Electronics Question

[jolicious]

Hey all,

I fish mainly Beaver, Table Rock, and, on occasion, Bull Shoals.

Would you all please recommend some options for depth finders?

Want one for the front of the boat (color would be nice, but doesn't matter)

Want a color / gps until for the console.

Would like to get both for $700 or so.

Even possible?

Thanks.

[jeb]

Probably possible if you don't want the newest technology, like side and down imaging.

But here's what I'd advise. I had this setup on my Skeeter for the first 6 months I owned it. Find a good deal on a Humminbird 798CI SI. Then put a mount for it on the front of the boat and the console. The 798 is unique in the HB SI DI lineup in that it has a one hand, quick disconnect mount. So it's super easy to move it from one place to the other. You'd also have to buy an extra mount (about $30), an extra power cable (about $10) and an extra SI transducer, which would be the pricey part. You may be able to find a deal on one on ebay. The one to get is the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T. I see one on ebay for $50 right now.

The CI part is important as the I means it has an internal GPS antenna. That way you don't have to buy a 2nd GPS antenna. You may even be able to find one with the NVB package of maps out there, which would probably save you money by not having to buy a map chip. HB is coming out with a slightly different 798 right now. The only real difference is it has an ethernet port built in. So there are good deals to be had on the "older" 798's right now.

Side Imaging is such a valuable tool. You can find structure, schools of fish, channels, etc way off to the side of the boat w/o having to run right over the top of them. I'd drive right by a lot of my best spots if I had not found them with SI. Couple that with the GPS and you can go right back to the same exact spot everytime you go out.

I now have a 997C SI at the console and the 798 lives full time up front. I have over 900 hours of use on the 798 and it's been as solid as a rock. It has a very bright screen that is easy to see in direct sun, unlike the bigger units. It also has the highest pixel density of any HB SI DI unit. It's really a great unit.

[rps]

jeb - that answer is as solid as I've read. Good job.

[FishinCricket]

jeb - that answer is as solid as I've read. Good job.

Yup, you can always tell the difference between experienced and inexperienced advice..

Double kudos!

[Dutch]

Hey all,

I fish mainly Beaver, Table Rock, and, on occasion, Bull Shoals.

Would you all please recommend some options for depth finders?

Want one for the front of the boat (color would be nice, but doesn't matter)

Want a color / gps until for the console.

Would like to get both for $700 or so.

Even possible?

Thanks.

It is very possible if you are willing like stated to use discontinued technology. There is nothing wrong with it and lots of guys are "trading up" and selling at very good prices. I just sold a unit that I paid $700 for when new for $250 shipped. So I recommend that you look around and see what is out there that suits you. If you want some links to sites with activity pm me and I'll supply a couple.

[Duck]

Check the Table Rock forum of Jan. 27th by Pounce.

[Stump bumper]

Just my two cents stay away from Eagle products even though seem to have a lot of options for less money, they just aren't up to speed

and don't work half the time. I have an Eagle Fishe elite and don't like the GPS or sonar. Also the color gps is diffently worth the money, the color fish finder is nice on the front but due to cost if you have to make a choice due to price, put the color unit on the console were you can color code the water depth on the Navionics chip while running in low light conditions, night, rain, fog whatever.

Also make sure that you save the money for a Navionics card, the maps that are pre loaded are not worth having, you will NEED the $100 card.

[jeb]

Also make sure that you save the money for a Navionics card, the maps that are pre loaded are not worth having, you will NEED the $100 card.

That may be true on some units and some lakes. The NVB bundle of maps on the HB products is the same as the Navionics Hotmaps Premium + Hotmaps Gold, but from 2006. I have the NVB maps in my 798 and bought newer Hotmaps Premium chips for my 997. There is no difference between the maps on the lakes I fish, Beaver and TR around here. But each year, Navionics adds maps or makes more maps HD (which means better detail and one foot topo bars when you zoom in). So there may be an advantage to going non-NVB, depending on the lakes you fish. Also, you can usually save a lot of money on the cards if you're willing to buy year old ones from BPS outlet store in Springfield, ebay, Cableas Bargain Cave, etc.

[Stump bumper]

That may be true on some units and some lakes. The NVB bundle of maps on the HB products is the same as the Navionics Hotmaps Premium + Hotmaps Gold, but from 2006. I have the NVB maps in my 798 and bought newer Hotmaps Premium chips for my 997. There is no difference between the maps on the lakes I fish, Beaver and TR around here. But each year, Navionics adds maps or makes more maps HD (which means better detail and one foot topo bars when you zoom in). So there may be an advantage to going non-NVB, depending on the lakes you fish. Also, you can usually save a lot of money on the cards if you're willing to buy year old ones from BPS outlet store in Springfield, ebay, Cableas Bargain Cave, etc.

I am glad to here that about Hummingbirds, I have an Eagle and there is just a basic outline of the lake without a chip and very few lakes on thier free downloads, Beaver is there but Table Rock is not.

[jolicious]

Thank you all very much. Your advice has been well-received!