Some depthfinder advice

[delcecchi]

(I have read all the threads on depthfinders) I have sort of a complicated (to me anyway) situation. On my boat, I had a 522 on the bow running off the US2 in the Terrova and a 334 on the console running off a regular transducer on the transom.

Recently the 522 has been acting goofy in a variety of ways and finally wouldn't start up. While checking the wiring, I noticed that apparently the unit was no longer waterproof and had a significant amount of water inside (it gurgled when shaken). Making the assumption that drying it out won't help, I will be in the market for a new unit. Trying to keep spending under control, being a poor old retiree and all that.

Both devices have lakemaster chips in them. I pretty much only use them on Vermilion. As I see it I have a couple choices. I can put a reasonable price new unit on the bow, either a bird or lowrance along with a new map chip. Something like the Elite 7 or 5x. None of the fancy HD, DSI, etc that either company offers is of interest in this case since it is not compatible with the US2.

The other choice is to move the 334 to the bow and put something else on the console. This opens up all the fancier options since the transducer on the transom could be replaced. But, probably more money. There is the elite 7 HD or some comparable Bird unit.

Any input would be appreciated.

[CaptainMusky]

If it were me I would move the 334 to bow and get something for the console. If you go lowrance get the Ethernet cable and network the two so you can share waypoints.

The new elite 7 is nice in that you can display down imaging and traditional whereas the other models with dsi will only do down imaging. Your current chips would work in the new units either an hds or elite provided they are the ones with the micro SD inside the larger one. Microsd for elite and SD for hds. With the 7 you get a nice large screenwhich makes split screen modes much more viewable.

[Savage Brewer]

I put an Elite 7 HDI in the back of my boat recently, and like it alot.

90% of the time I fish out of the back of the boat so putting the newer and larger screen in the back made the most sense to me.

[jerkbait]

I also got an elite 7 this spring and I also like it alot!

[Esox_Magnum]

For V ditch the LM and go with Navionics chips, way better for that body of water... I'm a big fan of the HDS units but even the Elite series will be a huge improvement over your current units....

[delcecchi]

Thanks for the input everyone. It looks like the Bird equivilent of the Elite 7 is the 858, although it is more money, maybe 100 to 150 more. Are there any features that justify spending more money for the Bird?

I know there are fans of both brands.... and I guess the Bird would run an ipilot. Anything in particular?

[Savage Brewer]

I think they are both good units. I went with the Elite 7 because GM had 10% off Lowrance the weekend I was there, so I saved even more.

Purely a financial decision for me.

[Kyhl]

Just a clarification. Anyone can use an iPilot. You need a HB unit to run an iPilot Link.

And I agree with Esox, Navionics is the better map of V so don't be married to LM if that is your home lake.

[Musky_Madness]

I was a former Lowrance user and never thought I'd switch until I had a knowledgeable person demo a Humminbird. Wow..... User Interface is super easy to use, programmable buttons so you can pull up your favorite views in a snap, and you can also access advanced features if needed. The other benefit is outstanding customer service and a real warranty. Compare warranty terms and you'll see the standout. Humminbird also owns Lakemaster and the charts are unreal with the depth offset and depth highlight features are awesome. Humminbird, Minn Kota, and Lakemaster are all owned by same parent company and work very well with each other. You can also network with one cord and no boxes switches couplers adapters and so forth. Same goes for Down and Side Imaging not needing a separate box to use. Go play with the models in the store and see what makes most sense to you!

[CaptainMusky]

Mm, the new lowrance units are the same way. Ethernet network cable and have been for years, programmable hot keys, built in structure scan (touch models) navionics mapping allows depth highlight etc. Navico has really changed their warranty and customer service. There are guys on both sides of the fence. Some that love bird warranty others that don't. The best warranty is the one you never need.for the price the elite 7hdi really has no competition or cannot be beat.

Not going to start a brand war because both are good product but at least provide facts not fallacy.

[delcecchi]

I sort of expected a little brand hype, but it has been reasonably subdued. It appears that the elite7 and the bird are about the same when it comes to features except for the ipilot link thing.

Do folks agree? It also seems like Navico has had time to get it together in quality and service as compared to the bad old days at lowrance. Is that correct? I certainly don't hear the rants any more.

I appreciate the input so far.

After draining the water out of the 522 (it takes a T8 torx screwdriver) and letting it dry a couple days, the depthfinder part works. GPS didn't lock on but I didn't give it very long.

[CaptainMusky]

The reputation for quality or all the negatives you hear regarding it are largely because of the very unit you are having issues with now. The 522. GPS lock issues, losing sonar signal. It was a bad unit. The hds models had a few early issues but have been resolved.

If you are that worried about connecting your GPS to a trolling motor its coming for lowrance with motorguide pinpoint connect.

Are you comparing the elite 7 or elite 7 hdi to the bird? The price of the elite 7hdi is far less than a comparable bird.

Bird has lots of problems with internal gps . So much so they come with an external puck now. The internal GPS in the elite and hds units is rock solid and locks in seconds.

Either brand will do what you want. Good luck with your decision.

[delcecchi]

Thanks. I am leaning towards the elite 7 hdi even though the 334 and 522 have had their issues (that is why Lowrance went broke and got bought).

Anybody know which Navionics chip will do the job on Vermilion? Or is the lowrance stuff equivilent. I figure there are only two sets of actual data. Lakemaster and Navionics.

[Esox_Magnum]

I run an 05 and 07 Navionics chip, not even sure anymore what one but I think Premium, had a LM the first year I fished V and I used it 3 hours then put my Navionics back in....No idea on the Lowrance chip or the preloaded mapping I bought mine without that feature since I have the chips...Most of the local guys that went to Bird when the 500 series was bad have since went back to HDS due to alot of issues with their Birds....I have 1 fishing friend with Birds and if he could afford to switch he would be running HDS also...

[CaptainMusky]

I have navionics hot map premium and its great. I also have the 2012 lowrance insight pro and a 2010 lakemaster chip. These two are identical except the lowrance chip comes with lake of the woods and rainy on the same chip.

For vermilion though the navionics is a better chip.