Looking For A Fishfinder/chartplotter

[npierceuark]

Hey guys I'll be getting my new boat here shortly and I'm in the market for a fishfinder/chartplotter. I'm looking at the Lowrance elite 4. What does the map card get you? It's a difference of 50 bucks is it worth it?

I'm open to suggestions on other units with similar capabilities in a similar price range, I don't really want to spend more than 4-500 and would prefer cheaper if possible. I don't do a lot of deep water fishing and I don't fish many different lakes. The majority of my time is spent chasing crappie and the occasional bass so let me hear your ideas. Sonar vs DSI not decided yet. Here are the two I'm looking at currently. Thanks guys!

http://www.basspro.com/Lowrance-Elite4-Combo-with-FREE-Map-Card-and-RAM-Mount/product/1303130606352/ or

http://www.basspro.com/Lowrance-Elite4-Color-Fishfinder/Chartplotter-Combo/product/53518400/

[J-Doc]

Foe what you're going to use it for... DSI won't really help you. I think a for sonar graph is all you need and a charplotter combo is a great setup for a duck boat and crappie chaser. DEFINATELY a color graph if you can afford it over gray scale. I have all three (as you know) and I love my little color Lowrance graph up front. I have it setup well vs our last trip out.

You can download beaver lake for free but the contours are at 10ft intervals and that doesn't help on the river end. You can buy a Navionics card without graphs on it for about $7 and then download Beaver for free. I'm in the process of this now. The better graph has 2-3ft intervals or something like that. Much better.

See my photos for structure scan?(DSI). that's what you get on the lower end units. Fun pictures but sonar shows fish better and easier. That's why the large units have split screens with sonar and DSI together.

[npierceuark]

Thanks man, we need to get out again after some crappie. My weekends are jammed packed and these next couple weekends I'll be chasing turkeys. What are your evenings looking like during the week? The days are long enough now I've been getting some good evening bites.

[J-Doc]

Evening suck for me but.....since you work down the road from me, I bet we could hit the big end of the lake soon after work sometime. Especially for some night fishing when it warms up more.

[beaverfan]

I have a Humminbird 787 CI 2 for sale for $300.00. It's a color graph with gps, transducer puck and transducer saver. I have everything for it! LMK if your interested.

[npierceuark]

beaverfan, I'm hoping to be getting one for my upcoming birthday, I've been dropping hints like crazy. If it doesn't pan out I'll let you know.

[npierceuark]

Evening suck for me but.....since you work down the road from me, I bet we could hit the big end of the lake soon after work sometime. Especially for some night fishing when it warms up more.

I'm ready for the night bite, good luck this weekend and give me a ring if you're not catching them. Hopefully this turkey hunt is worth peeling away from the lake for a weekend.