Hey guys,  I know there are a TON of threads on these. I have been trying to find a recent one that I could get an answer from but no luck.

I got roughly $500 to spend. I want something that will give me as much detail as possible on the bottom. Does not need to have GPS, I am really needing something that I can use to zero in on structure and get a good idea what is going on out there. I got a rough finder I use when at speed to help me get general depth and bottom characteristics and find clumps of baitfish, etc.

What I need is that thing to help me zero in once on the spot I know there are fish and to get a detailed look at what is down there.

Any recommendations that I could pick up at a BPS, Gander, WalMart, or West Marine (local stores) would be very much appreciated.

Resolution and color should be your two concerns.

At the $500 price point, I would suggest the Humminbird 778c.  640x640 resolution, 5" screen, color display.

Get a Lowrance HDS-5. It'll cost you $550 with the TM mounted puck but it's a much better image than the Humminbird. I own 2 Humminbird SI units and would rather have my HDS-5 for 2D trolling motor work. I bought mine from BPS but you can find one cheaper.