fish finder recommedation

retired · 01-30-2023, 05:59 PM

Thanks, the HDS looks pretty good. Do you have one?

ishoot308 · 01-30-2023, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retired

Thanks, the HDS looks pretty good. Do you have one?

I have the older version of these…HDs-7…see my post above.

Dan

Rob M · 01-31-2023, 09:25 AM

Both the Lawrence Hook and Hummingbird Helix are good/solid units. I would wait a couple weeks and Bass Pro has their Spring Sale, you will be able to get either unit for roughly 40% off.

I have both units, I prefer the Hummingbird, but the knock against that is if you ever wanted to add a second unit to the boat, you can not link the two together to read the same GPS or share waypoints, which you can with the Lawrance.

Also you will need to buy a LakeMaster SD Mapping card, which loads the lake maps into the unit. I believe they cost about $159, with out it the GPS is pretty useless. It will track, but will not be able to tell you any depths/contours of any lake.

Down Imaging is also an option on all units which gives you a different view of what is below you, and is a relitively cheap upgrade on the unit. Hope this helps.

burgerunh · 01-31-2023, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retired

Thanks, the HDS looks pretty good. Do you have one?

I do not however the Hook is the entry level unit and the HDS is the high end.

On my 14 footer I have a portable fishfinder that is a Humminbird Helix 5. The tranducer is on a suction cup mount and it has its own small battery in the case. It works pretty slick for me and is completely removable at the end of the day. I also have an ice fishing transducer for it so I can use it in the winter. I like the setup and it works well for me. The whole setup could be had for less than $500.

On my pontoon I have a 9" Garmin that was bought on sale at Bass Pro for about $600.

If I was in the market right now I would be looking hard at that HDS unit I sent you. It's a great sale on a high end unit.

Bottom line is these things go on sale especially when it is last years model. Bass Pro will have a spring "fishing classic" sale in March as someone mentioned and there should be a couple of units that are on sale. That's when you will get a good deal!

retired · 02-01-2023, 03:20 PM

I bit the bullet and made the decision to buy the Lowrance HDS 7 inch live from Walmart for $698. Thanks for the link to it. I think it will work just fine. I am planning to mount it to the transom on a plate. What is the suction cup mount about? I only fear I will become too reliant on the technology and not enjoy the experience as much. I guess I can always switch it off.

mattmass · 05-17-2023, 09:32 AM

This is a great machine with CHIRP sonar, SideScan and DownScan Imaging. If you are looking for underwater terrain and fish this is your machine. It is on sale right now on the Cabelas web site. I bought one and love it.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/lowr...tplotter-combo

retired · 06-29-2023, 11:35 AM

I used it while fishing the spring salmon season and it worked flawlessly. It did show the fish on the screen when I passed over them and their depth. I really enjoyed the downscan imaging that showed the depth and contour of the bottom. It was fascinating to see what was on the bottom. We only caught two salmon this year but the fish finder made trolling a lot more interesting.
Glad I bought it.

01-30-2023, 05:59 PM	#1
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 195 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	Hds Thanks, the HDS looks pretty good. Do you have one?

01-31-2023, 09:25 AM	#3
Rob M Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 21 Thanks: 10 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Fish Finder Both the Lawrence Hook and Hummingbird Helix are good/solid units. I would wait a couple weeks and Bass Pro has their Spring Sale, you will be able to get either unit for roughly 40% off. I have both units, I prefer the Hummingbird, but the knock against that is if you ever wanted to add a second unit to the boat, you can not link the two together to read the same GPS or share waypoints, which you can with the Lawrance. Also you will need to buy a LakeMaster SD Mapping card, which loads the lake maps into the unit. I believe they cost about $159, with out it the GPS is pretty useless. It will track, but will not be able to tell you any depths/contours of any lake. Down Imaging is also an option on all units which gives you a different view of what is below you, and is a relitively cheap upgrade on the unit. Hope this helps.

02-01-2023, 03:20 PM	#5
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 195 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	thanks I bit the bullet and made the decision to buy the Lowrance HDS 7 inch live from Walmart for $698. Thanks for the link to it. I think it will work just fine. I am planning to mount it to the transom on a plate. What is the suction cup mount about? I only fear I will become too reliant on the technology and not enjoy the experience as much. I guess I can always switch it off.

05-17-2023, 09:32 AM	#6
mattmass Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 28 Thanks: 4 Thanked 35 Times in 9 Posts	Lowrance Elite FS7 This is a great machine with CHIRP sonar, SideScan and DownScan Imaging. If you are looking for underwater terrain and fish this is your machine. It is on sale right now on the Cabelas web site. I bought one and love it. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/lowr...tplotter-combo

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06-29-2023, 11:35 AM	#7
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 195 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	I used it while fishing the spring salmon season and it worked flawlessly. It did show the fish on the screen when I passed over them and their depth. I really enjoyed the downscan imaging that showed the depth and contour of the bottom. It was fascinating to see what was on the bottom. We only caught two salmon this year but the fish finder made trolling a lot more interesting. Glad I bought it.