Need Advice On Sonar Options

[Darron Cooper]

Guys I am looking to upgrade my sonar equipment. I have a 05 Bass CAt cougar FTD with basic Lowrance on dash GPS and unit on front of boat. They arent much use to me. I an no expert and have a lot to learn with sonar. IT seems like you need two units, one on dash and one in the front. I dont mind spending the money as it seems I am looking at minimum of $600 for on dash unit with mapping, gps ,etc and $500 or so for one up front. I have been looking at Lowrance HDS units. The guys at Bass Pro seem pretty helpful. I will probably take a few guided trips this spring and learn a little more on how to use then for drop shotting, locating structure, etc. I cant see my buying a $2000 unit however I dont want to buy something and wish I had bought better. I have never really relied on electronics and any advice would be appreciated. How much of a role do they play in catching fish?

Thanks,

Darron

[rps]

If you read previous posts on this forum you will discover some use their electronics extensively, including drop shotting to fish they have found. Others are shallow water fisherman who only use them to know how far they can be from the bank and stay shallow.

I have had at least one sonar in my boat since the green box flasher days. Currently I have a high end color 2d trolling motor sonar and a sideimage rear unit with gps. However, neither are the 8" screens.

If you are going to fish clear water highland lakes buy the best sonar you can afford and have someone show you how to get the most out of it.

Good luck.

[edwin]

I wouldn't even waste my time dropshot and spoon fishing without my electronics. Once I spent the time with some guides on TR, I really was unhappy with myself as it became apparent that I had been fishing blind all this time. IMHO, the Humminbird units are more user friendly. I prefer the Lowrance unit on the bow as it has a better zoom capability than the HB. This is especially helpful when dropshotting in deep water.

My set up on my Bass Cat is a Lowrance LCX 37c on the bow, HB 997si in the dash, and a Lowrance flasher in the dash that never gets turned on. Only downside I have with my mixed Lowrance / HB setup is that GPS waypoints are not shared between the dash and bow.

I'd highly suggest spending the cash on the units if you fish deep.

[Martin]

Fishing deep is a way of life on Tablerock. Not 100% of the time, but almost.

[Dutch]

I rely almost completely on my electronics. 99% of the fish that I have caught this fall and winter are due to finding them on the side and down scans. I would not want to be on the water without them but then I am not a bank beater either.

My advice to you is hang on to your money until you have been in a boat with the new applications then make up you mind about how much you want to spend. I have been squeezing pennies out of dollars for 2 years and adding to my units. One more purchase and I'll have what I want.

[Stoneroller]

i know you have a lowrance and probably want to stick to them but humminbird just released a line of HD units, many with down imaging capabilities and at some pretty good price points too. I want to say they start out around $500, and I think they have GPS, but I could be wrong about that on the lowest model.

[JerryK]

I upgraded to color from black and white on my 2006 Triton. I had Lowrance so I stayed with Lowrance because all of the power cords and transducers and gps antenea wires were the same. It saved time and $$. I emailed Lowrance and they told me what would work.

[Gone Fishing]

I am not sure if your units are broken or just need upgraded but Lowrance has a good trade in program. The only thing is the unit has to broken and you can only exchange for a comparible size. It also only works if your unit is on the trade in list.

I called and talked to a Lowrance customer service person and they will take my broken LCX 27 and $519 for a new HD7. Not bad for a unit that is broken and worth nothing to me if they don't fix them anymore.

[getfished]

I think waiting until after your guided trip to make your purchase is the smartest starting point. It gives you time to really inventory what type of fishing you usually do. It does matter. During this process you can continue to research and learn the technical specs so you understand how to compare apples to apples. As said earlier Humminbird appears to be a little easier to operate. I've got some overkill on my boat, a 997 and a 797 bird but most times I can tell my depth by sticking my rod in the water. My honest opinion is to not skimp in this dept. Better to have too much capabilities than not enough.

[Sore Thumbs]

Guys I am looking to upgrade my sonar equipment. I have a 05 Bass CAt cougar FTD with basic Lowrance on dash GPS and unit on front of boat. They arent much use to me. I an no expert and have a lot to learn with sonar. IT seems like you need two units, one on dash and one in the front. I dont mind spending the money as it seems I am looking at minimum of $600 for on dash unit with mapping, gps ,etc and $500 or so for one up front. I have been looking at Lowrance HDS units. The guys at Bass Pro seem pretty helpful. I will probably take a few guided trips this spring and learn a little more on how to use then for drop shotting, locating structure, etc. I cant see my buying a $2000 unit however I dont want to buy something and wish I had bought better. I have never really relied on electronics and any advice would be appreciated. How much of a role do they play in catching fish?

Thanks,

Darron

If you do decide to go with a Si unit I think that your current Lowrance can share waypoints with the new HDS units if you have the proper ethernet cables. That would allow you to put your current unit up front and your new one in the dash. This way you are getting the most electronics for the least amount of money.