What fish finder do I buy?

[Mike523]

I want to upgrade my fish finder. I’m looking at the helix 5 or 7. Is there anything I need to know as far as what to buy? I troll on Lake Ontario. I don’t want the down imaging? Correct? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Mike. Sea stupid, Wilson.

 

 

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[J.D.]

Decide on you price range, then get the most "pixels and power" you can afford. Duel frequency is a great feature, the other special features are up to you. Most manufacturers offer the operator manuals free online in PDF format. Download the manuals and check for ease of use.  Some units make you go through a ton of menu options to make a simple adjustment. I chose a Furuno 625 unit 6 years ago because it has dials and knobs rather than a ton of buttons, and their bullet proof reputation.  Take a trip to Bass Pro or Cabela's  and look at the units for yourself. Play with the functions and find which unit will work best for YOU in your price range.

[Mike523]

Thanks J.D. I’m going to Cabela’s and check them out.


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[stoneam2006]

Thanks J.D. I’m going to Cabela’s and check them out.


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I am new to boats and bought the helix 7 last year. With nothing to compare it to other than the lowrance I have used seems the helix is much easier to use. Really like mine and would buy it again want to eventually put a 10 atthe wheel and the 7 on back.

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[Chas0218]

Really anything you can afford is better than nothing. What exactly are you looking for? GPS/FF combo? dedicated FF? Primary species you will be fishing for?

Edited May 11, 2018 by Chas0218

[Mike523]

Really anything you can afford is better than nothing. What exactly are you looking for? GPS/FF combo? dedicated FF? Primary species you will be fishing for?

Targeting Salmon primarily. FF my biggest priority


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[rolmops]

I have a Furuno 628 and I love it. The fish finder quality mostly depends on sensitivity of the transducer. The best investment is a high end transducer. The user friendly and high end transducer furuno is the biggest bang for your buck. I don’t think that you will find them at Cabelas.


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[Riggered]

For the money, hook 7 

[Fishnut]

Get the biggest screen you can get in your budget. I would also recommend getting one with a chart plotter gps. And maybe the card to go with it so you have the topography of the lake.


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[Fishnut]

Get the biggest screen you can get in your budget. I would also recommend getting one with a chart plotter gps. And maybe the card to go with it so you have the topography of the lake.
I have a lorance with a 12 inch screen on my big boat and a helix 5 with down imaging on my small boat. I love them both, just wish I’d have went with the bigger screen on the helix.

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[outwest]

Garmin echomap  preloaded with 17000 lakes / very user friendly/ great screen in sunlight / great gps / And if you ever have a problem there very quick too help and there relatively inexpensive .

[letsfish2day]

Garmin echomap  preloaded with 17000 lakes / very user friendly/ great screen in sunlight / great gps / And if you ever have a problem there very quick too help and there relatively inexpensive .

X2....best I’ve ever used


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[justtracytrolling]

We have helix units on our boats and love them all.  Never had an issue.  After having 12's I'd say size matters!!!