Side imaging /Stucture scan. Which one on a budget.

[Bassjunky]

I am after a new sounder but would like one with side imaging or structure scan. I obviously dont want tospend a fortune but was wondering what prices do they start at and are lowrance the better pick? Thankyou

[yanjarra]

bias have the lowrance ss on special for $649 atm...i think its normally $799 or so-

[NormC]

Pretty much everyone has the SS box for $649 or so. Unfortunately, you need a sounder to go with it and the HDS 5 is the bottom of the range that has SS capability.

Humminbird is the only other unit I'm aware of with this capability and in the smaller units, they seem to be a bit cheaper than the Lowrance set up.

If budget is the issue, buying from the USA will save a bit, but the warranty will be from US as well.

I have just gone through this and after a long process, I've gone for the Lowrance HDS8 with SS. But that is well above the budget level.

Norm C

[leelee]

I am after a new sounder but would like one with side imaging or structure scan. I obviously dont want tospend a fortune but was wondering what prices do they start at and are lowrance the better pick? Thankyou

Really depends on what you budget is because that will dictate the size and quality of the unit. Realistically it is better to wait and save the extra dollars to buy a bigger screen but it depends if it is a reality. I have a HDS8 but had a HDS7 with LSS1 and it is great. HDS5 is good but the smaller screen is its downfall, but the quality of image is still good.

Basic price for a HDS5 is around $800 ish locally and the LSS1 is roughly around the same give or take as well. Depends how good your wheeling and dealing skills are.

My advice is save save and save and get the biggest unit you can afford. No point dropping a heap of coin on a unit only to realise 2 months down the track you should have waited and got the bigger unit, because the resale on the unit will not fetch the price you will want. Remember tax time is close so use the tax refund if you can to get a bigger unit.

I have just gone through this and after a long process, I've gone for the Lowrance HDS8 with SS. But that is well above the budget level.

Nice work. You will not be disappointed.

Cheers

Lee

[NormC]

You are partly to blame Lee. You were part of the process of me moving to the 'size does matter' camp. As always, I blew the budget, but did (I think) a reasonable deal on the set up. Pick up the new boat with HDS 8 fitted in about 2 weeks.

Norm C

[leelee]

You are partly to blame Lee. You were part of the process of me moving to the 'size does matter' camp. As always, I blew the budget, but did (I think) a reasonable deal on the set up. Pick up the new boat with HDS 8 fitted in about 2 weeks.

Norm C

Sorry about that

But the same logic works for boats, get the biggest hp for the hull so you get the best performance, so the same applies for electronics.

You won't be disappointed.

Cheers

Lee