I'm so confused....

**1750outfiterss** · 02-22-2018, 02:12 PM

I have both Lowrance and Garmin. dont care 4 the lowrance mapping with Garmin You can make your own FREE and also share Free Have always used Lowrance HDS units But I am going to make a switch to all Garmin ( PANOPTIX BABY) coming soon to a boat near me!

**BG12** · 02-22-2018, 02:57 PM

I found the Helix mentioned above on sale at Amazon for $297.96 But in reading the reviews it appears to use it's mapping program you have to also buy additional cards....

The HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2 is also AutoChart Live capable. AutoChart Live uses GPS and 2D sonar information in order to allow you to map basically any body of water, revealing its most up to date depth contours. Keep in mind though, that this feature can only use LakeMaster and Navionics charts as support, thus you’ll need a LakeMaster or Navionics card chip in order to use it. Also, the unit is compatible with Zero Lines chips, which offer zero line contours for most bodies of water in the U.S. and Canada.

**Schins** · 02-22-2018, 06:17 PM

Isnt there like 8hrs storage on the unit before you have to buy the zero lines if you want more?

**scrat** · 02-22-2018, 07:31 PM

I would like to unconfused you on this one thing. Do not buy nothing with a screen size less than at least 7". The saying bigger is better is really true when buying a sonar unit whether it is any name brand or SI DI or 2D.

**sds888** · 02-22-2018, 07:39 PM

Yup thought I was ready to buy one for the bow until I read this thread. Here we go again looking again. Sometimes I should just listen to my wife. “Which one looks prettier”

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**marshrunner757** · 02-22-2018, 07:55 PM

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you have to have lakemaster in order to create your own contour maps. I haven't used this feature so not positive. I have the helix 5 Si and the helix 9 si mega and that's my understanding.

**Hanr3** · 02-22-2018, 08:22 PM

Correct, 8 hours of recording on the unit. After that you need a ZLC. You do not need a map chip to use Autochart. The unit comes preloaded with humminbird maps.

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**BG12** · 02-23-2018, 08:01 AM

The Garmin comes with enough memory to do 2 million acres. Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming if you have it. I may be seriously overthinking this. Anything is gonna be better than the cell phone sized Eagle Cuda 300 I have now....

**DHC** · 02-23-2018, 08:50 AM

I personally would do the Helix 5. It has the autochart capabilities, and even if you have to add a card later it’s not the end of the world.

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**skunked again** · 02-23-2018, 11:03 AM

I was debating something similar, Got caught up in the CV vs GT transducer debate. Wound up with a CV transducer, LOVE it. For the Lowrance video you referenced, and as already mentioned, its VERY one sided. When i watched it, their where no responses from lowrance when they where questioned, in the comments section. They deleted the video instead.
Get as big a screen as you can. Do you have a smart phone? Imagine trying to view SI, mapping, and DI on it. You will not see enough to matter, and you'll wind up straining your eyes to the point of needing glasses, or better ones.
Have you thought about used? You can get a bigger screen, more features.
The plus to quickdraw, on units with a microsd card slot, all you need is a store bought card. You do not need a $100 zero lines card. Go to the store of your choice.

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