Can someone recommend a good entry level fish finder?

[BigBlueJake]

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.

[olgreenboat]

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 http://store.humminbird.com/products...be2fab632e9a98

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..

[BigBlueJake]

If you got that unit for $300 then you got one hell of a deal. The link you provided shows $550.

[Bass Addict 170]

If you got that unit for $300 then you got one hell of a deal. The link you provided shows $550.

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.

[BigBlueJake]

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.

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.

[Vik3]

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.

Most of Humminbird.com picrures for New DI units look great, but they were taken by SI units. I read quite a few of user opinions about 570 DI that it is a great unit for it's money, I beleave them, but it would be good to see real screenshots.

[adam7456]

You can get a Gen 1 Lowrance HDS 5 on eBay for around $200 without the transducer. The transducer and wiring harness can be had for just over $100. For around $300 it is an amazing unit. Color, GPS, and dual frequency transducer. Lowrance replaced one of my older units with a one of the HDS 5s. The GPS and being able to follow your track and save way points is extremely helpful.

[olgreenboat]

If you got that unit for $300 then you got one hell of a deal. The link you provided shows $550.

OOPPSS my bad,
He did say entry level , Now the question here would be . Would he be better off with a DI or sonar?

[mrnibbie]

can a gps that I already have and a sepreate unit with DI be operated at the same time?

[peter]

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?

[bassman_ky]

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.

[Moveon]

Onix by Humminbird with SI and 360 with GPS and digital map cards and the largest brightest screen you can afford.

Remember that Side Scanning Sonar found the Titanic. They would still be looking for that ship and many other sunken ships if they were just using DI or regular sonar units. SI covers so much more bottom than any other device. It's well worth the money. Save your money until you can afford to get some thing with SI and GPS combined along with a digital map. Other wise just get a map of the lake and a weight on the end of a marked rope for depth measurements.