ziggity321

Thanks everyone for all the great input! I think that I'm going to go with the Garmin Echomap UHD's. I stopped by Scheels the other day and he really layed out the differences between the Helix's and Echomap's for me. With the Echomaps, you can connect them both via Bluetooth, so no need to run another cable. They have the ability to make your own maps with just a regular mini SD card, Humminbird you have to buy a $99 autochart card (no thanks). Echomaps seem to be a little more user friendly, they have the touchscreen, and they're on sale!

Just purchased this boat, 1977 Starcraft, 60 HP Mercury 2 stroke 3 cyl, 12V 55lb Minnkota Powerdrive V2 with CoPilot. Came with a dual purpose group 27 battery for outboard, 12V group 27 deep cycle for trolling motor. Got a really good price on this boat and have some $ left over in the budget to add some graphs. Really excited about this since my last boat was a 12' aluminum with a 6 HP motor, so this is a big step up for me. I'd like to put a graph on the bow and one at the console. I'm not interested in forward facing sonar at this point. I'd like to have SI at the console and DI at the bow, I'd also like to network them together, and have at least one with mapping capabilities. My budget is $1500 for 2 units. I've been looking at the 7" Garmin Echomap UHD's and Helix 7's, and I'm having a tough time deciding between the 2. My goal is to improve my understanding of electronics as one of the tools to catch more and better fish. I'd appreciate any input you fine folks might have for someone who fishes local club tournaments (I'm not gonna fish club tournaments in this boat, just practice for them, I usually fish as a co-angler).

Just purchased this boat, 1977 Starcraft, 60 HP Mercury 2 stroke 3 cyl, 12V 55lb Minnkota Powerdrive V2 with CoPilot. Came with a dual purpose group 27 battery for outboard, 12V group 27 deep cycle for trolling motor. Got a really good price on this boat and have some $ left over in the budget to add some graphs. Really excited about this since my last boat was a 12' aluminum with a 6 HP motor, so this is a big step up for me. I'd like to put a graph on the bow and one at the console. I'm not interested in forward facing sonar at this point. I'd like to have SI at the console and DI at the bow, I'd also like to network them together, and have at least one with mapping capabilities. My budget is $1500 for 2 units. I've been looking at the 7" Garmin Echomap UHD's and Helix 7's, and I'm having a tough time deciding between the 2. My goal is to improve my understanding of electronics as one of the tools to catch more and better fish. I'd appreciate any input you fine folks might have for someone who fishes local club tournaments (I'm not gonna fish club tournaments in this boat, just practice for them, I usually fish as a co-angler).