Just bought a boat and need some help

[Ice_hunter]

I just bought a Lund explorer 1600 Last fall and I am starting to get the bug for open water fishing. My question is about electronics.

I just got out of college and am still on a bit of a budget so I can't go spend too much. I am looking at buying the Lowrance Elite 4x DSI/GPS and I was wondering if anybody has heard anything or seen one used.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Congratulations on your boat, I remember the day I got my first boat like it was yesterday, even though it is now going on 15 years.

Lowrance makes good products, get what you can afford to start with, IMO, I bought a basic Eagle as my first depth finder, it wasn't fancy, but it gave me depth and a picture of the structure under the water. Remember to run it when your cruising across an unfamiliar lake, I beached mine on a sand bar the first month I had the boat.

I am getting the itch for open water and an even bigger itch to upgrade my boat now too! Thanks

[Ice_hunter]

I should also mention that this will be my second sonar at the front of my boat.

[CaptainMusky]

I really like the down imaging of the elite dsi the only thing I didn't like was that it wouldn't do traditional sonar view as well. Since you mentioned this will be a unit for the front of the boat maybe that will not matter to you. The imaging is a definite plus though and will help you read the structure better than just a regular sonar.

[CaptainMusky]

Actually maybe a used unit would be good. You could probably find an hds 5 for similar money as the elite but that wouldn't have down imaging. Either way checking c list for used may be a good idea and there are some big rebates on Gen 1 hds units now if you can find a new one.

[adamr]

If i were you i would look for a hds5 or even a used 522 or something that will take a chip. Gps seems like it is a very huge tool especially on medium to bigger lakes.

[Down Deep]

If you have budget considerations don't focus on one unit and be flexible. There will be a ton of units offered for sale on the FM classifieds and the Ceelst. Almost all of the equipment on my boat has been one or two year old castoffs by the guys who buy the latest and greatest every year or two.