Where to go for electronics?

[jasonG]

I'm just starting my search for upgrading my gps units. I'm wondering where and who in Illinois knows their stuff and does excellent work. I'm leaning towards lowrance units.

[sgt93]

I switched to HB units and am beyond glad. I know it is a Chevy Ford, Dodge situation but HB's have been great

[cougarftd]

I've been a lowrance guy for over 20 years, I'm switching to HB

[jasonG]

Not a battle of which is better! I don't know anyone with a HB but am looking into them. Love that they are American made and offer the best support.

I would like to go for a ride and maybe a day fishing with someone who has these units for a comparison and quick run through.

But my main question is that I am a electric retard and was wondering who locally does the best work on installing and setting up these systems?

[cougarftd]

I installed my own...I'm sure some guys up your way will help with techs that can help you. My decision is based on product quality and customer support.

[bucketmouth4]

I've installed all of my own. Not hard to do at all. If anyone has any older gps units they want to get rid of let me know.

[jasonG]

Currently I'm running two gps units both lowrance with a puck in front and center. Center console has a 520 and the front has a model I don't recall but it's not color and has the transducer in my maxxum trolling motor.

Either way I go I'd like for both units to work together. Therefore I'd need two units. If I went with lowrance I could always keep my 520. But I'm really liking what I am seeing from HB especially with their product support and ease of use.

[cougarftd]

I have a 520 in the dash and a 522 up front I bought both units 13 months ago. Fished in a couple of pretty heavy rains and the 522 filled up with water. Lowrance says too bad. About a month over the warranty. I believe sonars should be waterproof so I will now switch to Humminbird. I have had the past 3 lowrances I have owned "fog up" but usually it did not happen until the 4th or 5th year. If you still want to give lowrance another shot the 522 has an internal antenna for the gps and you already have internal transducer on your trolling motor. You will really be getting pretty much the same readings I guess you could network them if you wanted to. Go to the lowrance forum on the board and there is plenty of how to info there on how to network and what parts you would need...not very difficult. Good luck

By the way...There is a Ranger dealer in Morris...Bedford sales??? I think they could probably hook you up. I would highly highly recommend Bob's Marine in Hillsboro, Il but that is a haul for you. He is a great guy and he and Jan always are fair and do great work.

[Rudeman]

I did all the installations on my 361. If you take your time you'll see that there is no trick to installing them. I'm on my 4th set of electronics and right now I'm running two Eagle color SONAR/GPS units each with its own antenna mounted 6 inches apart. I know exactly how well the wiring was done and I know how to troubleshoot it if I ever have problems on the water.

[AirForceAngler]

I have a Garmin and a Lowrance. When they break, I'll be going to HB's. The Lowrance came on the boat and the Garmin was a X-mas present. Not real fond of either one.