Deciding on a fish finder?

[ChitownBasser]

So today I was at Bass Pro Shops, Bollingbrook, Illlinois today and I was in the marine section. I stopped to look at fish finders because I am in the market for one. Now on my amazon wish list I have this one (https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-00953-00-echo-200-Fishfinder/dp/B004D7JRA0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2YM8BB0QBA1Q1&colid=197IC0LJKYF6N) listed. After seeing it in person, I was not impressed. The Hummingbird models appeal to me more. Now this will be my first fish finder and I want one under the $200 dollar range.
Question: Is there really a big difference from the entry level fish finders(Hummingbird 150/170) and the mid level ones? GPS is not a need for me. I understand the difference screen sizes, color, ,GPS, number of beams determines price. But is there a difference in general?

 

[bcbouy]

single beams don't pick up bottom fish well if theres a lot of bottom structure or grass/mud and i found with my 150 it isn't great above 3 feet to the surface or high speeds which isn't good if you're running a river and watching your depth.get the dual if you can afford. i know i am very soon.the cheap ones are good for water temp and depth(as long as you're not going too fast) and mid level fish but they don't pick up the thermocline.

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

Just put my SI hummer on last week. The side imaging is really cool.

 

[spes]

What model hummer did you get Jonah?
The CFO gave me the go ahead to get a fishfinder/plotter.
I've been looking at the Hum 798Ci HD Si.
I was at a boat show yesterday and a vendor had the ci Si version (not HD)
It was $300 cheaper than the HD version.

MY question is it worth the more money for the HD?

thanks

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

I have the 798Ci SI (without HD). My understanding is that HD models have ethernet that allows you to share data between 2 humminbird units (like gps waypoints and such) and that is the only difference. Not worth an extra $300 if you ask me. I think that they purposely chose "HD" because most people would assume it meant High Definition. But you can look up the specs and see that both HD and non-HD units have the same resolution.

 

[Jay415]

I retracted my comment I was quoting incorrect info.

 

[WaterbedWarrior]

I have the 798Ci SI (without HD). My understanding is that HD models have ethernet that allows you to share data between 2 humminbird units (like gps waypoints and such) and that is the only difference. Not worth an extra $300 if you ask me. I think that they purposely chose "HD" because most people would assume it meant High Definition. But you can look up the specs and see that both HD and non-HD units have the same resolution.

Thanks River, you just helped me make the decision to pull the trigger on a sidescan fishfinder.
I checked the difference in the units and agreed with your assessment.
So I purchased the same unit HB 798ci SI (not HD).
Hoping the sidescan helps to pickout cover as I don't know many of the lakes up here in Northern Ohio very well yet.

 

[ChitownBasser]

Thanks for the info, fellas.

 

[shawnfish]

I have the 798Ci SI (without HD). My understanding is that HD models have ethernet that allows you to share data between 2 humminbird units (like gps waypoints and such) and that is the only difference. Not worth an extra $300 if you ask me. I think that they purposely chose "HD" because most people would assume it meant High Definition. But you can look up the specs and see that both HD and non-HD units have the same resolution.

100% true, both have the same amount of pixels and resolution.

 

[shawnfish]

I have the 798Ci SI (without HD). My understanding is that HD models have ethernet that allows you to share data between 2 humminbird units (like gps waypoints and such) and that is the only difference. Not worth an extra $300 if you ask me. I think that they purposely chose "HD" because most people would assume it meant High Definition. But you can look up the specs and see that both HD and non-HD units have the same resolution.

Thanks River, you just helped me make the decision to pull the trigger on a sidescan fishfinder.
I checked the difference in the units and agreed with your assessment.
So I purchased the same unit HB 798ci SI (not HD).
Hoping the sidescan helps to pickout cover as I don't know many of the lakes up here in Northern Ohio very well yet.

remember with SI you will get the best readings and clarity when your under about 6-7mph. and chop from waves will affect the picture and when you are using the SI you wan to stay on a straight path and not turn for best results.

 

[WaterbedWarrior]

Since I mainly fish electric only lakes, keeping the speed under 6mph shouldn't be too tough.
:wink:

 

[KevinWI]

I have the 798Ci SI (without HD). My understanding is that HD models have ethernet that allows you to share data between 2 humminbird units (like gps waypoints and such) and that is the only difference. Not worth an extra $300 if you ask me. I think that they purposely chose "HD" because most people would assume it meant High Definition. But you can look up the specs and see that both HD and non-HD units have the same resolution.

Not necessarily...the 500 units are stand alone units...no sharing. Mine is a 597ci HD di ....