What is the best bang for the buck? Have a 15' Jon Boat (console steering 15hp) that I am setting up for fishing - adding flooring, seats, storage under benches, bow mount trolling motor, etc. Will be using for river and small lake (East TX Lake Nac, Pinkston, etc.) bass fishing. Looking for semi affordable ($500-$600, def under a grand) simple to use Fish Finder/Chartplotter that will show boating lanes & can mark spots and save routes, and show depth, underwater structure, and fish. All the different types of Imaging - Down/Side/Mega/chirp etc. - are confusing to me. Not spending the $ for the Mega Live type imaging. What should I consider the must have features/components? Would like the biggest screen possible but seems like the bigger the screen the more features and cost increases significantly?

This one is on sale - good option?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/humminbird-helix-7-chirp-mega-si-gps-g3n-gps-fishfinder-chartplotter

I got two Garmin 93sv's a few months ago for $699. They go on sale regularly so keep an eye out for them. I switched to Garmin from Lowrance and have been very happy with the Garmin. I'm about to add a Livescope unit to it which is always an option with the Garmins.

I will say you want 9" screen minimum, especially if you plan to get anything of value from side images.

+1 for a Garmin chartplotter. I have a 93sv that has been nails for years. This 73sv would be perfect for a 15' jonboat. It comes preloaded with inland maps, a transducer and tilt/swivel mount. Plus its on sale for $500. GL!

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv Fishfinder with GT54 Transducer | SCHEELS.com

Saw that one - do you know if the Gen 3 have a SD Card slot? Have a buddy with tons of coordinates for the lakes we fish that I would like to be able to load in.

Sound like everybody is a Garmin fan - what are the advantages over Hummingbird (which is what my fishing buddies all run)?

Just don't go Lowrance. Haven't been a fan of mine.

Avoid lowrance as they are capable but difficult to use and terrible customer service. I run all garmin and they work great, are intuitive and have best customer service in the business.

I second the Garmin uhd 73sv. I have one. Sure the 9in screen would be nicer. But unlike the above post I feel like the 73 is sufficient for side imaging and down imaging in my 16' alumacraft. I can sure see structure like submerged ladders etc, fish, roads. Plenty good imo.

We offer all three as OEM equipment. We ship the boats with whatever the customers and dealers chose.... no bias.
We ship more boats with Humminbird...
I have to deal with the problems of all three.
I have the least problems with Humminbird. currently. 5 years ago it was Lowrance.
They all three have their strengths and weaknesses.
Garmin is popular due to their innovation of the livescope.
Humminbird is popular due to sidescan technology.
All three can add their " livescope" ability...
not just Garmin.
We sell more Lowrance in our saltwater products use..... can't give the reason for that.
I'm lucky that I have been able to personally use all three on my boats. I personally like Humminbird Helix series.... easy to use.

Just be sure to mount the transducer correctly. A lot of tilt in boat when loaded. The transducer must be level in the water. I used the coin technique which worked great. However before I got it leveled I was about to use the dang thing for target practice.

I think Sgrem was posting on 2cool about this the other day concerning which ones seem to have better map detail for saltwater vs. freshwater. Maybe he will be along shortly and refresh my old memory. After 10 hours of brush work yesterday I am trying to recall to breathe in and out today. LOL

Bass Pro and Cabelas have the Garmin 93sv on sale right now for $699

Was just looking at that today, looks like a he11 of a deal! What is the downside?

None that I know of. I bought two of the 93sv's last year at $699 and love them. One on the stern and one on the trolling motor. Way easier than the Lowrance I had before them.

Can't speak for the lower end ones but +1 for Garmin. I have 2 of the 12" echo maps and livescope and the are amazing. I'm going to buy a larger for the console soon and put the second one at the trolling motor. I've really gotten familiar with fishing with livescope and has changed bass fishing completely for me

I'll also add that with livescope the larger graphs are much better due to the higher resolution. I'd spend the extra money and do it right if you buy the transducer

I just ordered a Garmin Echomap 126sv and transducer for my bay boat, it's replacing an 8 year old 6" model. I hope it's a good choice.

Even my Hummindird loving buddies think that Garmin is a smoking deal for what you get….. Hope Bass Pro still has some in stock by this afternoon!

Can anyone suggest a mount for it that swivels? Plan to mount it on the top of the console but would like to also be able to swivel it around so I can see it from the Bow. Someone suggested this RAM Mount which looks like it might work but would entail loosening the knob every time and is a little pricey. https://a.co/d/b8KZjZt

Also the only good spot for a mount is in a kind of awkward place on top of the console puts steering wheel in the way. Taller mount would be nice but not sure it would be stable enough? And suggestions appreciated.

Pulled the trigger on the BassPro Garmin - super deal for a 9" with down & side scan etc. Etc. Came with free installation and a $50 gift card. Installed it today, can't wait to get it on the water.

Does anyone know of anyone that will install fish finder in Austin.
Looking for small shop not marine store.
Thanks

I have a Simrad, and I cannot ever imagine going back to anything else. We had a garmin on the boat before this one. But granted, I use the maps a ton more than any fishfinder feature in saltwater primarily less than 10 feet deep.

Humminbird has the best side imaging of the three.

Garmin LiveScope is the best forward facing sonar of the three.

Brunswick Corp. (Mercury Outboards etc.) now owns Navico Corp who owns Lowrance, Simrad, Motorguide, Relion, and Pro charger.