Alright the boat we just bought doesnt have the best electronic theyre garmins,which will help get the job done, but yea Garmin isnt too good at making fish finders. But any suggestions?We want a good one for the dash. Max price 7 to 800 dollars. MUST have GPS in it. Would like side or down imaging but i doubt ull get that for that price range but if you know of any thats great. the graph also must be colored i dont want a black and white graph lol. Thank ye very much 

The Lowrance HDS-5 is a fine unit in your range. I have one with the Lake Insight and really like it. Down scan and side imaging can be added later for ~$600 more. I haven't saved enough pennies to get the module yet...

The Lowrance HDS-5 is a fine unit in your range. I have one with the Lake Insight and really like it. Down scan and side imaging can be added later for ~$600 more. I haven't saved enough pennies to get the module yet...

That was the first unit I thought of while reading the OP.  Good unit with the ability to upgrade it at a later point as money allows.

Are you able to take it off half gps and graph mode?like can u make it so the whole screen is pretty much the graph?

Are you able to take it off half gps and graph mode?like can u make it so the whole screen is pretty much the graph?

Yes. If you can, I would recommend going to BPS, Cabelas, or another store where you can see them in the simulate mode, or you could drive over to my place and we'll go fishing...

You have great flexibility in screen setup. It is not a huge screen, but even in split mode it does a good job.

One of your other options is to wait a while for the new Lowrance units to get released for sale. If you don't need side imaging, you can get an HD down imaging only unit for around 650 bucks. Looking forward to that unit coming out for myself.  I think those come out early next year.

One of your other options is to wait a while for the new Lowrance units to get released for sale. If you don't need side imaging, you can get an HD down imaging only unit for around 650 bucks. Looking forward to that unit coming out for myself. I think those come out early next year.

Yea i thought about that.Humminbird has basically the same graph and its a little cheaper.It has better reviews too

I'm not sure how it can have better reviews...when the new Lowrance units haven't really been reviewed yet.  They were just shown at ICAST.  I believe they won best electronics with the new DSI units.

I looked at HB before buying Lowrance. For me Lowrance was the better choice. Buy what makes you happy.

One of your other options is to wait a while for the new Lowrance units to get released for sale. If you don't need side imaging, you can get an HD down imaging only unit for around 650 bucks. Looking forward to that unit coming out for myself. I think those come out early next year.

Yea i thought about that.Humminbird has basically the same graph and its a little cheaper.It has better reviews too

Product reviews are a crap shoot. You have no idea if the people actually know how to run the unit. I can't understand how a review can be out on a product that is not even on the market or has been distributed to their pro staff.

One of your other options is to wait a while for the new Lowrance units to get released for sale. If you don't need side imaging, you can get an HD down imaging only unit for around 650 bucks. Looking forward to that unit coming out for myself. I think those come out early next year.

Yea i thought about that.Humminbird has basically the same graph and its a little cheaper.It has better reviews too

Product reviews are a crap shoot. You have no idea if the people actually know how to run the unit. I can't understand how a review can be out on a product that is not even on the market or has been distributed to their pro staff.

Well humminbird and lowrance are the top in the industry so whichever one we get should be awesome 

I'm not sure how it can have better reviews...when the new Lowrance units haven't really been reviewed yet. They were just shown at ICAST. I believe they won best electronics with the new DSI units.

No lol i mean the hds 5 not the new series. A lot of people said lowrance has terrible customer service

I'm not sure how it can have better reviews...when the new Lowrance units haven't really been reviewed yet. They were just shown at ICAST. I believe they won best electronics with the new DSI units.

No lol i mean the hds 5 not the new series. A lot of people said lowrance has terrible customer service

I have read the stories about the terrible customer service, premature product release, and the impending demise of Lowrance. All I can say is my experience with Lowrance has been very different. I have called with questions several times and have talked to knowledgeable, friendly people each time that really seemed interested in answering my questions. I am very happy with my Lowrance units, and even happier with their customer service.

You asked for recommendations. For my my money Lowrance is the way to go. There are many HB users here. I expect some of them to be along soon. Good luck.

Don't you know?  On the internet, Humminbird and Lowrance both have absolutely horrible customer service.

Don't you know? On the internet, Humminbird and Lowrance both have absolutely horrible customer service.

Ha pretty much everything has bad customer service these days

I was watching a preview on some of the Lowrance units last night on WFN

Man those are nice

I called Lowrance two weeks ago. After I worked my way through the phone system i waited just under two minutes before someone picked up and was off the phone less than two minutes later with my questions answered.

Timing is the answer. Forget it on Monday morning and don't try right after they open or right after lunch. Cuts the wait time down.

SoFloBassAddict,

You mention Lowrance will be coming out with updated electronics and the DSI was introduced at ICAST.  Is there any information on the internet about (DSI) and/or the new electronics?  I just recently installed a HDS 5 and am seriously considering installing a HDS8 with side scan to both.  I wonder if I should hold off a bit until the new electronics are available.