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  1. #1
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    Fish Finder cost now vs 10 years ago.

    I was going through an old 2011 BPS catalog I had and decided to do a comparison between the the cost of the top of the line units each company back then had vs a comparable unit they offer now and I was amazed. Humminbird's top of the line unit back then was an 1198c SI combo with a 10.4" screen that retailed for $2800 their closest unit to that now is a Helix 10 MSI G4N unit for $2000. Lowrance's top unit was the HDS 10 10.4 inch screen for $2500 vs a HDS Carbon 12 now for $1500. The top Garmin unit back then was a GPSMAP 740s a 7" unit for $1700 that did have a touch screen unlike the other brands at the time but was just 2d and mapping, no mention of down or side view, closest thing in comparison to that now is the Echomap UHD 73 CV for $650. I know we all complain about the cost of these new units now but even with inflation the technology has progressed so far in the past 10 years you can now get units with far better side and down imaging, quicker processors and more features for considerably less money. Even the cheapest 5" screen units that had color sonar and GPS were $500-600 back then vs $300 or less now.

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    #2
    Can't really compare an HDS10 with an HDS12 Carbon since those aren't the current model. A current HDS12 Live is $3249. An HDS9 Live is $2099. But yes, like most technology, prices typically come down over the years. TV's are a good example of this. I paid $1500 for a 50" plasma TV in 2010. Now a TV that size can be had for $300.

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    #3
    Quote Originally Posted by mrdeath View Post
    Can't really compare an HDS10 with an HDS12 Carbon since those aren't the current model. A current HDS12 Live is $3249. An HDS9 Live is $2099. But yes, like most technology, prices typically come down over the years. TV's are a good example of this. I paid $1500 for a 50" plasma TV in 2010. Now a TV that size can be had for $300.
    Ok maybe an Elite FS 9 would be a more accurate comparison for $1200 either way far better for less.

  4. BBC SPONSOR Bass Cat Boats's Avatar
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    #4
    However popular units for most then were 700, 898 and 998 units, and not the top end 1198. Lowrance 350’s were seldom sold with GPS and the X15 graphs were all black and white screens. The LCx 16 came into popularity and it was a smaller color screen.

    We totally agree and see your reference points, though larger screens and multiple screens are still elevating boat and our equipment costs.

  5. Member Coastal Mountaineer's Avatar
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    #5
    For Garmin, the 740s supported radar, auto pilot, and a host of other add ons. It was very popular and a decent value at the time. A better comparison today would be with an GPSMap 723xsv unit. It has networking capability for radar, weather, etc., and a built in sonar with sv/dv but no transducer and sells for $1099.99. Add a GT56 and it's another $449.99.

    Your point is a good one. When we remark about today's high prices, we often forget the improved utility and features of the item.
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  6. Member Wayne P.'s Avatar
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    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by bassfisher444 View Post
    I was going through an old 2011 BPS catalog I had and decided to do a comparison between the the cost of the top of the line units each company back then had vs a comparable unit they offer now and I was amazed. Humminbird's top of the line unit back then was an 1198c SI combo with a 10.4" screen that retailed for $2800 their closest unit to that now is a Helix 10 MSI G4N unit for $2000. Lowrance's top unit was the HDS 10 10.4 inch screen for $2500 vs a HDS Carbon 12 now for $1500. The top Garmin unit back then was a GPSMAP 740s a 7" unit for $1700 that did have a touch screen unlike the other brands at the time but was just 2d and mapping, no mention of down or side view, closest thing in comparison to that now is the Echomap UHD 73 CV for $650. I know we all complain about the cost of these new units now but even with inflation the technology has progressed so far in the past 10 years you can now get units with far better side and down imaging, quicker processors and more features for considerably less money. Even the cheapest 5" screen units that had color sonar and GPS were $500-600 back then vs $300 or less now.
    The Helix 12 replaced the 1100 series, the Helix 10 replaced the 900 series, the Helix 9 replaced the 800 series, the Helix 7 replaced the 700 series.
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Wayne P. View Post
    The Helix 12 replaced the 1100 series, the Helix 10 replaced the 900 series, the Helix 9 replaced the 800 series, the Helix 7 replaced the 700 series.
    I was comparing them to the closest units we have now when it comes to screen size and features not the top models of each brand then vs now, costs are much closer when you do that but the screen size is also much bigger on the top unitsnow. I think we all agree that a G4 Helix 10 or even a G3 model is a far better unit than an 1198c unit that also costs much less brand new.

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    #8
    The prices have gone down but now you are supposed to need twice as many units to catch the fish.

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    #9
    Quote Originally Posted by ttranger View Post
    The prices have gone down but now you are supposed to need twice as many units to catch the fish.
    So true but I wouldn’t give away my three 12” units, Mega 360 and Mega Live��
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