Electronics, how does one decide??

[DaveTTN]

I have been thinking of upgrading to a new boat later this year and deciding on electronics is beyond confusing. I want side imaging and detailed maps at the console and traditional down sonar and detailed maps on the front. I am having difficulty deciding on what the best bang for the buck is on a mid range ($2000 total) budget for electronics.

[riverc]

Well you're in the right place.I would suggest reading up on Humminbird,Lowrance and Garmin on the forums here.Once you get a idea which one you want.Head to the nearest Bass Pro and or Cabelas and play with all 3 to see which one you like best.Then shop and look for the best deal you can get.

[rudapa]

Go fishing with some folks is the best way to compare.

[BassCatBrad]

All 3 brand have good units in your price range. Couple of suggestions. 1. Link the 2 units together so they share waypoints. 2. Get a good map card. I have Lakemasters with Google Earth views in my Humminbirds and love them.

[fishin couillon]

Well one thing is that they all do the same, maps/sonar/imaging......IMO, if you rely on maps you need to check each brand out and see what they have for mapping cause not all mapping is compatible with all units....some mapping is better than others so, check that out first then look at the images they produce......for a $2000 budget, the 9" units will be whats in the budget.

[DaveTTN]

Yeah I was looking at the 9’s. At this point I think I could just throw Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance into a hat and just pull out a name.

I am currently leaning towards the Lowrance Elite 9 Ti2 at both locations.

[dryhorn2]

Just go with the bird...

[DaveTTN]

Or the Garmin 93sv plus lol.

[catch5]

Yeah I was looking at the 9’s. At this point I think I could just throw Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance into a hat and just pull out a name.

I am currently leaning towards the Lowrance Elite 9 Ti2 at both locations.

Maybe. Depends. I use the mapping more than anything Else. To me Navionics, which is what you would get with lowerance, is leaps and bounds behind the lake master chip that you would use in the humminbird.

[rudapa]

Chevy VS Ford on here, get out on the water with people and have them show you and then decide.

[kycurs]

Cmap in the lowrance puts lakemaster in 2nd again.

[Skunked again]

Posts # 2 & 3. Great advice !

[Teadow1972]

Theyre all good now days flip 3 coins and go.

[Bassguy2]

I have been thinking of upgrading to a new boat later this year and deciding on electronics is beyond confusing. I want side imaging and detailed maps at the console and traditional down sonar and detailed maps on the front. I am having difficulty deciding on what the best bang for the buck is on a mid range ($2000 total) budget for electronics.

I decided not to follow the crowd, ie Lowrance, Humminbird and I went to Garmin. Garmin has been in the industry a long time on large sea going vessels. Just my .02.