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  #1  
Old 08-14-2012, 05:29 PM
Super Super is offline
 
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Default is GPS Fishfinder combo worth it?

I'm in the market for a fishfinder recently and was originally looking at the Garmin 421 but now am having second thoughts. It seems like the base camp maps that Garmin supplies are basically for the US users and is not much good in Canada. Does anyone have a GPS fishfinder combo and regret spending the extra money for the GPS option?
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  #2  
Old 08-14-2012, 05:35 PM
pikeslayer22 pikeslayer22 is offline
 
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Money well spent in my world marking things such as fishing spots, rock piles, shallow areas and the ability to troll back on saved tracks is great
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  #3  
Old 08-14-2012, 05:58 PM
pelada trochu
 
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If u r travelling waters u dont know and mostly navigating you may want a lake map. Buthaving ability to mark fish so u can come back helps alot. Just hitting the button each time a fish is on while trolling can help alot not to mention speed read outs.
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  #4  
Old 08-14-2012, 06:48 PM
Super Super is offline
 
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Any reccomendations on brands or models? Is Garmin 421 ok? I don't want spend more than 500
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  #5  
Old 08-14-2012, 08:41 PM
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Walleye101 Walleye101 is offline
 
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I just got the Humminbird 788 HD CI combo with the Navionics card. $1100 though. Can't wait to give her a go.
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  #6  
Old 08-15-2012, 07:00 AM
bellr77 bellr77 is offline
 
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Absolutly worth it to make holes etc, that said can't recommend one since I use one my dad bought almost 20 years ago. (1993)
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  #7  
Old 08-15-2012, 07:14 AM
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davegrant davegrant is offline
 
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Go with Lowrance or Humminbird with Navionics chip card. Garmin units have less power and
crappier resolution for same dollar. Lowrance Elite 4 and Humminbird 385 both under $500. Navionics card for Canada $175.
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  #8  
Old 08-15-2012, 08:10 AM
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EZM EZM is offline
 
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A good fish finder/GPS is the NUMBER ONE TOOL in my opinion.

Spend as much money as you can afford and buy the very best you can. Marking structure and waypoints, and the simple ability to mark off waypoints around a long drop off so you can troll the edge makes life easier and puts more fish on your line.

You can also add notes, date stamps (for seasonal use when chasing species like moving lakers etc...) are a big help.

If you can stomach $650 (fishing hole sale soon will make it closer to $500) buy something like a Lowrance HDS 5. As you save a few bucks you can add downscan,sidescan and other useful features.
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  #9  
Old 08-15-2012, 12:38 PM
Jiffy10 Jiffy10 is offline
 
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At a recent spring fishing show ... one of the reps. from a well known
company reminded me that these are depth finders with sonar.
They arent fish finders and wont find fish. haha... I thought that
was a great comment from a factory REP !!
Dont get me wrong.... side immaging etc. looks like alot of fun !!!
would love to have it ! its very pricy and I cant belive that you
have to buy cards/maps etc.

So keeping that in mind . Heres how i have figured it out. It works
for me and I'm sure it would work for you.

I have the cheap Lowrance system that came with the boat. Yup
the cheapest $139 unit / black and white etc.
It simply tells me how much water is under my boat.

I recently upgraded to an I phone and downloaded the Navionics App
for $19.99 and it works wonderful. All the lakes in Canada are on it
and the GPS works perfect. I can follow the depths an relate it back
to my Lowance and find the drop offs etc. I can also mark a track
and points of interest ( got a fish ) with simply pushing an icon on
my phone. I have found all the little humps and bumps , and drops that
are on the maps with these two systems together. if you download the lake
you are on and use the GPS then your not on the 3G network and racking
up usage charges. So it doesnt cost you any additional air time or
chew up your data plan.

The only issue that may bug some people ise size of the iphone screen.
Like any of the new phones I simply zoom in and out to the area I am in .
I could link it to another free standing screen but for now......
I love the system. And the maps/gps whole app was $19.99
Its a great bang for the buck .

Navionics is avail for both Iphone and androids

Pretty sure there are many Iphone and Android users with
fishing addictions .

check it out.....
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  #10  
Old 08-15-2012, 01:15 PM
Fort fisherman Fort fisherman is offline
 
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Location: Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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Have the same unit (hummingbird 788 cidi) but only paid around $750 at Bass Pro? plus map of course....
Love the unit.... it is amazing.... still think the fish finder is bogus but hey if you can find structure you can find fish
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  #11  
Old 08-15-2012, 02:57 PM
Jamie Black R/T's Avatar
Jamie Black R/T Jamie Black R/T is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fort fisherman View Post
still think the fish finder is bogus but hey if you can find structure you can find fish
that sonar of yours can 100% mark fish.

i thought the same way before i got into a real sonar unit.

I bought the cheaper 597ci and i can mark fish with it accurately and the GPS is a very valueble tool.
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  #12  
Old 08-15-2012, 03:26 PM
Fort fisherman Fort fisherman is offline
 
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Location: Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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We should go fishing some time and you can show me the magic! cause it beeps, no fish, its quiet... fish.... and as far as I have used it.... I cannot visually see anything when we are "in a good spot" as far as something I would say are fish sitting on the bottom!
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  #13  
Old 08-15-2012, 04:10 PM
Super Super is offline
 
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I think i'm now going with the Humminbird 587. Thanks for the help.
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  #14  
Old 08-15-2012, 08:55 PM
pikeslayer22 pikeslayer22 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Super View Post
I think i'm now going with the Humminbird 587. Thanks for the help.
That's one I have and the 588 is at candelas for 469 mine works good
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  #15  
Old 03-12-2019, 07:55 PM
johnsnowkornar johnsnowkornar is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZM View Post
A good fish finder/GPS is the NUMBER ONE TOOL in my opinion.

Spend as much money as you can afford and buy the very best you can. Marking structure and waypoints, and the simple ability to mark off waypoints around a long drop off so you can troll the edge makes life easier and puts more fish on your line.

You can also add notes, date stamps (for seasonal use when chasing species like moving lakers etc...) are a big help.

If you can stomach $650 (fishing hole sale soon will make it closer to $500) buy something like a Lowrance HDS 5. As you save a few bucks you can add downscan,sidescan and other useful features.
Have the same unit (hummingbird 788 cidi) but only paid around $750 at Bass Pro?
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  #16  
Old 03-13-2019, 11:22 PM
Wes_G Wes_G is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnsnowkornar View Post
Have the same unit (hummingbird 788 cidi) but only paid around $750 at Bass Pro?
This thread was 7 years ago!!
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  #17  
Old 03-14-2019, 09:19 AM
riden riden is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wes_G View Post
This thread was 7 years ago!!
Bwahahaha

I’m on my phone and didn’t notice.

No wonder I can’t find these models when I google!!
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