Thread: Upgrading to SI

Silverside
This isn’t Garmin related but if you’re venturing in the SI world, I would recommend the largest screen you’re comfortable paying for so it will be easier to identify structure and fish that are some distance from the boat. I had a smaller unit and couldn’t interpret the marks on the screen until I went with a larger screen. Just my .02 and good luck to you sir.

Tightlines

^^^^^^^^^^^what he said above^^^^^^^^

Bigger screen is DEFINITELY better for SI. I too started with a small screen, was amazed at the difference the bigger screen made in identifying stuff.

Thank you both. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for. So I gather that I wouldn't be happy with a 7" and would it be wasted money.

Bass Pro was selling the Garmin 93sv for $600.00, you can find them elsewhere for around the same price.

In my opinion, it wouldn't be wasted money as any SI is better than no SI. But a larger screen would be money well invested in the long run. And if the H7 has the stacked view option where you see the full right side of the returns at the top of the screen (boat icon at left side of screen) and the full left half of the returns on the bottom half of the screen (boat icon at right side of screen) it would be a pretty good tool. I know that view sounds confusing but once I got used to it, it really helps in making small marks visible. Were I to purchase a newer SI unit (and I am thinking about it!) I would be looking at 9" screen as a minimum. I have a 1st generation Helix 10 now for reference.

In my opinion the Garmin striker units are great. I bought one when I set up my new boat for crappie 5 years ago. Now I upgraded to a 93UHD. I used to tournament bass fish and ran the high end HDS Lowrance stuff. The Garmin striker SI, DI, and 2D sonar were way better. I didn’t have a striker plus so I’m not sure about the mapping but the sonar is great.

Originally Posted by silverside

Thank you both. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for. So I gather that I wouldn't be happy with a 7" and would it be wasted money.

Silverside,
I started with a 5” helix and was amazed but it was very hard to interpret the screen and what was being displayed. I pu a helix 10” and it changed my fishing world. If I didn’t have a couple of these now, I would get the new 15” helix. It is very difficult to see the white marks of crappie schools on a small screen when they’re 50’ off the side of the boat. It’s not a big sonar return mark to begin with so I would recommend going bigger. It’s easier to identify bass and stripers on the si screen since their sonar mark is twice as big. I cringed when I paid the money for a bigger screen but now, I wish I went even bigger. My eyes aren’t as good as they use to be when I was younger. Good luck and post some cool screen shots from whichever unit you decide on. You’ll be amazed as the stuff you see on the water.

I’ve got a Striker plus 9 SV . The images are clear and easy to use .