Chuck59 Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Good Morning Forum I need a little advice. I plan to upgrade my electronics. Trying to decide between the Garmin 741xs and Lowrance Ti 7.. I currently have Lowrance Elite 4 which is too small. My transducer is a shoot-thru hull. My questions are: Which unit is the most user friendly? Do both units offer the option to expand the screen with finger touch? Are both satisfactory with the shoot-thru mounting configuration? Thanks chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 I haven't looked at the Garmin but I will. I have been looking at the Elite 7ti and I really like it a lot. Seems like a lot of features for a good price, compares well to HDS only missing a few feature that I don't need. I like that it links to Motorguide TM and Power Pole, I have both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck59 Posted November 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Sorry I did answer your questions from what I know. Elite 7 will pinch zoom, and if you want structure scan you will have mount that transducer on the transom. Also I would think you current transducer will work with Elite 7, but won't give structure scan or down scan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 I watched a video on the Garmin. I have to say Elite 7 ti offers much more bang for your buck. Garmin for about $800 basically get a built in map and regular bottom finder, and maybe XM weather capability. Lowrance for about $800 you get side scan, down scan, chirp, built in map+navionics map, and ability to control T/M and Power Pole. Of course there are more options with each, but I think those are most common. Maybe someone has hands on experience with both and will chime in. You might also consider the Simrad Go 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donh Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Quote Just curious.... What is the need for the connection between the sounder/GPS and trolling motor and power pole? dh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Power Pole is Bluetooth and a cable is needed to run from the machine to TM. There an extra plug on the TM for connecting to the sounder machine. Its pretty cool you can have TM run tracks saved in the sounder or just steer it like the remote. Don't know that I would use the feature much, but It would be a great backup should TM remote batts die or I drop the remote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 One other thing to add here - I don't know if the Garmin offers side scan capability, but if not, that would be a significant consideration for me. Not many people use side scan, or not as many as I'd expect, but since getting it for my boat, I find it absolutely invaluable. Think about it - we fish shallow, so downscan is nearly useless for finding fish. Side scan is pretty impressive. Take a look at some of these images - these are striper up here in NC. You can see I'm in pretty shallow water, and the white specks with the shadows are fish. You can also see some pretty amazing structure to the left/right if you look. You may not want side scan immediately, but being able to upgrade to it later will save you from having to buy a new machine. And with the total scan transducer, you only have one xducer to install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Takes some getting used to I bet, looks awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulligan Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 I never thought I would use something like side scan but it is a great tool to have, almost cheating. A big thing I like about it is the ability to find bait especially in the dark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Mulligan - I agree 100% - didn't think I'd use it, but 9x out of 10, it's what my Lowrance is displaying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 I have the Garmin 94sv and the side scan is very clear as well.......good for finding redfish around dock pilings, etc. The down scan is also clear as a bell. I am not saying Garmin is better, because I have no experience with Lowrance. Marine electronics of all types are far better than they were just 3 to 5 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck59 Posted November 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Thanks for all of the information. The more that I look at the Elite 7 TI, the more I like it. have seen some reviews that discuss the TotalScan transducer vs. the Downscan/Sidescan model. Marine Deal offers the Unit with either transducer. I plan to mount mine inside the hull and shoot thru. I know that this will affect sidescan, but not really worried about the detail of the places that I fish in the marsh. Any suggestions on which transducer is the best for my application? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 I would guess the only thing that would work through the hull would be the regular 83/200 transducer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted November 12, 2016 Report Share Posted November 12, 2016 I am very disappointed with the Garmin's new mapping software....no longer displays creeks and details...they want you to buy the overlays...which I'm not going to pay for.... Not a deal breaker for me or return as I know my areas...it was a "nice to have" but, would'nt buy another... dc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.