side scan and down imaging unit

looking for affordable unit, but did’nt win lottery yet any suggestion?

It really comes down to how much you want to spend and if you want a touch screen or not.

If you don’t need a touch screen, the Lowrance Hook2 models will work just fine and give you side and downscan.

If you want touch screen (just can’t pinch and zoom like a phone) the Elite Ti and Elite Ti2 units would be the next best option. The Elite Ti2 gives you the ability to do wireless networking of two units and use of the active 3 in 1 ducer.

If you want to buy the mack daddy you go HDS live units

Chris Messerschmidt wrote:

If you don’t need a touch screen, the Lowrance Hook2 models will work just fine and give you side and downscan.

Recently bought one of these on a whim for a smokin deal, but now I’m reading about a lot of complaints with the tripleshot ducer losing bottom above say 10mph. I’m not too worried since I run a small boat and don’t spend much time going any faster than that. But fair warning.

They charge like $150 for that ducer alone so it shouldn’t come with these reported issues in my opinion.

tangler wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Chris Messerschmidt wrote:</div>
If you don’t need a touch screen, the Lowrance Hook2 models will work just fine and give you side and downscan.

Recently bought one of these on a whim for a smokin deal, but now I’m reading about a lot of complaints with the tripleshot ducer losing bottom above say 10mph. I’m not too worried since I run a small boat and don’t spend much time going any faster than that. But fair warning.

They charge like $150 for that ducer alone so it shouldn’t come with these reported issues in my opinion.

This is part of an the downfalls of some transducers and mounting locations. Even the new 3 in 1 Active transducer will lose bottom in a lot of instances. This is because guys mount them to Jackplates and up under steps on the transoms. Those areas are up out of the water on plane.

I personally will be running the new AI 3 in 1, but I will be running a separate 2D (HST-WSBL) Transducer for high speed running.

But the tripleshot is a touchy one to mount properly.

You can find good prices now on the Humminbird Helix G2’s. These are being discounted because of the G3’s.

Hi, I am only familiar with HB units. If this is your first attempt at getting to know how to use DI/SI, you can find 1198 and 1199 units on Craigslist for under $1,000. While these are not the latest units, they are still very capable units. Add a used Lakemaster chip for around $50 and your all set. The 1199 also comes with an internal GPS.

I would not go smaller than a 10″ unit so that you can still easily view both map and sonar at the same time.

Defender is offering the 12” elite Ti unit with TS ducer for $899. Not sure how many are left.
https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|344|2028688|2028737&id=4863096