Gps fish finder recommendation

[Pat Onofrio]

Has anyone had any luck with using the gps features with fish finders? I was looking at the Elite 5-hdi from Lowrance. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Leo Nguyen]

Pat, if you're choosing that as your fishing arsenal, I don't think we can recommend any other unit aside from going up to the Elite 7. If you have that kind of spare change laying around to invest in such as great fish finder, there's no better way to start out with that. A few of us here actually use either a model less, or the same exact model for kayak and small boat. I believe Ken Sobanski is using that same model, while Rick King is using the Elite 5 HDS. Are you looking at the budget at $500 for that unit (which can range between $350 to $450 on deals), or are you talking looking for a less expensive model? What's your intended budget, and the desires of bells and whistles on the fish finder? I know bass/oceanic species chasers around here that are using $2000 to $5000 fish finders on their boat..scare the hell out of me seeing their arsenals of choices.

[Pat Onofrio]

I fish a number of small lakes in the southwest end of Michigan. My biggest question is about the GPS since my computer skills are nominal at best. If I buy the elite 5 HDS, they are ($500) at Cabala's, do I have to buy more cards or spend another $100 to set way points. My Eagle fish finder just died after 15 years and all it was good for seeing structure and note depth. Now that I am retired, I want to find the gills when they are staging up before the spawn and more importantly where to fish them mid summer after the 4th.

Thanks so much for your advise. 

Pat Onofrio

   

[Leo Nguyen]

There's a built in 2GB of storage space in the fish finder itself. That should be more than sufficient to store a minimum of 100,000 way points with full data. The SD card (roughly 4GB is size), contains quite a bit of mapping info for pretty much the entire U.S. water bodies. Navionic also expand the horizon of new maps as well. Transferring from the unit to the SD card, you can actually get a smaller $10 card (about 16GB in size), and that should be more that sufficient to transfer years of way point data, including any notes. Way point data is extremely small. Ken has so much info on compiling collective data for depths, currents, and submit your data to get paid.

[carl hendrix]

pat-- I have  those fishfinders on my boat but have yet to get a gps chip with them.  you can get the chips; from lowrance ( around 100 bucks) for the unit.  it can dial in your area of fishing;; showing shallow area and stumps; (if there are any).    I have a mark 5 dsi on my trolling motor in gray scale and a mark pro hds in color  both can draw a excellent pic of what ever is beneath your boat

[carl hendrix]

but have you ever considered a hand held unit??  at a hundred bucks-- its a lot cheaper;; can get you to within 10 feet of what you mark on it;; has a return route; compass;; can mark way sides for you to.  garmin maks a excellent one;; and;; you don't need to get the chips!!

[Pat Onofrio]

Thanks ago, I hope I can see the gills and mark them is structure. There is 25 inches of ice here now. Hopefully by the end of April we can get in a boat.

[carl hendrix]

one other thing I might add pat;;  best way to figure out your fishfinder --  find some structure in say a 8 to 10 foot water depth.  pull out your instruction book;; drop anchor.  have a sandwich close by;; and  something to drink.  you might be there awhile!!  OR!!  find some body who  knows these units;; and get them to go with you;; ( my preferred way)  to show you what it can do!!  it CAN do a lot more than it says it can do!!