Depth Finder

[FBMH]

Hey everyone, lookin for a new depth finder this year for fishing. Im looking for something that has easy to use functions, is chip capatible ( meaning i can get a gps and depth charts or whatever comes with it) and also is not EXPENSIVE. Something $700 or under is the price range. Like i said, i want something that i can put chips into so i can get a gps built with it and the depth maps. Any help or recommendations would be awesome

[TooTallTom]

You might want to look into a Humminbird 788ci (not the 788ci HD). It's not the current model as of this year, but it's a great unit that you can pick up for about $500. It's a good summer and winter unit (I use mine year-round.) and can do some pretty cool stuff with the Lakemaster ProMaps chips.

Keep in mind that map chips can add another $100-$200 on top of the cost of the fishfinder.

[dairyman]

I got the 788ci a couple of weeks ago and have been out on the ice trying out the features----seems like I learn something new every time out. I'm happy with the purchase and look forward to the summer season. I still might be able to get out again on the ice. I was on the ice today and was in a shallow area---fortunately the lake was on the preloaded list and I was able to use it to find a deeper hole,I found it but still didn't catch anything.Thats OK as it was more of an exploratory outing anyhow

[Nick Kuhn]

Those of you with the 788ci's make sure they are running the latest software as sometime last year there was an update improving shallow water performance.

[TooTallTom]

They're pretty user-friendly units, and easy to pick up with some hands-on time. (I rigged up a spare power cord with a 12v cigarette-lighter adapter that I can use in my house just to be able to fool around with it. I also use it for ice fishing.) You can certainly get by without doing it but you really should still read the manual and check out some of the online resources if you haven't already, just to pick up some little things that you might not get otherwise.

For curiousity's sake, where did you pick yours up?

[Esox_Magnum]

Lowrance HDS 5 gets my vote...

[TooTallTom]

Thanks for the tip, Nick.

Esox_Magnum, what do you like about your HDS 5?

[Esox_Magnum]

Thanks for the tip, Nick.

Esox_Magnum, what do you like about your HDS 5?

So far everything, finding things on my chips my older units never showed and in time if I decide I want/need side/down imaging, radar, Sattelite radio ect I can add it. I got it last Aug and have a couple hundred hours run time on it so far and loving it. It also has the ability to link to my motor to moniter about anything you can imagine.

[dairyman]

I got mine at Reeds in Walker

[solbes]

Second the HDS 5 reco.

[TooTallTom]

Yeah, I looked at the ability to upgrade as a pretty big mark in Lowrance's favor, but I was shopping when the customer service was still a nightmare and I couldn't get past that. Plus, my best friend's dad has a Lowrance (actually a couple units after replacements) that he's had nothing but trouble with.

I understand that these issues have mostly been resolved, but I've already purchased my unit. And, obviously, the best customer service is the customer service you never know exists.

[TooTallTom]

Okay, thanks dairyman.