FWIW, I am looking at the hummingbird 5" screen with side imaging which I hear is pretty cool. Around $500 bucks plus the chip. Thoughts? http://www.cabelas.com/product/Humm...ader;Search-All+Products&Ntt=hummingbird+5+SI
What trolling motor do you have? if any. I would go with whoever is partnered with each other. Personally we run the Minnkota with a lowrance HDS-7
The reasoning for buying whom the trolling motor is partnered with is you may be able to use the two together, not sure if the lower models can connect though. I know our Minn Kota and Lowrance work on the same gps. I recommend the HDS-5 by Lowrance
Actually Minnkota and Humminbird is owned by the same company. But unless you are going to use the I-pilot feature then it's really irrelevant. To be honest, both hummingbird and Lowrance make great units but I've heard that customer service at Lowrance has really suffered in the last few years, at least that's what I've read on fishing forums. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes as of this year, last year they were with Lowrance and Humminbird was with Motorguide. Ive also heard their customer service has been hurting. Could always look at Garmin
I order the helix 5 with SI and am still waiting on Cabelas to ship it. Been on backorder for a while. Wish I could have given it a review for you. To me, the 5inch might be a bit small but, I wanted to have SI, DI, and GPS. This was the only affordable option for me in the 500 range. Reports seem positive that I have read.
We have some Helix in stock I believe, Give us a call and we can line you out! If we do indeed have one in stock still, it will be shipped out same day! 636-475-4240
After trying out some Lowrance, I have been a full time Humminbird guy going on 10 years. In that price range, you'll find a decent unit, just depends on what it is you are looking for. My 1 tip, is to get a colored screen, that was my biggest regret on my first DI unit I bought.
No side imaging. I have the one that's a step below that one. I paid 550.00 for mine last fall. To me side imaging isn't what it's cracked up to be. Just my opinion though.
I've got a Humminbird 997 on the trolling motor and 998 on the console. They are both networked via an Interlink hub. I've got experience with Lowrance as well but the Humminbird was cheaper if you wanted side imaging. With Lowrance you needed to buy the seperate SI module. It was also significantly easier to use Humminbird. Picture clarity may be a little better for down imaging and side imaging with Lowrance but the difference is minor and only going to show with someone that really knows how to adjust and dial in the units (most people don't).
Not sure if you have ever been in the boat with someone that really knows how to use a SI unit well but I made a LOT of money in bass tournaments when I first got mine years ago. I was able to find and capitalize on a lot of things that just weren't on the commonly sold GPS chips that other people had to fish decades to find. The efficiency that you can break down a new piece of water with SI is amazing and there are several other uses as well. I have it both on the trolling motor and on the console and use it heavily from both spots.
Yeah I've fished with a buddy of mine who himself fishes in tourneys that has SI. It's not a must I don't think.
Well I ordered the Hummingbird. Looks like it is in stock and should be in today or tomorrow from the dealer.
