acar555

With your emphasis on wider coverage under the boat the PiranhaMAX 240 is a good choice. It sees an area under the boat over 4 times greater than the 525 or the 535. The only other model that would be better is the 575 quadrabeam system, but it has a cost of $249 but has much higher resolution a 5 inch display and greater power while still having 90 degrees of underwater coverage.

The unitmap is a generic background map with 30 meter resolution. It will only show major highways and interstates and no contour depth lines for lakes. The Navionics cartograph will show detailed lake contour maps.

383c has Humminbirds Unimap in it. It is a generic background map only. If you want to have high detailed mapping capability and stay under $400 you will need to look at the 580. It isn't color but has a 5" display ,640x320 resolution and Navionics compatibility.

Here's a review http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocore.html

Most sonars have a single 20 dgree cone angle. 20 dgrees equal coverage equal to 1/3 of your current depth. For example in 15 feet of water you would be seeing a 5 ft circle under the boat. The are some models, especially Humminbird models, have a dualbeam transducer that has 20 and 60 degree cone angles. At 60 degrees the coverage is equal to your depth. Almost all have temperature in them as well.

The chips will not load automatically in Lowrance units. You need to select the maps from the Navionics Option, under map data.

The main advantages that the Humminbirds have over Lowrance right now are at the same price points Humminbird usually has higher resolution, more power and a dual beam transducer. All of these make the sonar better and are important features on the water. For example, compare the 787c2 to the Lms-520c. Both cost $649. The 520 is a 20 degree cone angle transducer, 2,400 watts power and resolution is 480x480. The 787c2 has 20 and 60 degree cone angles, 4,000 watts power and resoltuion of 640x480. You will find this comparison to be true at almost all price points.

You can swith the units from mount to mount, but the transducer for the 525 will only give you the 200khz frequency on the 565. If you want to just use the 565 get yourself a new mount, power cable and transducer. Would probably run you around $100 and move the 565 back and forth. The mount is around $30, power cable $10 and dual beam trans is about $65. Or you could get a 323 for under $180 that is a dual beam unit.

The Humminbird side imaging is no more difficult to use than any other sonar. It is already in it's second generation. If you ever have the chance to use one you will see. The simulation that runs on the unit in the stores does not do the unit enough justice. It is absolutely amazing.

I am pretty sure they are made by Nissan/Tohatsu

It's Humminbirds for me. They are putting out a better product than the competition right now. I run a 997c and console and a 787c2 on the trolling motor. Their products at the same price points of Lowrance offer more resolution, more power and dual beam transducers. They are much more user friendly and networkable. If you start using the side imaging units (997c) they will absolutely change the way you use electronics for fishing. If you are looking for the best, do your homework like I did and you will see why I went with Humminbird.

Not only with Shimano, but with any reel manufacturer, they wouldn't let a reel with a bent handle leave. It had to have happend in shipping to the store. Why didn't you try the reel out at the store. I can't think of a retailer that wouldn't let you do that, especially on a purchase of a more expensive model. Unless you ordered them online. If you got them all from the same place then find somewhere else to shop. The equipment is made well by all and the quality controls are in place, the problems is in the transportation to the store or you.

The lowrance unit has a lot better resoltion than the Garmin. Which is really important for seeing detail. Buy a Humminbird 565, it has higher resolution and power than both for $200. Unless color is your primary factor for selecting a unit, then the Garmin is a suitable choice for that reason only.

The 535 and 565 share similar features exexpt the 565 has higher resolution and dual beam sonar. Nice unit, probably the best at $200.

The Pflueger Summit is 7.4 or 8.4 ounces depending on the model you choose. Probably the lighest high speed (7.1:1) is the Revo Premier. Most others are light but not 7.1:1 on the gear ratio. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0049256122374a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=revo&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=revo&noImage=0

It doesn't really matter that you know what RMS means or not just get the highest you can afford. The RMS is measured in watts, the higher the number the better.

With the fish symbols turned on the unit easily confuses other things as fish. Turn the symbols off.

Humminbird will exchange your scimmer for a puck for free, just follow the transducer exchange information in your manual. No matter what style you go with both will perform the same.

Most sonars are capable of this, just make sure you get the most power and resolution. The higher rms power will make sure you can watch fish take your bait.

You can get it from Cabela's http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat21380&id=0017401015716a&navCount=2&podId=0017401&parentId=cat21380&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21380&hasJS=true

I would go with the Humminbird 565. The higer pixel count, power and dual cone angles are all big pluses for fishfinders. The color is nice though. They will run off of your marine battery. If you are looking at mounting it try one of these http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat21402&rid=&indexId=cat21402&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat21402&id=0000844 It will allow you to mount it on your boat without having to make any holes. You can put the transducer on the bottom of the trolling motor as well and mount the head unit somewhere on the boat.

I have had the same experience with G Loomis breaking. I have owned 2, a GLX and IMX and both broke. I didn't treat them any different than any other rod I have ever owned and they broke. I have never broken an other brand of rod while fishing weather it be any of my St. Croix or Heliums. I have noticed while looking at rods that the Loomis's don't have the guides placed on the spine. I don't know if this makes them more prone to breaking or not, but I don't use Loomis's anymore. There are too many better options at lower costs these days.

you can do it with a switch, but only 1 unit will work at a time

Before Johnson Outdoors purchased Humminbird a few years ago I would have agreed with you about Lowrance putting out a better product, but that is not the case anymore. Navico now owns Lowrance and their product quality isn't what it used to be. Just look at some of the other forums out there and see how many problems there are with Lowrance products the last 2 years. I have owned both and have had good luck with both, but Humminbird is making the better product now and if you do have a problem they at least answer the phone to take care of you. Check out a recent post on here about their service. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1187573670

Or only add $60 to your $140 and get a Humminbird 565 with twice the vertical pixels as the X96 and triple the coverage underwater.