I recently picked up my first "bass" boat, 1985 Skeeter Starfire 150 and am looking into another fish finder. I am only allowing $300 for this purchase but get really confused when comparing finders. Most of my fishing in shallow water near the banks.

 

1) I have a Piranhamax 170 that I used in my jon boat. I was thinking of putting this by the trolling motor and getting another one for the console. Thoughts? Would it be better to put the "nicer" unit up front?

 

2) How important is a GPS combo like the Hummingbird 581i? That seems to be in my price range but not too sure if it is losing something just to have GPS at that price point.

 

I have searched endlessley only to be even more confused. Thanks for any help in advance.

I personally believe that a GPS is almost a requirement these days. With a good map chip you can learn a great deal about the area you are trying to fish without actually driving over every square inch to see whats there. Color is nice, but not a necessity.

 

The 581 should be pretty good. The only thing you wont have is side imageing which is pretty sweet, but costs a ton.

 

Id put the new unit with GPS at the console, and the old one on the TM. Once your fishing, your first concern is depth, then cover. Having a GPS up front would be nice if you are fishing deep structure and need it to stay in position, but you can always throw out marker bouys.

 

Good Luck

 

G

I bought a used Low522gps for the bow and it has everything I need for the money.  $150 used with transducer, power cables and head.  Color, split screen, gps and networking .... is you use that sort of thing.  Good luck and let us know what you get.

Lowrance Elite 4. $299, color 2d sonor and gps. I have one on my aluminum boat and have been very happy with it.

I recently picked up my first "bass" boat, 1985 Skeeter Starfire 150 and am looking into another fish finder. I am only allowing $300 for this purchase but get really confused when comparing finders. Most of my fishing in shallow water near the banks.

 

1) I have a Piranhamax 170 that I used in my jon boat. I was thinking of putting this by the trolling motor and getting another one for the console. Thoughts? Would it be better to put the "nicer" unit up front?

 

2) How important is a GPS combo like the Hummingbird 581i? That seems to be in my price range but not too sure if it is losing something just to have GPS at that price point.

 

I have searched endlessley only to be even more confused. Thanks for any help in advance.

As TxGator said GPS these days is almost a must. Even just for safety of running, you can run a safe pass and then on the way back follow your tracks without worry of hitting anything. You can mark anything you find and come back to it at any point and time. The other thing that's important when you have a GPS is a color screen. It really helps to make the maps and waypoints pop as well as just all around being easier to read in the sun. 

 

On a side note, I've got a used Lowrance LMS 332 for sale. It's got a 5" color screen and it's also a GPS. It comes with the GPS puck, transducer, and all cords needed. The only reason I'm getting rid of it is because I upgraded to the new HDS 7 Gen2 Touch with side scan and down scan which ran me two grand. :/ It'd be within your price ranged. If you're interested send me a pm and I'll give you the rest of the details.