Best fishfinder???

I read on here and I have read lots of coustomer reviews and it just confuses me on fish finders
I am on a limited budget and was wondering which unit Hummingbird or Lowrance (w/GPS & DI) in the price range of $500 would have the best features and be the most dependable. And the least amount of problems right out of the box. Or am I looking for something in that price range that don’t exsist? “Any and All” help would be appreciated!!!

Thanks!!!

Both Lowrance and Humminbird make quality units. Humminbird is a site sponsor so there is some allegiance here to birds. My best advice I can give is to go to a store that carries both brands and play with the ones in your price range. They will both get the job done, but you will find one menu system you like better, a screen you think is better, or a feature on one that you want that the other doesn’t have.

You also need to look at if you want a sonar/gps combo, just a 2d sonar, a downscan, etc. Lots to think about, but a decision you ultimately need to make based on how you plan to use the unit.

Good luck with your decision. Buying new electronics is frustrating at times, but ultimately a lot of fun.

Take a long look at the new Elite 7 DSI lots of unit for the price!

Yep, if I were buying in that range, I’d find the extra $100 and jump on that Elite 7.

I got a Humminbird 597 w/o the di to run off my trolling motor and one of the main reasons was the Lakemaster chip. Just something else to think about. It can be a little overwhelming But do what the other gentleman said and go somewhere and play with them and get some hands on time. Maybe Cabelas or somewhere with some knowledgable sales guys. Some of those things cost more than a 70″ TV and a Bose surround system!!

I bought a Lowrance Elite 5 dsi and gps and it took a crap on me already. I returned it and i’m thinking of going with something in the bird 500 series.

I just bought a lowrance hds5 two days ago. Awesome unit from what I can tell playing in the drive way. Havent had it on the water yet. I paid 650 for it without structure scan

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I read on here and I have read lots of coustomer reviews and it just confuses me on fish finders
I am on a limited budget and was wondering which unit Hummingbird or Lowrance (w/GPS & DI) in the price range of $500 would have the best features and be the most dependable. And the least amount of problems right out of the box. Or am I looking for something in that price range that don’t exsist? “Any and All” help would be appreciated!!!

Thanks!!!

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Found a Humminbird 587ci HD DI with gps for 430 on ebay. It should be arriving tomorrow.

Thats is a deal… Congrats!
I am still trying to decide…

If you want fishfinder, than don’t get a downscan only unit. I had purchased the Elite 5x DSi. I returned it, because it only has downscan, no sonar, no GPS. That being said DSI does not “mark” fish like sonar does. If you are on a budget , get sonar not DSI. I double downed to get the Elite 7 HDI when I returned the Elite 5x. HDI is $699 at most places. However, the thing is awesome. I haven’t had it in water yet, but spent several hours customizing it in the garage.

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DSI does not “mark” fish like sonar does

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DSI marks them differently, and in my opinion better, than standard 2D sonar. I run down scan and 2D side by side all the time. Once you understand how to read the DSI, you should have no problem picking out fish.