My birthday is on the 11th of this month and I am in need of a new fish finder. My mother is spending approx. $500 on me and I was considering asking her for a fish finder this year. Suggestions? Just looking for the best bang for my buck. I will be running it out of a Nitro 189 Sport in freshwater only.

If you could pitch in a couple bucks, this is what I'd recommend http://www.universalmania.com/humminbird-859ci-hd-gps-fishfinder-combo/

If you could pitch in a couple bucks, this is what I'd recommend http://www.universalmania.com/humminbird-859ci-hd-gps-fishfinder-combo/

Agree

What features are important to you? If I had $500, I'd probably opt for the Elite 5 HDI. 

 

http://www.basspro.com/Lowrance-Elite5-HDI-Fishfinder/Chartplotter-Combo-83/200-kHz-and-455/800-kHz/product/1306130856/

If you can find one, the Humminbird 598si would be a great unit. You can search for them on google. I found them around $565. They are discontinued this year. But still a great unit for the price.