High-tech depth finder information wanted

[russ498]

I would like to upgrade my depth finder. I currently use a Humminbird 597 HD combo unit. It has down imaging and dual beam transducers. It is a very good machine, but I would like to get something with a little bit larger screen to accommodate my old eyes. My humminbird has a five inch screen.


I would like to go with something on the high-tech side. My budget is about $1200 but I may go a little bit higher. I want to get a fishfinder/GPS combination unit. I am more interested in the fishfinder capabilities than the GPS. I was looking primarily at Humminbird and Lowrance, but will consider anything. Any suggestions for an aging techno-geek.

[J.A. Veil]

Russ -

The Lowrance HDS series continues to get great reviews from users on Tidalfish. I bought an HDS-5 last fall for my center console, but have not mounted it on the boat yet. The standard unit contains FF and GPS. You can purchase an extra structure scan module that gives side scanning capabilities.

If a 5" screen is too small, they offer 7" and 10" screens too -- you just have to pay more.

[Memory Maker]

If you want side imaging, Lowrance is a little better but it will require a seperate box that is not water proof and a second transducer unless this has changed since I looked at them last year. Down imaging is done by them thru a single transducer and in the head unit.

I went with Hummingbird because it does side imaging and down imaging via 1 transducer regular size and in the water proof head unit. I could have bought a Lowrance at dealers cost but I couldn't see how I would mount a box that wasn' water proof and all those transducers ........... the 898hd si will give you a 7" screen and side imaging for @ $1400 - $1500 ....... the
10" screens are much more

[russ498]

Has anyone tried the touch screen Lowrance units? It looks to have side imaging built in. They look to be very easy to use compared to the normal button operated units we are accustomed to. The downside is the $1800 price tag.

[Memory Maker]

Has anyone tried the touch screen Lowrance units? It looks to have side imaging built in. They look to be very easy to use compared to the normal button operated units we are accustomed to. The downside is the $1800 price tag.

Are you sure? ......... Lowrance is pretty sneaky about their advertising .......... you need the structurescan module for the side scan unless they changed it ......... I was looking at them when they first came out and had to call the factory to get a straight answer ..........

[Memory Maker]

Well I stand corrected .......... the new Touch screen Lowrances don't need the Structure Scan Moduie for side scan capabilities ........... guess that is on my list for this year ........... Phase 1 of the Dawg House is completed and I'm working on Phase 2. Phase 1 was to rebuild the back room and closet, upstairs powder room and re build the shed door ........ DONE !!!!

Phase 2 is the big room ......... construction to begin in 2 weeks .......... should be ready by summer

[russ498]

I checked with Lowrance. They claim their units can be submerged at 10 meters for 20 minutes with no problems.

If you want side imaging, Lowrance is a little better but it will require a seperate box that is not water proof and a second transducer unless this has changed since I looked at them last year. Down imaging is done by them thru a single transducer and in the head unit.

I went with Hummingbird because it does side imaging and down imaging via 1 transducer regular size and in the water proof head unit. I could have bought a Lowrance at dealers cost but I couldn't see how I would mount a box that wasn' water proof and all those transducers ........... the 898hd si will give you a 7" screen and side imaging for @ $1400 - $1500 ....... the
10" screens are much more

[Memory Maker]

I think I said that I stand corrected. I was talking about the structure scan box when I said it wasn't water proof ...... Not the head unit. That info was from the Lowrance technical staff....... the touch screen does the side imaging via the transducer and head unit.

[dsiekman]

Raymarine has a new unit out, too. Don't know much about it, but I tend to associate their name with offshore/more advanced/more expensive tech. I think it's called Dragonfly?

[BassMoore]

people are raving about the raymarine in these magazines and on the bass master elite series and all ...

ive read about them and want a smaller one..