buying a new fish finder, gps /chart plotter

[fish99]

was looking at the lowrance elite-7 hdi does anyone have one and if so how are they, or is there a better choice.

[EZM]

That's an excellent unit for the money .....

The best fish finder depends on what features you need/want. A couple things that may or may not be on your list allot of guys don't think about .....

- Consider dual card slots for saving way points, easily updating software, exporting recorded data to third part mapping software etc....

- Ethernet capability - to network multiple head units on the boat to share waypoints, data, transducers etc....

- Screen size - if you are running a map, 2 d sonar @ 83hz and maybe a sonar at 400hz (to give you higher def on narrow cone and/or wider coverage) a bigger display is a good feature.

- Do you want to control your down rigger off the unit? consider a unit with cannon link

- Do you want / need down imaging or side imaging

- budget .....?

The best fish finder depends on what you need and how you will be using it.

[fish99]

Originally Posted by EZM

That's an excellent unit for the money .....

The best fish finder depends on what features you need/want. A couple things that may or may not be on your list allot of guys don't think about .....

- Consider dual card slots for saving way points, easily updating software, exporting recorded data to third part mapping software etc....

- Ethernet capability - to network multiple head units on the boat to share waypoints, data, transducers etc....

- Screen size - if you are running a map, 2 d sonar @ 83hz and maybe a sonar at 400hz (to give you higher def on narrow cone and/or wider coverage) a bigger display is a good feature.

- Do you want to control your down rigger off the unit? consider a unit with cannon link

- Do you want / need down imaging or side imaging

- budget .....?

The best fish finder depends on what you need and how you will be using it.

thanks for the input, some things i donot think about.

[Nakoda boater]

Originally Posted by fish99

was looking at the lowrance elite-7 hdi does anyone have one and if so how are they, or is there a better choice.

I have one and just used it for the 1st time on Kootenay lake. I went to this unit from the Elite5 DSI. I found the 5 to be inadequate for the varying places I like to go and the 7 covers all these place.

With the larger screen size and the ability to have both the DSI(450-800Kh) and the Broad band(83-200Kh) on the screen is really nice. The screen can split 3 ways so you can have the chart plotter up there too.

[fish99]

Originally Posted by Nakoda boater

I have one and just used it for the 1st time on Kootenay lake. I went to this unit from the Elite5 DSI. I found the 5 to be inadequate for the varying places I like to go and the 7 covers all these place.

With the larger screen size and the ability to have both the DSI(450-800Kh) and the Broad band(83-200Kh) on the screen is really nice. The screen can split 3 ways so you can have the chart plotter up there too.

how deep will it read to , over 300 ft would be great,

[Nakoda boater]

Originally Posted by fish99

how deep will it read to , over 300 ft would be great,

1000 FT with the 83/200 transducer

[mooseman1]

I just ordered the humminbird 587 ci hd DI combo at the $500 mark

[Swath]

I bought the same one Mooseman. Looking forward to playing with it

[fish99]

Originally Posted by Nakoda boater

1000 FT with the 83/200 transducer

thats great news. thanks for shareing.

[Lornce]

also bought a Lowrance Elite-7 hdi, will instal in spring and let you know what I think.

[fish99]

Originally Posted by Lornce

also bought a Lowrance Elite-7 hdi, will instal in spring and let you know what I think.

were did you get yours and did you get the gps,fishfinder,and down image.

[Lornce]

Originally Posted by fish99

were did you get yours and did you get the gps,fishfinder,and down image.

All of the above, I purchased it at Bass Pro.