Sonar Recommendations

[sneak_e_pete]

Hi there,I have decided that I would like to invest in a good quality sonar for my boat. For the past years, I have always had a Humminbird Piranha...good for depth and detecting weeds, but not much else. I would love to get a GPS unit with maps, but my budget is around $500.00. Since I really know nothing about sonar, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[mercman]

BPS Has the new humminbird 587 hd Ci on for under 5. I picked one up after christmas cause they had good reviews. I will be using it this summer.Lowrance has a few nice models also just under 600

[bigmac1984]

BPS Has the new humminbird 587 hd Ci on for under 5. I picked one up after christmas cause they had good reviews. I will be using it this summer.Lowrance has a few nice models also just under 600

 

 

If you can afford about $200 more, I'd recommend the HDS-5 (I have the 7 and love it)....

 

For 550 though you can get a very nice unit in the Elite 5 from Lowrance that has basic mapping abilities.

 

I recomment going to RadioWorld if you can, they have all units on display, and the staff are extremely helpful. Bought my HDS-7 there.

 

http://radioworld.ca/index.php?cPath=4_95&filter_id=9

[sneak_e_pete]

Thanks for the input. Just stopped by my local shop and picked up a 587ci combo unit on sale for $400.00....good deal? Good unit?

Edited January 27, 2011 by sneak_e_pete

[sneak_e_pete]

Sorry. one more question...I didn't get the HD unit...what's the difference between the ci and the ci HD? Also, is the ci HD a combo unit?