What Sonar Should I Get?

[chris3179]

HDS5 on the front HDS7 on the console with structure scan. Love them, use to be a HB fan but no more.

Gen 1 or gen 2? Also how does the map card system work? Would it be beneficial to buy a unit with waypoint already on it? It would be from a experienced fisherman. Or would his spots erase?

[Feathers and Fins]

He probably would erase them, I would

[chris3179]

He probably would erase them, I would

Well dung! Jk. Ok used hds 7 gen 1 ($600) or new hds 5? Which one would you do?

[Feathers and Fins]

New HDS 5 with lake insight

[chris3179]

Gotcha & thx!

[J-Doc]

I have a used Lowrance X67c up front and an Eagle Fishmark 320 at the console. I am on a super tight budget currently and I look forward to getting a hi-quality graph maybe next spring. Here is why.....

I just got the X67 on the TM up front and I've only used it twice now. It was free and my good buddy gave it to me since he didn't need it (thanks Jolicious!). Here is what I have learned after using it twice on Beaver and playing with the settings (ALL of the settings). I learned that I need to get a unit with more wattage/power to be able to pickup a drop shot in water over 15ft deep. Seems like after the bait drops 12-15ft, it falls off the graph. The units simply do not have enough power to pickup a small sinker and small plastic finesse bait deeper than this range. You also have to have the cone of the sonar directly over the bait and I mean DIRECTLY over the bait. The cone seems to be narrower than what I have seen on larger HDS units. I was able to fish with someone who has a quality graph and the difference is amazing! Not only the resolution is better, the sensitivity is much better. You can watch so much more and make more informed decisions on what fish are doing.

So getting a quality graph will inheranly have more power than the lower cost units (such as mine) and in my opinion, that's the single biggest benefit. Structure scan/down scan and side imaging are just icings on the cake for super hi-def resolution. I have seen that if you want to find fish, the traditional sonar is much better over downscan and side imaging. They seem to show whats on the bottom over fish. The fish show up really small whereas traditional sonar shows fish pretty easy. Of course, downscan/structure scan can at times show some AMAZING images showing fish. Especially bait schools.

Also, after playing around with the settings off of the Prarrie Creek ramp for a few hours on both units, I found that Kevin Van Dam's advise (and many other pros agree) the automatic factory settings were the best settings for me trying to find my dropshot. I adjusted sensitivity, chart speed, ping speeds, upper and lower limits, noise filters, etc. The best setting was hitting the "reset" button and right off the bat, I could tell an amazing difference.

That's my 2 cents. Ok......so it was more like $10 worth but this is a pretty fresh topic for me.

[Bass Ivy]

I went through all of this last year deciding wich unit to get. I fished with a guy some that had a Humminbird it was a nice unit. I wound up getting the HDS 8 Gen 2 with SC. It is awesome. But now I want one for up front. www.hatfieldshunting@hotmail.com try this guy if anyone wants a Lowrance see what kind of deal you can get. He is out of Kentucky. He sure did me right on my unit.

I know this thread is kinda old but I thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth.

[terry b]

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars when buying a fishfinder. I really like my Piranhamax 195c and looks like I'm not the only that likes this unit: http://www.fishfinders.info/humminbird-piranhamax-195c-review