Need some fish finder opinions... Side or Down Imaging, etc.?

[mr_jman]

Looking to buy a new fish finder. (Humminbird or Lowrance probably). I want either side or down imaging and the GPS with SD card option for lake maps.

I just want some opinions and likes/dislikes of the unit you use?

Just a note: My budget is around $500 and I mostly fish shallow (under 10') bowl style lakes. Just in case someone has some suggestions of units in that price point, or what works best for that lake style.

Thanks.

[JohnMickish]

That is going to be a tough order to fill with the budget you set. Unless you are looking at used, it looks like you are limited to a DI sonar. At the pricepoint you have, IMHO either company will give what you want, but remember it's not going to look like one of the $3000 units.

[Deitz Dittrich]

For bowl style lakes, Side image is far better than down image.. but like above, it may be hard to find one in your budget.

[pulleye16]

I agree with above that you're out of luck on ss. Maybe the hds 5 is close towards your budget and you could add ss later.

[MN Mike]

Humminbird made a 598ci HD SI last year, last time I saw one, it was on sale for just under $600 new, DI and SI on a 5" screen. I've had a 798 since '09 and I learned a lot on that 5" screen depthfinder, now I'm ready to make the move to a larger screen.

IMO, any SI is better than no SI.

Mike

[ClownColor]

You could be in luck...gander has the hbird 798ci hd si on sale for $650 right now. Its a smoking hot deal at $400 off. Its their 5" version and has down and side scan. Its a great model and has all the features one needs to get their hand on advanced sonar.

I got my HDS 5 gen2 with SS last year for the same price and again, that was a smoking hot deal. I do like my HDS cause when I have more money, I can upgrade to a larger unit without buying SS again...but if you don't see yourself spending that kinda money on electronics, then pull the trigger on this hbird.

[bucketmouth64]

I recently bought a hbird 598 SI from academy sports $549. Used to live in TX, they're a southern sporting goods store. No sales tax and free shipping.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Gander has the Humminbird 798 HD SI unit for $650 this week. Great unit.

[mr_jman]

Thanks for the replies and that is a good deal for the 798!

I am thinking about spending a little more and have been looking at this unit...

Humminbird 859CI HD DI Combo

[delcecchi]

What is difference between 858 and 859?

[h8go4s]

Thanks for the replies and that is a good deal for the 798!

I am thinking about spending a little more and have been looking at this unit...

Humminbird 859CI HD DI Combo

I think you'll find the SI feature to be much more useful than DI. Check this out:

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...98?#Post3213935