New Fish Finder

[Tipupdown]

Just wanted some advice on a new fish finder for my Crestliner. Right now i have an OLD lawrance fish finder that does the job, but don't really trust the thing other than for depth. My plan is to move the older one to the front of the boat for the trolling motor operation. The biggest point i'm trying to look for in this new system is GPS and lake maps.. I've been starting to fish tournaments and take trips to big water (lake of the woods, etc..) so it's kind of essential.. My price range is around the $600 mark.. Any info is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[Esox_Magnum]

HDS-5 is close to that price range....

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Humminbird 788ci with a Lakemaster chip.

[remington 300]

+2 on the 788ci, i upgraded my old lowrance 2 years ago and you will be amazed at the color for one thing and detail, i got a navionics chip for mine and like it alot,and and a FYI, LOW is a seperate chip.

goodluck on the search, there are a lot of nice GPS/fishfinders out there now a days.

mike,

[Tipupdown]

Thanks guys! keep in mind i'm from SW MN where Shallow lakes dominate the area... I've heard of some don't read as well as other in shallower/ utrophic lakes... I do know i'd want a 83/1000 instead of a 50/1000 though

[Nick Kuhn]

Humminbirds used to have shallow water reading issues, but they fixed that with an update about 2 years ago.

[amateurfishing]

HB, i got the 597 ci with Navionics chip last fall, traded up from an old '84 HB 4x6 LCR, absolutely love all the features and a great system to grow into.

u cant really go wrong anywhere im sure these days but if u do choose HB, your big question may be side imaging or not, u can save $ by skipping that if u choose

[Jarrod32]

The 788 is going to be a bit beyond your identified price range, but the 597 should be about there. Couple that with the Lakemaster chip (another $110 or so) and you will be happy. The 788 is a better unit, with ethernet capability and compatability with the new 360 transducer, but that was all beyond my price range/needs. I have the 597 and Lakemaster chip and it serves me very well. The 587 could be another option...that does not have the down imaging that the 597 has, and has a slightly smaller screen, but would be another good choice coupled with the Lakemaster chip.

Or, as was mentioned, the HDS-5 would be another fine choice in your price range.