gps/fish finders

Mule · Post by **Mule** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:17 pm

I know this topic gets hit and people are kind of vague but let me tell you what I am looking for. I am looking to totally upgrade my electonics.

Iwant a decent GPS to chart me to the path to my holes and to do some expolring of the bottom and structure from the drivers seat so it will be a GPS/fish finder. I am also looking for a fish finder on the bow with the 4000w. For good dropshoting and vertical presentaions.

I know most guys like the lowrance, but after researching it seems that humingbird has more to offer for the money. Is color worth the money?

I would be willing to spend around $1500.00 combined for the driverseat and fishing deck.

Where should I spend the money?

I fish 1-2 tournaments a month and am fairly new to fishing tournaments (2 years) but am totally hooked on tournament fishing and will fish more than less in the future.

Also do any of you guys have any suggestions on good resourses for learning how to read your electronics (books, CD's, articles?)

I am single so the money I spend on electronics and fishing equipment only cuts into my beer fund so any suggestions would be apriciated.

thanks

Mule

FISH2WIN55 · Post by **FISH2WIN55** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:42 pm

I am also curious about the answer to his questions. Please chime in if you have answers.

NoCAL · Post by **NoCAL** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:22 pm

For the amount of money you are looking to spend, I don't think you can go wrong with Lowrance LMS 520s. They don't have 4000 watts of power but with color I don't think you need that much. I have no problem watching my dropshot or spoon falling on my front graph. If you got 2 of them, you'd be well under your limit of $1500.

Humminbirds are great units and you can get into the side view technology for about $1200. That doesn't leave much for the front unit. I don't feel their lower cost units compare to Lowrances. Now if you can bump your spending up to about $1700 you can get what I just upgraded to. I have a Lowrance LCX 28HD at the console. It has all built-in maps, GPS, 3000 watts, and a 7" screen. I put a LMS 520 at the bow and purchased it from Cabela's without GPS. I then linked the two units with the cables that came with the two units and bought a Navionics card for the front unit. I can save waypoints on either unit and they are saved to both. I can follow contour lines with the front unit and the power of either is plenty. I have nothing against Humminbird but for what I spent, I'm very happy and have what I consider a very useful system.

NoCAL

bassindon69 · Post by **bassindon69** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:30 pm

I 2nd that. I took it as no one responded because you were already leaning towards hummingbird. Now if you said you were wanting to up grade a lowrance then you would have got more responses LOL!
I like the color more then black and white. I will soon have another to network them, I hope soon anyway LOL!

Best of luck with your new finder what ever you get.

Don.

Art H. · Post by **Art H.** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:35 pm

I also agree with this choice, but thats because this is what I upgraded too.

I bought the 520's for the console and bow. Overkill maybe, but I am happy. I can see things now that I could not see with my old graphs.

Mule · Post by **Mule** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:00 pm

I am fairly new to hardcore fishing and am having a difficult time digesting everything.

I see so many people with the lowrance equipment but after checking out the humingbird side imaging I can really see the advantages there.

Thank you all for your imput I am not quite sold on anything yet but man that side imaging is really cool.

aaron

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:42 pm

Side imaging is cool, but do you really need that? I dont think so.

For me, the main objective of the so called fish finder is to show me bottom structure and associated cover. Showing baitfish and fish is next in line. Knowing is fish are to the side of me is not something Im that interested in, and I certainly dont want to pay for a unit whose selling point is sideways viewing.

Just my opinion. Side viewing is more a gimmick than a utility.