Electronics upgrade - $700 budget - what would you do

[Javelin 180]

I think I would try to find some nice used units that's what I did about a year ago I got a 899 HD SI and a 859 HD DI and I'm well pleased with them for now maybe in the near future I would like to get 2 Helix 10 Mega's.

[wicklundrh]

Like everyone else has said, buy as big as you can get away with. That said, I would purchase one unit for the time being BUT, I would make sure that the unit I purchased would be capable of being networked later down the road. We always run across great deals when we are not looking. It is nice to have the ability to purchase another unit later that can plug and play with my current unit.

As for brands: that is a paper vs plastic, ford vs chevy, bass vs turds type of question (sorry, couldn't resist). The best advice has already been given, go to a big box store (not a small marina store) and look at all the different display models. Play with them, touch them, feel them. See what you can do with them WITHOUT looking at a book. Some will seem easy to you, others will seem hard. For me, I like menus. I like to be able to chose a menu and find what I want, so I stick with Lowrance units, others want simplicity and don't mind scrolling through a button to find the page they want, they choose Hummingbird. As I said, all our brains are wired different, easy to one is hard to another and vice versa.

One you find the potential unit you are looking for... DO NOT buy it from the big box store. That is unless they have this smoking hot deal that you cannot pass up. Instead, call Brian at BBG. Yes, BRIAN will actually answer the phone. Tell him what you want, what you are looking at, and what the price it. I'll bet his normal price is better. If not, he can usually beat it. Plus, I give my money to a company that I can call the owner at any time I want, he actually advertises Military discounts (you don't have to ask), and his prices are usually better without the need to ask what is the best he can do. Plus, I know where my money is going! The box stores I don't. Normally, you pay a little extra for that type of service. With Brian however, it is reverse. Look through all of crappie.com and you will find Thank you after thank you to BBG Marine and Brian!!! That speaks volumes.

If all else fails, simply call Brian and ask. Not only does he sell the stuff, he also knows the stuff. He will point you in the right direction without trying to make you pay for something that he doesn't think you need. See a theme here? I don't work for Brian or have any affiliation with him. I get nothing for promoting him. I've outfited 7 boats in the last 5 years (4 for myself alone) and have saved more than 15k doing it through Brian. His shipping is second to none, service second to none, and knowledge is second to none. The man called me back while he was sitting in the doctors office waiting for his son's knee surgury.

[ET Fish]

Like everyone else has said, buy as big as you can get away with. That said, I would purchase one unit for the time being BUT, I would make sure that the unit I purchased would be capable of being networked later down the road. We always run across great deals when we are not looking. It is nice to have the ability to purchase another unit later that can plug and play with my current unit.

As for brands: that is a paper vs plastic, ford vs chevy, bass vs turds type of question (sorry, couldn't resist). The best advice has already been given, go to a big box store (not a small marina store) and look at all the different display models. Play with them, touch them, feel them. See what you can do with them WITHOUT looking at a book. Some will seem easy to you, others will seem hard. For me, I like menus. I like to be able to chose a menu and find what I want, so I stick with Lowrance units, others want simplicity and don't mind scrolling through a button to find the page they want, they choose Hummingbird. As I said, all our brains are wired different, easy to one is hard to another and vice versa.

One you find the potential unit you are looking for... DO NOT buy it from the big box store. That is unless they have this smoking hot deal that you cannot pass up. Instead, call Brian at BBG. Yes, BRIAN will actually answer the phone. Tell him what you want, what you are looking at, and what the price it. I'll bet his normal price is better. If not, he can usually beat it. Plus, I give my money to a company that I can call the owner at any time I want, he actually advertises Military discounts (you don't have to ask), and his prices are usually better without the need to ask what is the best he can do. Plus, I know where my money is going! The box stores I don't. Normally, you pay a little extra for that type of service. With Brian however, it is reverse. Look through all of crappie.com and you will find Thank you after thank you to BBG Marine and Brian!!! That speaks volumes.

If all else fails, simply call Brian and ask. Not only does he sell the stuff, he also knows the stuff. He will point you in the right direction without trying to make you pay for something that he doesn't think you need. See a theme here? I don't work for Brian or have any affiliation with him. I get nothing for promoting him. I've outfited 7 boats in the last 5 years (4 for myself alone) and have saved more than 15k doing it through Brian. His shipping is second to none, service second to none, and knowledge is second to none. The man called me back while he was sitting in the doctors office waiting for his son's knee surgury.

Right there is your answer!

[skunked again]

Thank you all very much! I've called both Brian at bbg marine, and Troy at boe marine. Both answered my questions, with knowledge and honesty.

[micorps]

I would call brian and b&bmarine and tell him your budget and what you looking for. He can sell you a brand new unit in that budget.

[cwright]

I get everything from Brian as well. I usually go with one big unit and buy a new power cord, mount, and transducer for the trolling motor. I just unhook and move the big unit. Takes 2 minutes and I get to look at a big unit up front. If you put it on a ram mount it is even easier to move - one twist and the top ball comes off to move to front. If I was going with two I would put big SI on dash and only DI on the trolling motor. I know they are high, but I would go with at lease 9 inch on si. smaller is ok for the di.

[skunked again]

Cwright: getting one big unit, and extra stuff for other location has crossed my mind.
One thing I have decided, is to heed y'all's advice, and go with as big a screen as possible.
A trip to a big store to try them out sounds like a good idea, thank you!
All options are open at this point. I'm chomping at the bit, don't get me wrong! I'm watching the classified s on here daily. Getting a feel for what's out there, and the price, new and used. And which brands require what to make them fully functional.
I'm wondering though, this close to the holidays, about trying to hold out.

[Eagle 1]

I went the tilt trim path due to 99% of what I fish is marked during draw down on the big 4. The rest is beating the cypress on the tenn/tom waterway . That older 25 yamaha four stroke was a bear without t/t . lol . Will say that I bought a 5 inch helix " but" will be replacing with a 9 inch when the real sales kick in . Sold the 5 helix . more pixels (double ,I think) in the 9 . I am sure someone will chime in and tell us .