Budget depth finder

Hi,

Looking for a budget depth finder, for a Jon boat which will see some light fishing use. Basically, the river or smaller lakes.

I found a clearance of the Lowrance Elite 4 HDI units for $199.99. Seems to have everything I’d want at a great price. Should fit nicely onto a Jon…

Thoughts?

Its a great unit.
Just sold mine for $125 to a guy off of CL and it also had a map chip that came with it.
Just a little too small of a screen for my old eyes.

The newer cheap depthfinders are still way ahead of the depthfinder I started out with. But even those worked, turn off that stupid fish ID, crank the sensitivity play with the lines and caught fish.

Light fishing use? What’s the question here, like asking what’s the best $50 rod

I’d like to get something with mapping. Those tracks can sure save a guys butt at night. I wouldn’t be afraid to hit up some of the boat classifieds on CL and throw out some offers on outdated electronics on rigs that won’t reflect anything in their price anyways. In fact, if you wait a week or two you can have whatever I get that comes with my new rig, cause that’s the first to go!

That unit has GPS mapping, down imaging and includes a map chip. Not sure how useful their mapping is, but for 199.99, I am not expecting the world.

I thought I read 500 lakes with 1′ contours, and 5000 at 3′ intervals…

Realistically, the only issue I might see would be screen size. But on a 14′ Jon, I’ll be close to the unit.

I should have added that my original thoughts were to get a Helix 5. I’d like to keep this purchase below $250.00

As long as the gps lays a reasonable track to get home with on unfamiliar waters, and shows depth, I would be good with something like that…

Mark