I am wondering what the best fish finder i could buy for 300-500 dollars. i will be buying two of whatever unit seems the best and mounting one in the console and the other on the trolling motor.  i do not necessarily need gps on the fish finder.

I got a humminbird 797 on clearance at gander mtn for $489 in january. Just keep your eyes peeled there are some good deals out there.

I got the HB 581i with internal GPS for $350 last week.

Honestly if I'm buying a Non side imaging unit. I'm buying a Lowrance or even a Eagle (same company) unit. I just like there display better or rather the way they display the bottom ect. Personally I'd go with a couple low price grey scale units and save for a side image unit. They are that good and believe me your going to want one after you fish a while.

ya i know how good a side image is, but im about to be going to college so i just cannot afford to dish out $1000+ for a single unit.

I understand and I don't know your set up either but a single unit with a swivel might work placed at the steering column. Also is your budget for 300-500 each or all together? I'd also want at least one unit that had GPS unless I had a hand held unit. Also don't rule out having two different models. Personally I like a set up there my better unit is close to me while steering and looking for structure. I also want that unit to have GPS so I can mark a spot. While the other unit up front will be used for reading water temp while running the trolling motor and fine tuning my position. Frankly for the most part a high res grayscale unit can do that for you nicely. So I'd look for a deal on a Lowarance HDS unit with GPS and then maybe a decent Eagle unit for the trolling motor mount.

i have a handheld gps, but i was looking at the hds-5x

i was also looking at the hds-5x and the hummingbird 778c DualBeam

With the HDS-5x, you will have GPS, dual beam, mapping capability, and can add the LSS-1 later for Structure Scan.

With the 788c, you will have a higher screen resolution, dual beam, and can add GPS later with no mapping capability.

Of those two, I would choose the HDS-5X

ok thanks for the help

I agree go with the HDS unit.