looking to buy a color GPS/fishfinder... which one?

[erictetterton]

I have never had a color unit before so I have no knowledge of what's good and what's not. A good used one is what I'm leaning toward but I may buy new. I fish mostly shallow waters rivers/creeks/sound. What would u suggest?

 

[tnriverluver]

Budget???? There are a lot to choose from from $200 up to the sky's the limit. I have Lowrance Elite 4 and Elite 5 DSi-Gps units and am very happy. Picked up my second Elite 5 unit on sale for $379 from Cabelas a couple of weeks ago. Less than what I paid for the first Elite 4 :mrgreen:

 

[erictetterton]

if I were buying new I would say below 350

 

[cfh1177]

I do not own the unit yet but I'll second the Lowrance Elite 4 w/GPS. I've done a bunch of research for my next purchase and keep coming back to this unit. It comes with a lot in a small package. The few I've spoke with love it. So, it's not a 55" screen but but it's worth it. Also it's easy to see in sunlight. Cabelas has it for $349 right now.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/Boa..._l=SBC;cat104794380;cat104707080;cat104588280

Keep doing research. Good luck on your purchase.

 

[shawnfish]

id go hummingbird all the way! way easier to navigate through all the functions and theyre customer service is second to none and free software upgrades that download from your computer to the head unit. not sure if lowrance does that but even if they do the humminbirds have better technology in my opinion and the others play catch up to them. that being said go to the local BP or other outdoors store and play with them on simulator mode and see wich one works better for you, the one thing youll notice right off the bat is how much easier the HB is to operate. its a lot more user friendly and simple compared to the lowrances and other brands.....

 

[BassBlaster]

I have a Humminbird 385ci. I havnt had it on the water yet as my boat isnt quite finished but Ive been playing with it the last week and it seems like a really cool unit. If I remember correctly, I paid right at $350 for it. It has since been replaced by the 386di so if you can still find someplace with a 385 in stock it should be a really good price.

I just checked the Humminbird website and I see there is a 386ci. It looks to be the same unit as my 385. I dont know whats different but its advertised at $309.99. Id also check digital oasis. They had the best prices when I purchased mine as the 385 was listed at $399.99 on Humminbird site at the time.

 

[erictetterton]

I have a lowrance mark 4DSI on the boat already so I may just add a nice chart plotter without a transducer. I like the way the DSI performs

 

[TNtroller]

Some HB's units have a difficult time keeping the gps location and speed when moving slowly, like when trolling, a red circle (donut) pops up. This usually occurs from .3 up to .8mph. Just something to consider. Been told its a difference in the algorithm between Low and HB. I have a HB and get the donut at slow speeds, its annoying, while my Ipilot and Lowrance keep a accurate speed showing 100% of the time, no matter the speed. The indicated speed on the HB bounces up/down as well due to this "difference". Just FYI.

 

[shawnfish]

Some HB's units have a difficult time keeping the gps location and speed when moving slowly, like when trolling, a red circle (donut) pops up. This usually occurs from .3 up to .8mph. Just something to consider. Been told its a difference in the algorithm between Low and HB. I have a HB and get the donut at slow speeds, its annoying, while my Ipilot and Lowrance keep a accurate speed showing 100% of the time, no matter the speed. The indicated speed on the HB bounces up/down as well due to this "difference". Just FYI.

what model and how old is the HB? and does it have internal or external GPS?