deciding on a sonar/gps unit

With black Friday coming up, I’m finding a lot of good deals on sonar/gps units. I’m looking for something that’s only 7″ and has side imaging. I’m having a hard time deciding on a unit. Any preferences on SI quality? on I like the helix 7 because if I want I can upgrade to I pilot eventually. But I like the Lowrance hook2 and elite ti 2 units for the price. Then there are these garmin units that are keeping me interested. I’m wondering about these auto mapping features though. Will it make the map as you are driving the boat or is there a program or chip you have to buy at an additional cost? I know there are plenty of guys out there that have invested in these newer units. What are the opinions? Thanks in advance!

There not out yet, but announced, my pick would be the Humminbird Helix 7, Mega, SI, G3N. $799. 7″ may be a little small but mega imaging ought to help compensate. The 7 should also have ice fishing screens that will allow you to use it year round with some additional coin.

I think they are all good units. It comes down to personal preference. If you ever feel you want to break the bank, I would say Garmin is the leader as far as technology goes this month anyway. Things change fast. I have run humminbird, lowrance, and garmin in the last 10 years. I would say humminbirds are the most user friendly out there. Both garmin and lowrance have several sub menu’s that make it more of a challenge to find what you want to change. Once you get some time with them it is much easier.

I love the garmin 73 sv

Ive had Bird units for the last 10 years or so, however the one thing that is possibly leaning me towards Lowrance is their palette 13 setting on 2d sonar. It overlays the DI sonar over the 2d sonar and the objects most fishermen look for like rock, hard bottom, bait, and fish stick out like they are highlighted. Very neat function.

Attachments:

1. 

   Lowrance_Palettes_fish_320x200.jpg
   

I’ve owned all three of the “relatively modern” big three. (1198 bird, Gen 2 HDS 12, currently a Garmin gpsMAP 942xs and Echomap 73sv plus)

The Garmins and Birds are easiest to use. But the Lowrances allow for more screen customization (ie. bigger or smaller numbers where YOU want them)

They all make outstanding units, and I’ve been happy with them all.

I will say that Garmins ability to make your own maps is the easiest. Unlike Humminbird, you only need a blank SD card, not a special mapping chip ($$$)

I’d suggest whatever you end up with, get a touchscreen. I didn’t think it was a big deal until I had it with the Lowrances after I had the 1198 Bird.

Now that all my Garmins are touchscreen, I would never go without.

If you ever see yourself using Panoptics, Garmin would definitely be the way to go.