User friendly electronics

nats · January 17, 2019, 12:55:23 PM

I need new electronics,willing to spend total between 500 - 750. But it has to be fairly simple to use and read,(pretty lame on electronics and computers). Most lakes I fish are small to medium and I don't usaully fish deeper then 25 feet and mostly in the 6- 10 ft depths. Ideas?

Princeton_Man · January 17, 2019, 01:11:38 PM

I've become quite a fan of the Garmin Echomaps. Very simple menu system that you can customize so that the things you use most are right up front. I believe the Striker's use the same menu system. That said, I also had a Humminbird Helix up front last year and found it very simple to use too. You can just toggle between displays.

fishin couillon · January 17, 2019, 01:26:08 PM

I going on the assumption its only 1 unit that is needed.

For Lowrance you can get the Elite Ti2 7" with AI 3/1 ducer for $750....

For Garmin, you can get the Echomap Plus 73sv (7") for $750...

For HB, looks like you can get a Helix 7 Chirp Mega SI for about $650

Now there are other combo's and such with/without maps, etc. THose are just examples of what.....and there are cheaper units that are smaller in screen size and not all the features....

nats · January 17, 2019, 02:03:35 PM

The 7 inch screen i think would be just right, but don't even know the terminology ,so wouldn't know what the diffrent makers would be a fit, guess it's time to read some user reviews, any advection here is welcome

WTodd · January 17, 2019, 03:44:08 PM

I have the Lowrance Elite 7 TI on both the console and bow and really like them BUT wish I had gone with the 9" screen on the console. They're touchscreen which makes them easier to use. These are my 1st Lowrance units and couldn't be happier

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

fishin couillon · January 17, 2019, 03:54:11 PM

Well, you need to research each one and see what the options are on them. Anyone can tell you what to get, the loyal people will tell you the brand to get which is the one they are loyal to but that dont help. ALL have a little learning curve to them; yeah they run right out the box but if you need to change color palettes, adjust sensitivity, etc, you will need to know where that option is in the menu.....someone will tell you that brand X is easier to operate but keep in mind they have been operating it for a while and know where everything is and someone like you that do not have that type of unit will have to learn it.

They also can all do the same, sonar/side/down imaging, gps mapping, etc.....some just it better than others, in other words one brand does something better than the other and vise versa......

The best i can say is find friends or other people with each brand and ask them to show it in action to you or go by your local dealers that have the on display and play around with them. BPS and Cabela's has them on display.

coldfront · January 17, 2019, 04:13:15 PM

Quote from: fishin couillon on January 17, 2019, 01:26:08 PM
I going on the assumption its only 1 unit that is needed.

For Lowrance you can get the Elite Ti2 7" with AI 3/1 ducer for $750....

For Garmin, you can get the Echomap Plus 73sv (7") for $750...

For HB, looks like you can get a Helix 7 Chirp Mega SI for about $650

Now there are other combo's and such with/without maps, etc. THose are just examples of what.....and there are cheaper units that are smaller in screen size and not all the features....

with youtube videos, everything is just a little easier now.

Donald Garner · January 17, 2019, 04:32:16 PM

Quote from: fishin couillon on January 17, 2019, 03:54:11 PM
The best i can say is find friends or other people with each brand and ask them to show it in action to you or go by your local dealers that have the on display and play around with them. BPS and Cabela's has them on display.

X2 now with that comment I just updated my electronics in my Stratos with Lowrance Hook 7's. I got both (bow and drivers console) on sale for less than $650.00 dollars. My G3 got updated with Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 Fishfinder. I bought one at Walmart and the other at BPS. Each were a $100.00 (+) tax.

Good luck with getting your stuff updated.

Oldfart9999 · January 18, 2019, 06:40:13 AM

I put a Lowrance HOOK @ 9 inch at the bow and I plan on putting one at the console this year. They are easy to use and I'm very pleased so far. The one I bought last year was a Factory Refurbished, it came with a a 1 year factory warranty and by doing so I saved quite a bit, it's the second time I've done so and it's worked out well for me.The other thing I did was go to Doctor Sonars website and ordered a video specific to the HOOK 2, well worth the money he has some for Hummingbird also.
The HOOK 2 gives very good detail, as good as their higher priced units the one thing you can't do with them is link them together, since I don't fish tournaments it doesn't matter to me. They come in 5, 7 9 and 12 inch, with out down or side scan, downscan and side/ downscan, your choice, it's done to keep costs down. for the money they are an excellent buy.
Rodney

coldfront · January 18, 2019, 07:43:49 AM

Doc (Bruce Sampson) is just GREAT.

had the opportunity to visit with him once a few years back. good dude.

own a few of his videos myself and it was an article he was involved with that started me (in the very early 90's) down the path to making my own maps.

roger_w · December 04, 2019, 02:46:47 AM

Quote from: Oldfart9999 on January 18, 2019, 06:40:13 AM
I put a Lowrance HOOK @ 9 inch at the bow and I plan on putting one at the console this year. They are easy to use and I'm very pleased so far. The one I bought last year was a Factory Refurbished, it came with a a 1 year factory warranty and by doing so I saved quite a bit, it's the second time I've done so and it's worked out well for me.The other thing I did was go to Doctor Sonars website and ordered a video specific to the HOOK 2, well worth the money he has some for Hummingbird also.
The HOOK 2 gives very good detail, as good as their higher priced units the one thing you can't do with them is link them together, since I don't fish tournaments it doesn't matter to me. They come in 5, 7 9 and 12 inch, with out down or side scan, downscan and side/ downscan, your choice, it's done to keep costs down. for the money they are an excellent buy.
Rodney

Sorry to resurrect this topic, Rodney, but can you please share your experience with Hook2? So far so good, I hope? From what I found, there are lots of bad reviews and buyers complain on Hook 2 series. Been thinking about getting 9" Lowrance, but now I'm choosing between this one and Garmin Chirp 94sv (though it's rather pricey).

ring fry · December 04, 2019, 06:10:28 AM

sing between this one and Garmin Chirp 94sv (though it's rather pricey).

Great unit that is really easy to use. Just be advised, the 94 is saltwater. If you want inland lakes, you want the 93.

SE Kansas grass grower

Oldfart9999 · December 04, 2019, 06:17:53 AM

I have had good use out of mine. Had a problem with the ignition switch on the boat, short story it took out my bow unit, a SPLIT SHOT, not the units fault. The factory replaced it for 175$, it was out of warranty, took about 3 weeks turn around which is, to my mind pretty good. I rewired both units directly to the battery which should eliminate any future surge problems. The one caviate I have is buy the Doc Sonar DVD on these units, it's money very well spent.
Rodney

Princeton_Man · December 04, 2019, 07:03:31 AM

Quote from: ring fry on December 04, 2019, 06:10:28 AM
sing between this one and Garmin Chirp 94sv (though it's rather pricey).

Great unit that is really easy to use. Just be advised, the 94 is saltwater. If you want inland lakes, you want the 93.

SE Kansas grass grower

You are correct but, if you use the Lake Vu HD or G3 maps the 94 will work equally well on inland waters. The 94 comes with a transducer that works slightly better in deeper water. I have both on my Stratos and use the LakeVu G3 maps in both units.

bassman343 · April 17, 2020, 06:47:02 PM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on January 17, 2019, 01:11:38 PM
I've become quite a fan of the Garmin Echomaps. Very simple menu system that you can customize so that the things you use most are right up front. I believe the Striker's use the same menu system. That said, I also had a Humminbird Helix up front last year and found it very simple to use too. You can just toggle between displays.

The Garmin is a very useful tool of mine. The Striker has all the features I need without being too complicated. It got editor's choice here too so must not be the only one who likes it.