I just got a new (to me) 17ft side console bass boat and am needing some help choosing eletronics.  I am on a tight budget would prefer to spend no more than $200 for something new or used.  I like being able to plot locations, seeing structure would be great but not a neccesary.  What have you used successfully?  I have seen eletronic post before but never a "budget eletronic" post so lets see who will step up!

If you want GPS/mapping and 2D sonar in that price range, you have limited choices and that would be a gray scale display and a small display size--technology has a price.

Pretty much any product produced by a major name brand mfg is a good choice--Lowrance, Humminbird, Raymarine, Garmin

 

You don't have to have used one to know its capabilities as compared to a higher price unit.

 

For a new unit, do you shopping at a marine electronics dealer instead of a big box general sporting goods place since they typically sell below MSRP and the big box stores do not unless there is a special sale going on.

 

The only current model that meets your requirements is the Lowrance Mark 4.

Add another $100 and you can get more choices in a dual technology unit.

 

I'll send you a PM with more details.

If you want to go "budget" you can always go the route of buying just a regular 2d sonar like a humminbird piranhamax for under $100 and then use your smart phone for the GPS....assuming you have a smart phone.  There are apps that you can use to record your locations and I know that you can buy maps of lakes for your phone as well.  I think if you are wanting a decent GPS unit you are going to need to spend more than $200 or you will be disappointed in the functionality and use. 

I agree using your phone would help you get a much better quality sonar. There is a lot of free fishing map apps out there. However, I have been to a couple lakes in Tennessee where there is no cell reception on the lake and if that is the case then this may not work for you.

I picked up a lowrance x4 pro on sale for $80 and I bought a used handheld delorme gps on ebay for $60 and it came with all the satellite images and charts for my area.

Also check craigslist and check it often. The good deals go fast.

Good luck.

For the $$ I have been really happy with my Lowrance Elite 4. It's $299 most places. If you don't need/want color sonar and/or GPS you can go down to the Elite 4x which is under $200.

Perhaps of interest...  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/elite-series-fish-finders.html