Can someone recommend a good entry level fish finder?

[tweek]

I bought a Humminbird Helix 5 DI this spring. Color screen and down imaging for $250. I did kick in the extra money for a ram mount but for the money, really hard to beat it.

[olgreenboat]

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?

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.

[Fntsyfbgod]

You could always tie a rock on a rope with every foot marked.

[kydonky]

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?

I have the HB 897 si with downscan. The downscan gives a good clear picture of the bottom in detail. I can see individual fish and even bait schools. Combined with the GPS unit, I can use the cursor on the downscan screen to move over a school of baitfish 80 feet off the port side. Mark the school on the down image screen, switch to GPS and the marker shows me where those fish are on the lake. Troll right back to the spot, trow a cast net and come up with 150 shad. I have found several old wrecks, looked at the old covered bridge that used to span the river downtown in the 1800's. Creek channels are easier to see as well as trees. If you like to fish structures you need one of these.