, i bet they realy stand out. that is cool