Bassman37

I used one on my inflatable Sea Eagle 375 in the past and it worked fine. It is the 120 grayscale model and did a reasonable job for the money. The great thing about using it for your application is that it has six self contained AA batteries. I used Eneloop rechargeable batteries and they would be at about 50% after about three six hour outings before I charged them. I just recently upgraded to a Garmin EchoMap 7 series for my Portabote and I am still learning all that it has to offer. Hope this helps.

Nicely done!

Thanks for sharing...looking forward to your next update.

Just ordered one from Amazon to power my Garmin Echomap 73 SV for $20 delivered. Its 8 amps will power my fish finder all day. ExpertPower EXP1280 12V8AH Rechargeable Battery Sold by: Amazon.com LLC $19.99

Garmin® echoMAP™ 73sv Combo with LakeVü™ HD Regular Price: $999.99 Sale Price: $549.99 Qty:Item: IK-023866 Step 1: View All Restrictions That May Apply This item is available to ship FREE to a store for pick-up. Learn More Check In-Store Availability: Limited Stock at Hoffman Estates, IL Change Store Just checked my local store on the site and they show limited stock on hand.

Typically on the Cabela's site you check the drop-down box under state so as long as you're going to have it shipped you may try just another few States to see if it's available there. As long as you're going to have it shipped it shouldn't make any difference or you may want to call the 800 number and have them check it out throughout their system. Just my two cents worth.

I believe Cabela's still has it on their website at $549. The $849 units are the chirp model. Cabela's usually has free shipping at this price point. Good luck.

Very similar situation as I have a 10 foot Porta-bote with a 45# trolling motor and I fish mainly for largemouth and some crappie on smaller forest preserve lakes and a few larger lakes and with only a few exceptions most of them are not mapped. I had been using a Humminbird Fishin Buddy (bolt on single monochrome unit with a four inch screen) and wanted to upgrade to a larger color unit with side imaging and almost bought the Garmin Striker 7 SV at $500. After researching it a bit and talking extensively with the department head at my local BPS who really explained the benefits of side imaging in locating structure, I decided to go with the Garmin Echomap Combo 73 SV. It includes a US map package that covers only five lakes that I currently fish but Garmin now offers a free download update to their Quickdraw Contours mapping program which will allow me to create free maps on every lake and pond that I fish. With the included GPS, it will allow me to create way points for all structure which should hopefully help my future fishing efforts. This Echomap 73 is the non-chirp model that is being replaced by the the new upcoming chirp model and BPS and Cabela's has them at a $549 closeout price. I am extremely pleased with my purchase. Good luck with yours.

I finally decided to go ahead with the Garmin Echomap 73 SV Combo versus the Garmin Striker 7 SV based on the included maps and the free Quickdraw Contours self mapping of any lake or pond. I also liked the idea of having a Micro SD slot for future updates which the Striker does not have. Picked it up at BPS for $550 as it is being replaced by the same chirp model at $850. Thanks to the prior comments from Wayne P regarding him not seeing much difference between his chirp and non-chirp models I felt that it was money well spent for my needs.

Yeah...snow today and 60 degrees tomorrow. Go figure!

Well done Burtle 1 and Beardown 34! Maybe the secret is night fishing.

Thanks Scott, That makes sense that the coverage width would depend on the depth. Never thought of that. Good luck with your 73 SV.

As I am considering purchasing the Garmin Echomap 73 SV non chirp model ($549 closeout at BPS) which would be eligible for the Quickdraw Contours update, can anyone advise as to the process of creating maps on non-mapped lakes. I have watched a few online videos of the process, but it doesn't really show how far out it covers on each side of the boat. I am just wondering if it is 10 feet or 20 feet or what? Just looking for an approximate number from anyone that has used it. Thanks!

Si is side imaging and Di is down imaging.

Looks great and at 45# it should be easy to handle in and out.

Sweet! Good for you.

Glad to see your positive comments on the Garmin side view. Interesting to hear that the clarity is that defined at shallow depths.

Seems like this cold snap has slowed things down a bit around here. Lows are predicted below freezing for the next few days.

Just like any new electronics item I'm sure that it will take time to understand all the settings and variances. It sure sounds like it should be a winner!

Wow...they must be getting active down your way. Went out to my local ponds for a few hours Tuesday and today with no luck at all.

That;s quite a hot price...thanks for posting!

Your comments on the clarity are great to hear! I'll be very interested in your assessment of the side view also. Thanks.

Wsyne, Thanks for the detailed explanation as it is much appreciated!

Hi Wayne, How would you rate the Humminbird chirp vs their non-chirp models? Is there really that much of a difference in clarity (or would I notice it on a 7 inch screen)? From spending a good bit of time reading comments on this board and others, I have decided that for the type of fishing that I enjoy, mainly casting towards shore, side imaging/GPS is a must for me on a new fish finder. I mainly fish small forest preserve and state park lakes out of a 10 foot Porta-Bote with a 45# trolling motor and over the past four years I have been using a Humminbird Fishin Buddy 120 so this will obviously be a major upgrade for me that I want to get right. I have been going back and forth between the Garmin Striker 7 sv/GPS w/ Chirp and the Humminbird Helix 7 si/GPS combo as my budget is $700 tops. As you seem to be the Humminbird expert on this board, I would appreciate your thoughts and advice. Thanks in advance, Kevin

I was tempted myself but still too cool for me. Hopefully next week!