I’m going to be putting a new sonar unit on my tin boat in the next few months, starting to do my research now. I’m not wedded to any brand. All I want is a reliable sonar and I’d love to get side imagine included. Do not need down imaging or GPS, although I wouldn’t be mad if the unit was GPS capable.
My initial search has turned up the Garmin Striker 7SV, Helix 5 SI, and Lowrance Hook2 5″ w/ tripleshot.
I’m open to a used unit like a 598 (?) if the money makes sense.
Thanks!
Sent you a PM with some info.
The nice thing about the Helix 5 is you can buy a transducer and also use it for ice fishing.
SI is awesome, but I’ve used it a bit with a 5″ screen and it makes it tough to read when you have it out more than 20-30′ on each side. Not trying to discourage you in the least bit, just giving you my observations. I will say it’s better than not having it at all at least.
My small tin boat has a Helix 5 std sonar/GPS on a ram mount I move from my truck, ATV, ice pack and boat and it works great and the price is tough to beat.
Thanks guys. anyone want to make a case for Lowrance or Garmin?
I’d also recommend going bigger than 5″ screen.
There is a humminbird/minn-kota facebook group where people sell used units all the time. Not sure what your budget is, but I think you could probably find a 899 or 999 SI for a good price.
Without checking, I bet you could get an 899 for $300-$400 and a 999 for $400-$500?
Maybe even less. I had an 899 and it worked well, I wouldn’t want a screen smaller than that for SI though.
I have 2 of the Garmin 73 and I almost always have one in full screen SI. It’s a game changer for the smallie fishing I have been doing. Only my 2nd year with the unit, so I don’t have all the tricks figured out yet, but finding boulders off to the side is a HUGE advantage. Going to try it in the mud flats on ML this weekend to see how effective that is.
The unit also has GPS with internal lake maps and downview. I hardly ever even turn downview on, but that might be helpful in the deep mud flats also. I am pretty impressed with these units.
I’d also recommend going bigger than 5″ screen.
There is a humminbird/minn-kota facebook group where people sell used units all the time. Not sure what your budget is, but I think you could probably find a 899 or 999 SI for a good price.
Without checking, I bet you could get an 899 for $300-$400 and a 999 for $400-$500?
Maybe even less. I had an 899 and it worked well, I wouldn’t want a screen smaller than that for SI though.
I agree. I have an 898 and an 899 and have been relatively happy with both. Not the best SI units, but meet or exceed my needs. I think a 998 just sold on the classifieds section for about $400, and I think I bought my 899 new for just a bit over $400. I would lean towards something with an internal GPS receiver for your use/ease of installation. I have the GPS pucks in my Pro V and internal GPS in my small 16′ river boat.
Thanks for the feedback. It’s a struggle to find the product that fits what I really want/need.
With Garmin I can get a factory refurb 7-inch unit with SI and still stay on budget, but I’ve read the strongest reviews of the Humminbird sidescan vs either Garmin or Lowrance. I don’t need to be able to see the shape of a fish shadow but would like to at least be able to ID fish on the SI, not just structure.
If it fits the budget and is a 7″ ballpark screen might be a good fit. I have no personal experience with Garmin or Lowrance. Can just give you my experience with Hbird.
Toying with the idea of selling my HB 798HD. Would come with HDSI ducer, 2 mounting cradles, ice fishing package (case, battery, 2d ducer), 10″ ram mount, possibly the US2 adapter and transducer splitter. Not sure if the new unit would utilise them. 2D transducer is glassed in my boat. May even include either a MN or WI lakemaster chip.
It’s a very multiuse unit, being able to run it at the dash, bow, or icefishing.
Sticker, Could take some pics this weekend of the side scan on the Mud? I want to see if its worth it to upgrade to Side Scan on my boat. And interested in your findings. Thanks
Sticker, Could take some pics this weekend of the side scan on the Mud? I want to see if its worth it to upgrade to Side Scan on my boat. And interested in your findings. Thanks
I’d be happy to if I remember.
Like I said I am only on my second year using SI and this is the first time on the mud with it so I am not sure what I am looking at except the edge of the mud flat is on the right side and the deep water is on the left.
Mud.jpg
These two picture are on the rocks where I am becoming better at finding structure. First pic is approaching a rock pile, the second pic you can see I am on a reef with a sharp drop off on the left side. Hope that helps.
approaching-rock-pile.jpg
drop-on-left.jpg
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