Recommend me a depthfinder

[Buckrub]

Not buying tomorrow......but really interested in what you Pro's have to say on this. The technology has passed me by.

Seeing ABH's setup (10X more than I can afford!) told me that I'm in the dark ages with depthfinders, etc.

I hope Mama don't read this, but I "found" about $600 in stock options from an old job that are going to expire soon if I don't cash 'em in........and hope the stock doesn't drop, cause they've been worthless for years and the stock finally inched up enough to make some of them worthwhile.

I currently have a Lowrance 337C on the console. I have a Humminbird b/w unit on TM. Both have GPS, external. Entering coordinates in them is a chore.

Boat is a Lowe Stinger 195 crappie type model, with 115hp 4stroke Merc.

I don't know how much out of pocket I can add to the above $$$, but my criteria are:

1) Side imaging
2) Down Imaging
3) Internal GPS
4) EASE OF ENTERING GPS files, like the AGFC ones, or whatever I can find elsewhere.
5) Ease of installation (current console transducer cable is run up under gunwale, and is bolted on externally to transom)
6) Not going to be obsolete technology soon.........(I'm old, this may be my last console unit)
7) Can either be integrated with a new technology unit on TM later (or used on TM and new technology on console), not going to be out of date in a few years. For example, if I got an Onix or equivalent in 2-3 years, will this integrate?
8) I prefer Humminbird......have a Maxxum 70 now and would like a remote control TM someday...
9) Probably something I have not even thought of that you guys will clue me in. Some of the 'customer reviews' on some of these models leaves me less than enthused!! "Won't operate at high speeds", "Need expensive addon transducer", etc.

PM, email, post here, anything. I'm ALL EARS. I know so little about all this that you'll have to type REAL SLOWLY!

Thank you in advance.

Bill

[Cray]

With your budget here is a unit that will get you everything you want. Small screen may be a little hard to see in SI.
BBG Marine Electronics
This is a nice unit for the money. No SI but 2d and DI with GPS. Larger screen and I for one am not sold on the SI for where I fish most of the time. Either of these units should be network capable for awhile.
BBG Marine Electronics

[NIMROD]

A rock and .99 cent roll of twine.

[Cmj]

HB 898 would be a good unit for what you are wanting. You may be able to find a good used one for a couple hundred dollars more. The 798 would be closer to your price range, but the 5" screen is a little small for identifying fish on the si. Either one will link up to your HB on the tm. Lowrance has equivalent models but will not link with your other unit, and you will likely end up buying another unit later. As for the deal about your unit being outdated in a few months, well....that's gonna happen no mater what you buy. They are always "improving" on old technology, or adding some new feature that we just have to have; better resolution, extra slot for sd card. I bought my 798 two years ago and I am very happy with it. Sure, the small screen is a bit of a pain, but it helps me locate structure and fish, and links up with my 598 on the front, so it does the job for this poor boy!

[Buckrub]

Humminbird® 899ci HD SI Combo for $899??????????????????????????

Why is 899 less than the 898??? It seems on Humminbird's site that many of the "8's" are being discontinued. I don't see 898 on Humminbird's site, just for sale elsewhere. If they don't list it, why not?

[Buckrub]

A rock and .99 cent roll of twine.

Sorry man. I don't use cheap twine. Mine is polypropelene and glows in the dark, rolls up easily, and magnetically attracts fish!!! Much more expensive.

[RCC]

Humminbird® 899ci HD SI Combo for $899??????????????????????????

Why is 899 less than the 898??? It seems on Humminbird's site that many of the "8's" are being discontinued. I don't see 898 on Humminbird's site, just for sale elsewhere. If they don't list it, why not?

On the 899 they dropped the 800khz sonar frequency which to me is not a deal killer. I think the 899 has a faster processor, and also an internal gps. The x98 series is not manufactured anymore as far as I know.

[Buckrub]

I think I'm going to sell my body on the street and save up and just get an 1199.................or a 999.......or something. It appears all the ones I want are on backorder anyway, for months...........

Or get nothing, and keep catching same!!

Dadgum it, this is insane. A) I know so little about all this and B) everyone here knows 10X more than I do!!! Somehow I gotta find something if I want to see what's down there, though..........

Still cogitating all this............any input welcome. Thanks so far!!!

[wilbur]

Selling yourself on the street might get you and I said might, that 0.99 cents twine. Youll still need the rock.

[Buckrub]

Sigh.

In my heart I know you're right.