Looking for the best GPS/sonar (fishfinder, whatever you may call it) for under $500.  I have very little experience with these units and am currently using a Humminbird piranhamax 2xx portable unit.  Looking to upgrade to a unit with GPS, as I dont see a point in finding drop offs and structure if I can't mark it for later.

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated! ;D

Current unit I'm looking at is the Humminbird 383C

I just got a Lowrance LMS 522c IGPS color graph.  It retails for $625 but boy is it worth it.  Great detail on bottom structure and you can scroll over on the sonar screen  if you see some structure and then mark a waypoint directly on the structure you see on the screen.  

Here is the link to the unit on Lowrance's website.  You can download a simulator for free so you can see how the unit will work on your computer.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Marine/Full-Size-SonarGPS-Chartplotter-Combos/LMS-522C-iGPS/

My advice to you is sit tight for a while. Lowrance and HB will be coming out with new stuff in a couple of months, then there will be a lot of really good deals on near new units as guys have to have the newest toys.

Check the for sale sits here and at BassResource in the mid winter.

I for one may be selling at least one of my 520c units if the new stuff is less than $1000 and as good as predicted.

Thanks for all the input!

I was trying to find a b/w model from lowrance but couldn't during my brief search. Do they come in b/w?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=catfeatboat&id=0030617017385a&navCount=7&podId=0030617017385&parentId=cat603944&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=8IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

$50 rebate also.

I would recomend the humminbird matrix 12 system you can gaet it and the gps unit for $350 brand new through ebay. I've had mine for a year with no problems, and it is a synch to operate.

I'm actually looking for a unit with a biult in GPS as this will be goin on a kayak  

Right now, I'm looking at the lowrance 522c iGPS and the 527c iGPS but unsure if they dual beam tranducer is worth the extra money. Any suggestions?

I'm also looking at a few of the 5xx series Humminbirds but not sure which ones come with an internal GPS :-?

Thanks again guys, greatly appreciate the help.

None of the current Humminbird 500 series have and internal antenna.  The new models for next year will though.  

I'm sold.   Now to find a good deal....

I dont think you need the Dual beam unit.  Plus the LMS 522c IGPS is on sale at Cabelas right now.  Check out the link

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=Related_IPL_019023&id=0044762019021a&navCount=6&podId=0044762&parentId=&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=8IS&rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat602012&hasJS=true