What is the most bang for my buck as for as depth finder/gps system with ability to load maps of South Carolina lakes? I don't want to spend a fortune. I just purchased a 96 17ft nitro. So what would be a good addition with the gps?

You have opened a can of worms.  There is a post somewhere on this site that has an excellent discussion of various sonars and the good, the bad and the ugly of some of them.

I plan to visit Bass Pro Shop to replace my Hummingbird with a Lowrance for both the console and the trolling motor. I visited the Lowrance web site and listed a number of units and then culled them down to 5 options, all color monitors.

One of the guys in my bass club suggested the Lowrance units even though I have some reservations due to the bad publicity Lowrance received in the previous discussion.

I see this is your first post so welcome to the best place on the web for bass fishing.  The guys are just great and you will learn a lot by reading the posts and asking questions.  I know the guys will respond to your query so hold onto your hat.  The replies will be very interesting.

I would recomend looking at the Lowrance LMS 332C. You would also want the Hot Spots Elite map chip to use with them for your division.

Thanks, Will.

I had never heard of the Hot Spot chip and will ask about them.

Should they be on both units or just the console unit?

If you do go with Lowrance you will want the little chip. Go to the link below and you can check out the different regions and what lakes are all on it. You simply put it in your gps/depth finder and you can have a topographic map of that lake. This does not come with the unit. You can get Map Create, but I have heard it doesn't show the lakes contours and depth changes. It would be your choice if you want one or two, you will want one for driving and one up front would be great if you are fishing open water.

 

Hey I agree the 332c is a great unit. The color feature is really nice in the gps mode because it helps you keep eveything straight. The menus are pretty straight forward too. I haven't gotten any of the preloaded cards yet, but there may also be another type besides the Hot Spot one.

bassdocktor

It might help if you gave us a general budget you would like to stay within.  

You can get Map Create, but I have heard it doesn't show the lakes contours and depth changes.

You are correct sir.

I bought one and then realized this unfortunantly.   >

I have a Garmin 168.  Although the Lowrance units have more pixels, the Garmin is self contained.  You do not need to mount a receiver on your boat, it is built into the unit.  You can purchase the Mapsource CD software to download your geographic area.  Once you do this you will have the contours of some of the major lakes in your area.