Need advice on electronics.

[ILRiverRat]

Thought I'd tap into my Champion family for advice. I've been cruising the various electronics links and forums but don't want to start a 'religous war' over who's best. I've owned Lowrance and Hummngbird brands and have no particular prejudice.

My 2000 Champ 181 came (when I bought it in 2009) with a HB 565 and the in dash (I guess factory?) flasher. I've not made any changes.

I rarely fish for Bass and never tourneys of any kind. Most of my fishing is for crappie and that's typically along rip rap, docks, and visible bruish piles. Finding my own 'sets' usually isn't hard but I know I could more easily find them with SI/DI and I'd like to have integrated GPS.

So - for somebody coming from not ever having advanced electronics would it be a waste to jump right to a high end unit? I've gotten precious little 'advice' - beyond "Buy the biggest screen you can get" Everything else seems to be preferences and opinions.

Most of the lakes I fish are midwest Flatland, Highland or Hill-land impoundments if that tells you anything. Also hit the Mississippi quite a bit but floods the last two years have removed that as an option.

I guess I'd like to cruise banks and mark piles, sets, etc and scan docks for fish. Rarely amy I fishing water deeper than 20' but a good unit might change that on some of the lakes.

Thoughts? Opinions?
Leaning towards HB 1197/98 or Lowrance HDS-8 or 10 - but maybe that's overkill for an old dog trying to learn a new trick. Very familiar with GPS and mapping data as I deal with it daily as part of my job.

just unsure of which way to go on the sonar side...

Thanks folks! Any help is appreciated as I'm just kinda starting my search.
--rat

[bassin butch]

BPS sells 3 birds to 1 low . Guy that works with has a brother that is a Gander mountain store Manager and he said 3 to 1 is about right @ GM as well.

Make your own mind up but I would take a hard look @ birds.

[bassfinder1]

For a good unit that isn't going to break the bank look at the bird 898 si. I have always ran Lowrance until this year and made the switch. There is nothing wrong with Lowrance but for user friendly the bird is amazing. I run the 998 at console and 858 at bow and I can tell ya the 1 inch screen difference from the 9 series to the 8 is hardly noticeable and the 898 si is around 500 cheaper than the 998. Look at universal mania, they are a bbc sponsor and their prices are the best I have found. You can buy a 898 for around 1250 and a 998 for around 1650.

[WaYoop]

I just replaced my original x-75 that came on the bow of my '01. Put a lowrance elite 5 dsi / gps. Very happy with it and it didn't break the bank, around $600. I think you can get the gps/regular sonar for quite a bit less, which is still a good unit. Nothing wrong with the birds either. Just my 2cents.

[bigfish1259]

If you crappie fish you'll love the sidescan, wonder how you ever lived without it. 2 of my buddies run the HB 997's they seem to be more user friendly, I run Lowrance HD's front and back. Both units have there good and bad...

[Dspchamy]

They both make great units. At the end of the day, is service after the sale mean anything to you? If so Go with HB, any issues or questons are normally answered within 24 hrs.

I am jaded had a really bad experience with LEI trying to buy some parts....They still have my $ and I didn't even look their way when it was time to upgrade.

A lot of the guys in my club have made the jump to HB also.

[Gunnar]

This is a 'Ride & Decide' question - Suggest you review the information in both the Lowarance & HB pages and (if possible) get out in a friends boat to see what each has to offer...

In general, I personally think Lowrance has the edge in sonar, downscan & networking flexability...

[ILRiverRat]

thanks for all the feedback troops..

I guess what I'm looking for is concensus on whether jumping into a top of the line unit would be best to do right off or maybe go for a lower end or mid-range.

I definitely want a side-scan w/ GPS - so

lower end and upgrade when I get smart enuff to know how to use the high end or bite the bullet now and maybe get something that's overkill...

hmmmmm


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[bassin butch]

OK then with bird either a 798 or 898 for full features (Side Scan)

If you dont want the side scan then:
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com...PDATE