Stonehenge Posted September 8, 2017 Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 Reside in Jacksonville. Have a 1900V pathfinder. Purchased with no electronics. Plan on doing inshore and near shore fishing. What electronics should I get for this boat? Do I need radar, side imaging, or just a basic fish finder? Kind of new to this, looking preferably closer to $500 but best bang for the buck under $1K. Any concerns with looking used or should I stick to new? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted September 8, 2017 Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 Take a look at a 74SV Garmin in that price range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehenge Posted September 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 Thanks!, I'll check it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradM Posted September 8, 2017 Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 I have a 1900v as well, and a Garmin 540s. Unless Garmin starts catching up to Lowrance and Simrad on their graphics, I'll never buy another one. On the plus side, Garmin is very user friendly and works well enough for me. Their pre loaded maps and lack of updates is disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted September 9, 2017 Report Share Posted September 9, 2017 4 hours ago, BradM said: I have a 1900v as well, and a Garmin 540s. Unless Garmin starts catching up to Lowrance and Simrad on their graphics, I'll never buy another one. On the plus side, Garmin is very user friendly and works well enough for me. Their pre loaded maps and lack of updates is disappointing. This. I've been a Lowrance product guy for a while, but my 1900 came with Garmin 50dv so it was easier to swap head units and reuse the transducer. I found a deal on the Garmin 74dv at West Marine for $399 with charts. Keep an eye out. Deals pop up regularly but you have to be ready to buy right then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted September 9, 2017 Report Share Posted September 9, 2017 Good deal right here, with transducer and Insight maps https://www.westmarine.com/buy/simrad--go7-xse-touchscreen-combo-with-hdi-downscan-transducer-and-insight-charts--17204462?recordNum=14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted September 9, 2017 Report Share Posted September 9, 2017 I'll never buy another GARMIN...they "cheated" their maps so you have to "upgrade" to get decent overlays.... I"d go SIMRAD on my next round..... dc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted September 9, 2017 Report Share Posted September 9, 2017 If you are interested in Garmin : check out The GPS Store for a deal, sometimes they offer the 74SV and 94SV with the Blue Chart G2 Chart ( chip ) which will be listed by " region". This is normally a $235 upgrade. But if you watch their website or call, they will sell the unit with the side view transducer and Blue Chart G2 chip at no extra cost,. I believe the 74 sells for around $700. There is no comparison in the clarity and details that the Blue Chart chip offers over the Garmin " Coastal Map". ****. If you go with Garmin, do get the Blue Chart G2 chip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted September 10, 2017 Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 I bgt an echo chirp 54cv with blue chart G2 installed for under $500. It does everything i want and has good graphics. They make the same machine in a larger size if you want that. Unless you are fishing shallow water,mangroves or sod banks side view doesn't do much for me. Check Amazon out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehenge Posted September 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 Thanks everyone for the feedback. So much options on electronics. Lots of different product descriptions. Most of which I don't know what it means. Very confusing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dropaline Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 go to you tube it will explain features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 I've got a Garmin 50dv without transducer that I took off my boat a few weeks ago. It's for sale if you're interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehenge Posted September 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 5 hours ago, dropaline said: go to you tube it will explain features. Thanks! Starting to understand it more now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 Stonehenge - given what you will be fishing and your price range, if you can get a Lowrance TI, I think it will give you the best bang for the buck. It has down-scan, side scan, and chirp, great maps, upgradable software, and a single transducer. I got the Lowrance HDS Gen 3, but almost got the TI. Has all the same critical features as my HDS, but about half the price. I only went with the HDS because the TI had JUST been released at the time and I've been burned on "new" electronics too many times. I think the reviews have been great though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 I agree, the Lowrance Elite Ti is a good unit. Had one on my Lappy. If you can afford it, go for that or the HDS, or Simrad GO series. But if you're on a budget, I'll make you a deal on the 50dv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehenge Posted September 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Hummingbird Helix 7 SI a good option? Anyone have experiences with this? I am leaning towards it and it looks like a pretty good bang for the buck. Debating between that or the Simrad Go 7 XSE, but am concerned with it being touch screen only it eventually not working/going out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Go with the Simrad. You won't be disappointed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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