• Help Support TNDeer:

Wanting a new fish finder need some advice/recommendation

Forvols

Forvols

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
5,044
Reaction score
2,502
Location
NE TENNESSEE- HAWKINS COUNTY
Boat - 24ft pontoon fish/pleasure. Primary fishing trolling, straight line anchored or drifting, structure fishing.

I currently have a very basic fish finder and wanting to upgrade. Something in price range of $450-750. I have about settle on Garmin or Hummingbird brand wise. But feature wise is side scan good to have? I like the maps, gps, clearvu etc features. Just looking for some advice for recommended models and transducer combinations. I will probably mount the basic one I have to the front trolling motor. New unit will be mounted at the consol with transducer on stern.
 
Definitely get something with side imaging. I recommend hummingbird and get the largest one you can afford. The bigger the screen the easier it is to see fish and structure.
 
Forvols said:
Still doing some research but leaning towards a Hummingbird Helix7: Humminbird 411930-1 Helix 7 MSI GPS G4
Click to expand...
I've got 2 like that. They serve me well for striper trolling. I typically only run the down imaging as the lake I fish is deep but the side imaging is nice when fishing shallower water for other fish types.
 
I'm a Garmin guy and it's all I have, so I can only speak for them. Garmin's customer service and tech support is excellent, and every time I call I get an American that speaks English. That's worth a lot to me. I think you will eventually want live imaging. I would definitely get a unit that is compatible with that. Bass Pro has the unit below on a special buy and it would be a good choice. A 9" screen is the minimum I would consider and obviously the bigger the better. They also have a great deal on a 12" unit but it's out of your budget at $1500.

Screenshot_20241231-080224_DuckDuckGo.webp
 
either is fine as far as sonar and imaging.

the base map on the helix will probably disappoint with the 10 ft contours and youll more than likely want to budget in a lakemaster chip. here is a list of lakes for the basemap:


the garmin quick draw community has a lot of the smaller lakes scanned and can be downloaded for free. you can check out garmins navionics+ here as far as contours and lakes you fish. the discounted echomap models come preloaded with navionics+.

Garmin | Marine Maps

Marine Maps
maps.garmin.com maps.garmin.com

i will say if you buy the helix and want to get into live sonar youll probably have to buy the xplore later on as they are phasing out the helix and mega live for the xplore and mega live 2. (unless you can find a used xducer) johnson outdoors is in pretty bad financial situation and i can see them slimming down their line up.
 
I would do 1 of 2 things.

1. Jump on a new Garmin deal from Bass Pro Shops. If you get the older Ultra units, you can save a lot of money and get everything you need.

2. Go with a certified USED unit from the bigger online stores. The Bass Tank, Bass Boat Electronics, Russell Marine, Hennessey Electronics...that's just the start. All of those places take in trades and they make sure they work before selling them. If you want a big screen Humminbird and don't want to pay new prices...that's the route to go. Every once in a while you'll find a Garmin on there used but I've never seen one priced lower than what BPS is selling the new ones for. BPS must really get a bulk buyer deal on them.
 
Just to be the guy who recommends something different...

If you're going to be using it to mark a lot of waypoints, consider a Lowrance. Their waypoint management and interface is much better than Humminbird or Garmin.

If you can swing an Eagle 9 or a used Elite FS9 with side imaging transducer, I think you'd be really happy.

Also keep in mind that while all of these units may have built in GPS, they do not have heading sensors. That'd be a separate purchase (if you care about that).
 
TnReb is right about Lowrance. I just took two HDS Live 12s off my boat and sold them. I'm going a different route...but he is for sure correct about their interface and waypoints. Their 3 in 1 transducer is pretty good too in comparison to the others. The only thing I didn't like about them is they can't do water level offsets for the maps. During this time of year, that will get you in trouble quick. You can do a work around with the map shading and make the "shallow" areas all one color to compensate. But I like Garmin and Humminbirds actual water level offset much better.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top