I'm looking to purchase a fish finder for my Autopilot 120 kayak, but I am very new to the electronics portion of fishing. My in-laws will be giving me a gift card to Cabela's, thus I limited my searching to that retailer.

 

Requirements:

7-9" screen - leaning towards a 9" screen.

Ability to add a second transducer for Live scope/imaging/etc < insert whatever the brand calls it >

Price can't be insane, ideally < $1500 with transducer for side/down scan. The options I found below are on sale, which helps, as I still need more camping gear. Mostly targeting Bass in NY (finger lakes / Lake Erie).

 

So far I found two options:

 

Lowrance HDS LIVE 9 Fish Finder/Chartplotter with transducer

$999

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/lowrance-hds-live-9-fish-finderchartplotter

 

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 94sv Fish Finder/Chartplotter Combo - Transducer

$699

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/garmin-echomap-uhd-94sv-fish-finderchartplotter-combo

 

My only experience was playing with the Garmin unit at a Bassmaster Elite Series event. I don't need the Live scope/imaging/etc this year, I need to learn the side/down scan first IMO.

 

Thoughts?

-Frank

1.  I don't know anything about that motor, so my first question would be whether any one brand will integrate with the motor.

2.  I switched from Lowrance to Garmin, but I don't strongly recommend one over the other. 

3.  That Garmin price sounds too good to be true.   Does that include a transducer?

4.  Does that yak have mounting place for sidescan transducer?  If so, will it work with any brand ducer?  Probably aftermarket options, but might affect overall initial cost.

11 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

1.  I don't know anything about that motor, so my first question would be whether any one brand will integrate with the motor.

2.  I switched from Lowrance to Garmin, but I don't strongly recommend one over the other. 

3.  That Garmin price sounds too good to be true.   Does that include a transducer?

4.  Does that yak have mounting place for sidescan transducer?  If so, will it work with any brand ducer?  Probably aftermarket options, but might affect overall initial cost.

 

1 - The "mini-ultrex" functionality is limited, it cannot pair with any unit. I didn't know that until after I purchased the yak.

2 - Good feedback, thank you

3 - yes, it included the transducer. Based on the part #010-02343-01 it should have the Ultra High-Def SideVü, ClearVü and Traditional CHIRP transducer.

4 - I am going to use an arm off the kayak for the transducer. It has a spot to mount underneath (not sure if that's good for both side and down scan?) but it's already a heavy yak and I don't want to risk damaging it.

that's way above my budget.  but I do think for me a 9" screen would be too big.  I have a 5" now and I do well.  I might upgrade to a 7" with sidescan, since I have been watching videos on how to read it.  I think I got it.

 

personally, I wanted room to climb back into the kayak should I flip it over or fall out.  a 9" would really get in my way.  I left a big wide opening on my deck I fit thru.  tested and proven.  plus with my tiny 5" (that sounded awfu1!) I can use a tiny battery.  I assume with a 9", you need a bigger more robust battery.

 

just a thought.

1 hour ago, nullbass said:

 

1 - The "mini-ultrex" functionality is limited, it cannot pair with any unit. I didn't know that until after I purchased the yak.

2 - Good feedback, thank you

3 - yes, it included the transducer. Based on the part #010-02343-01 it should have the Ultra High-Def SideVü, ClearVü and Traditional CHIRP transducer.

4 - I am going to use an arm off the kayak for the transducer. It has a spot to mount underneath (not sure if that's good for both side and down scan?) but it's already a heavy yak and I don't want to risk damaging it.

Good deal on the Garmin.  I just paid $1700 for a 9 and a 7, being installed on boat today, coincidentally.

 

I have a 7 on my kayak and that's fine for me, but I know plenty of guys who swear by a 9.

 

The arm will work great.  @J Franchomay offer some tips.

 

I don't recall what all went into my decision to switch to Garmin a few years ago, but I think it was largely for two reasons; more intuitive and a touchscreen.  Both reasons may no longer apply. 

   Now, I'm stuck in my ways and want to be able to have same maps and functionality across all units.

 

 

I have the ap120 with a helix 7.  My thoughts based on what you’re talking about. 
 

i would go 9”. I have the 7 and it’s fine. It’s great for using a single imaging at a time.  If I’m scanning for structure on side scan with just side scan on you get great clarity and overall image quality. If I split screen to add one or two other types there isn’t enough space to really work well. A 9” would be a huge difference.

 

i stand to fish so I’ve put my 7” on a double long arm so that it’s about thigh height when I stand up. If I were running live scope I would want it up there and not down on the floor.  The complication is that a 9” unit needs a heavier duty arm and mount setup. Factor that into your decisions. 
 

i use the standard mount for my transducer and it’s just fine. You need to flip the mount from the transducer upside down and it ticks right up. That said, ask on the autopilot fb group about the specific transducers.  Lots of guys will suggest the Navarre mount.  I wouldn’t bother with a sidearm for the transducer. Just mount it and be done.  It will be cleaner and once you get livescope you’ll want the livescope pole on the rail. 

 

The Garmin 94SV comes with coastal maps, you’ll want a 93SV if you want lake maps included.  https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/garmin-echomap-uhd-93sv-fishfinderchartplotter-combo

55 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

The Garmin 94SV comes with coastal maps, you’ll want a 93SV if you want lake maps included.  https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/garmin-echomap-uhd-93sv-fishfinderchartplotter-combo

Thanks - is the only difference between the two maps? The 93SV is out of stock.

 

Edit: I noticed the 93SV comes with the GT54 transducer from Cabelas while from Garmin it comes with the GT56. The Garmin rep. told me the GT56 is the one to get, it's suppose to be better.

 

Another option:

 

$999

Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder/Chartplotter Combo - Active Imaging 3N1

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lowrance-elite-fs-9-fish-finder-chartplotter-combo

 

I have to say, the way all the units are named/marketed/etc. is absurd.

 

It does look like the HDS Live on sale is better than the Elite...

 

Why does Cabela's include an older transducer when Garmin ships a newer one? Stuff like that is a shady way to save a few bucks and not tell the consumer.

13 minutes ago, nullbass said:

Thanks - is the only difference between the two maps? The 93SV is out of stock.

 

Edit: I noticed the 93SV comes with the GT54 transducer from Cabelas while from Garmin it comes with the GT56. The Garmin rep. told me the GT56 is the one to get, it's suppose to be better.

Yes maps is the only difference. I have the GT54 with mine and I get great images. The GT56 is slightly better but I’m not sure if it’s $400 better or not. There are a couple videos out comparing the 2. Google it and check them out.

4 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

Yes maps is the only difference. I have the GT54 with mine and I get great images. The GT56 is slightly better but I’m not sure if it’s $400 better or not. There are a couple videos out comparing the 2. Check them out 

 

Thanks!

I assume I would need to buy the lake maps to load via the SD card from Garmin? If so, happen to know the price on them? I'll start searching now, the $699 price tag is hard to beat, so we will see how much the maps are.

 

Edit: Maps seem to be $149.99

If I could change one thing about my sonar it is that it would be a 9" instead of a 7. Doesn't matter much for 2D or DI, but sidescan with any range on it fish are really small. 

Humminbird Helix 7 or 9 MSI.  Had two Lowrance units previously, and the Bird's Mega imaging is far superior.  Have a 7 on my SS127 and it works just fine for me even with split screens.  Good luck!

16 hours ago, drakesndrum said:

Humminbird Helix 7 or 9 MSI.  Had two Lowrance units previously, and the Bird's Mega imaging is far superior.  Have a 7 on my SS127 and it works just fine for me even with split screens.  Good luck!

I agree with that but the OP wants to add live imaging and humminbirds version isn’t good enough yet.