New boat, Please advise on new electronics

[WYODEERSLAYER]

I am looking for a 8 to 10 inch fishfinder that is very easy to use, please advise with any info. I am undecided between the Lowarance HDS Gen 2 or a comparable Hummingbird. Things have changed since i last bought a fish finder.The dealer i am buying the boat from is recomending a Garmin 4208. We currently fish for Kokanee, but I would like to start chasing the Mack's In the Gorge. Thanks for any input.



2012 Weldcraft 240 Maverick.
300 Yamaha V6(17 pitch?) Elevation 6400ft
9.9 Yamaha with TR 1 Gold
Scotty 2106 down riggers

[bfloyd4445]

I was very disapointed with the lack of good charts with the humminbird 798 i bought. I bought it for the better maps and for most of oregon there are no maps with any detail. I understand they all get charts from the same companies and they lead one to believe there is detail but naught! You have to buy an upgrade packagfe to get good charts. As far as ease of operation the hummer is very good but then so r most of the others in todays world. The hum had the best resolution on the display which was why i opted for it instead of qa lowrance.
good hunting

[Bduck]

I opted to go a Raymarine A57D. This is a HD combo unit I picked up for $650 new shipped free. Also it came with a P58 Airmar transducer which is a quality xducer. When it original came out it was priced at around $1400. Lowrance had spent alot of years at the top of their game in electronics and I still have some older units in sonar & gps. I purchased the P66 Airmar xducer to go with my Lowrance finder. I know of a few others that have upgraded their finders to Airmar xducers. But something has gone the other direction within Lowrance which has surged Hummingbird ahead. The quality is not there anymore as it once was. Bandaid fixes is how Lowrance repairs their newer equipment. With the high dollars we pay into getting good units, its better to be diligent than to just throw money at something because it "looks" impressive. Hummingbird, Si-Tex, Furuno, and Raymarine have been leaders in their elctronics and some are still very reasonably priced.

[dragonfly]

wyodeerslayer I would make a list of the things you want your ff/ chart plotter to do, check out screen size, resolution,map programs and quality of sonar take your list check them out hands on at the dealers and see which one stands out ,they all have a little different operating programs but they can be easily learned for me it took 2, 1 furuno 585 for a dedicated ff and large screen, and a garmin 456 for its ocean and inland lake charts, tr-1 compatibility and back up ff. I couldn't find an all in one that has the size, definition or charts as these 2 separate units. its is probably overkill but it is very convenient viewing both full screens separately and not having to split screens or toggle back and forth. but thats just me

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Dragonfly makes a valid point. Find what works for you! I run a Lowrance HDS5 and most of my fishing is at the Gorge for all species and I've found it to serve me well. The combo works great but yeah, I'm bouncing all over different screens. Maybe it's screen size but I like seeing detail and the 5" may be too small for my liking but $1,000 more for the 10" screen just didn't seem worth it. I have not had any problems with it at all. The manual clears my head when I think I know how to fix the display on my own. The primary feature I like about the combo unit is that I can pull it off the boat and mount it into my ice fishing sled and I have "ALL THE SAME" info available on the hard deck. I strongly recommend getting the Navionics "HOT MAPS" as an accessory. The detail in the lake bottom contours make a BIG difference when you start chasing Macs. Let us know what you decide.

[dragonfly]

also if you are having problems understanding your machine go to you tube and type in your model there is always someone there that has some kind of fix or take your head down to your dealer and have him show you, I am lucky to live by Portland and have very good dealers and reps.(i am not talking department type stores that sell every thing and you usually know more than they do but a marine outfit that does sales and services ) and while there see if there are any updates for your unit they will often update it for free. and speaking of maps and details and you fish Oregon go to www.aol.research.pdx.edu/ the have couture and inner active maps and more info than you will ever need all done buy the university of Portland

[WYODEERSLAYER]

DragonFly, I am actually purchasing the boat in Portland from Siglers Marine. As for the electronics, I am purchasing them from Portland Marine Electronics. Todd(owner of PME),has been very helpful, but is pushing Garmin. I have not had allot of time to research this as I put my boat up for sale and it sold on the first day. Should have asked for more money. I didn't plan on buying a new boat until next spring but found a great deal. I have been fishing with Lowrance electronics for the last 20 years and makes it very hard to change since I have never had a problem with them. Todd basically said the same as Bduck, that their QC and customer service has been poor, which makes me very nervous since these ff are so advanced. On my last ff, all I would do is split the screen with sonar and the gps screen. To many options to choose from now days and to make things worse I have to decide by tomorrow morning as I will be traveling out there in two weeks to pick up the boat. Thanks again for all of the input.

[dragonfly]

wyodeerslayer you cant go wrong with gamin especially on the chart side. the sonar like all ff depends on the transducer and an airmar upgrade is highly recommended but can be added later. just look at the screens with fish arches you want sharp detail and be able to see the center clearly and not all blurred together the sharper and clearer the picture quality the better you will be able to see the faint fish echo on the edge of the cone, I cant speak of the others but maby some with the hummingbird or Lowrance will speak out good luck, dfly

[bfloyd4445]

Dragonfly makes a valid point. Find what works for you! I run a Lowrance HDS5 and most of my fishing is at the Gorge for all species and I've found it to serve me well. The combo works great but yeah, I'm bouncing all over different screens. Maybe it's screen size but I like seeing detail and the 5" may be too small for my liking but $1,000 more for the 10" screen just didn't seem worth it. I have not had any problems with it at all. The manual clears my head when I think I know how to fix the display on my own. The primary feature I like about the combo unit is that I can pull it off the boat and mount it into my ice fishing sled and I have "ALL THE SAME" info available on the hard deck. I strongly recommend getting the Navionics "HOT MAPS" as an accessory. The detail in the lake bottom contours make a BIG difference when you start chasing Macs. Let us know what you decide.

I was afraid of the same thing but ended up with the hum 788 to save 800 bucks and cause of the high res display and the suposidly better charts. The chart issue really irrits me. My dumb cell phone gives me high detail topo charts any place i go and can also chart plot very accurately with the free gps app, accutrack, and hum says then include high detail charts with this unit but don't; In fact, like most manufacturers for most of the country there are no charts unless you pay a high price for regional charts. Wish i could use my 788's display through my phone like i can in my car. you can buy a notbook for 300 and national geo maps for 60 more which gives one very good topo info every where. keep in mind theis also gives depth info

[bfloyd4445]

also if you are having problems understanding your machine go to you tube and type in your model there is always someone there that has some kind of fix or take your head down to your dealer and have him show you, I am lucky to live by Portland and have very good dealers and reps.(i am not talking department type stores that sell every thing and you usually know more than they do but a marine outfit that does sales and services ) and while there see if there are any updates for your unit they will often update it for free. and speaking of maps and details and you fish Oregon go to www.aol.research.pdx.edu/ the have couture and inner active maps and more info than you will ever need all done buy the university of Portland

The link you provided dosen't work

[dragonfly]

bfloyd4445 that is there link to there home page that is not working but this will get you there http://aol.geos.pdx.edu/?minx=904708...axy=642930.875

[bfloyd4445]

Dragonfly, thanks.
That link is great!! Has lots of lakes in Oregon

[mrmike]

I know Todd very knowledgeable man I picked up the 740s color screen Garmin it does a great job for me rcommended by Todd and purchased through his shop

[WYODEERSLAYER]

Thanks for all of the advice, I have decided to install the Lowarnce HDS 10 Gen 2 with structure scan at the wheel and the HDS 5 Gen 2 at the back of the boat with a Airmar P66. One more week before I can pick my new boat. Thanks again

[jvino]

I have an HDS-10 Gen2 with the new structure scan and a P66. It is a great combo!! I fished Detroit this last weekend for the first time with the P66, it made a huge difference. Less "noise" on the screen and more defined "marks". Made finding fish easier!!