I’m looking at either a Hummingbird Helix 5 with both SI/DI and GPS, Lowrance Hook2 TS 5 with maps, or Lowrance Hook2 TS 7 with GPS plotter. 

 

Im stuck on which one... with all the new technology on our phones are the maps needed?? The GPS plotter don’t have maps but you can track your way points just off the white screen.. 

 

whos owns one one of these brands line up and/or familiar with them?

I have a Helix 5 and 7.  Mostly use the 5 on my kayak.  I got Lakemaster chips for mapping.  I think either would do fine for you, I just happen to be more familiar with Humminbird menus.

 

Link to Screenshot of Helix 5

 

Video of the same:

https://plan-b.smugmug.com/Family/Fishing-Journal/i-sS5w2Zg/A

 

 

You really can’t go wrong. Check out Garmin as well, I have 2 Garmin units and have been pretty pleased with them so far. 

Here's what I tell folks who ask: Ignore most of what people tell you; go to a store and play around with the display systems as though you were fishing.

 

Buy what makes the most sense to you.  Don't sweat a few $$$ one way or the other, you'll regret it later.

Further North gave you some good advice.  If you aren’t familiar with any brand check them out in person.  The control functions are a lot different from brand to brand.  I recently switched brands and am experiencing quite a learning curve.

I went with the Lowrance Hook2 TS 7 gps plotter... seemed easy to use. Once I learned which was the enter button lol. 

 

Plus us I get a $100 rebate on it.