Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'm hoping one of you smart people have already done the research for me and can provide a good recommendation. I've got a new toon and my first add-on is going to be a GPS/fish-finder. So here are some things things that are important to me.
- GPS, Fish Finder combo
- Good Chart coverage
- Color
- Down imaging
- Side imaging
- Big screen
- Flush mount
- Cost: Want a good value less than $700ish

I plan on using it primarily in the colorado river below lake mead, but I'm in the military so I want something that is flexible for both river and lake use and a varity of fish.

What would you recommend.

The hummingbird helix 5 SI is popular. I think that is what we have. It has everything on your list. $499 at most locations.

Thanks for the response. I spent an hour at basspro looking at them and have come to the same conclusion I think. The only thing I'm not happy about is that it doesn't come with a flush mount kit, and all I can find online is a sticky gasket for $50. I think I'll have to come up with my own flush mount solution for it.

With side imaging you will want a bigger screen, I have a 798ci si on my pontoon and while the side image is nice the details are hard to see with only a 5" screen. I've seen deals recently on the 899 unit for under 800$ which gives you a nicer 7" screen for viewing SI. Also the 899 is upgradeable to the HD-si Transducer and the Helix5 is not.

I had the 1198 on my Ranger 620, awesome and big screen. My Crest came with the 385 ci ? in the dash but I have to wear cheaters to see the details. My dash has a sun screen so I can only fit the Helix 5 but it is still much better than the 3 series for viewing. I agree for the side and down imaging , get the biggest screen you can fit/afford.

smoker62 wrote:My Crest came with the 385 ci ? in the dash but I have to wear cheaters to see the details.

I have that on mine too. Do you have BigDigits turned on, in the menu?

I can see the digits ok, just the navionics details and such.

I'm a Garmin fan and have the EchoMap series Combo unit. There are some specifics between the units which will give you better fish finding results.

We had a Humminbird 597 previously and just upgraded to a Humminbird 999CI HD SI. Single screen stuff was nice on the 597, but I couldn't imagine trying to view split-screen stuff with that small of a screen.

I have the Garmin EchoMap 70s and love it.

My Garmin 53dv suits my needs, but it does not have side view if you are set on that.

I just got my new boat and the Humminbird Helix 7.
I'm still learning/tuning the Helix 7. The GPS is more accurate than my old Lowrance unit.
The Helix 7 screen is bright... No problems viewing it in bright sunlight.

Since I am THE worst fisherman in the world, all that fish finding stuff is useless to me. I couldn't catch fish if they were jumpin in the damn boat. Therefore, as long as it's got a depth finder and a chart plotter for navigation, I'm good...lol
Seriously...I suck at fishing. However I am a damn good boat captain, air mattress floater, beer fetcher, paymaster, boat scrubber , anchor retriever, sunscreen applicator and sandwich maker. With all these talents , no wonder I suck at fishing..lol

I'll tell you one thing. My Humminbird 899 made me look like a professional fisherman this summer. My wife posted pics of the fish we caught at Rayburn and folks started wanting to hire me as a guide. Sheesh! I told them to get a Humminbird. An Ipilot and a good DI SI combo will make a landlubber a hero.

RcgTexas wrote:I'll tell you one thing. My Humminbird 899 made me look like a professional fisherman this summer. My wife posted pics of the fish we caught at Rayburn and folks started wanting to hire me as a guide. Sheesh! I told them to get a Humminbird. An Ipilot and a good DI SI combo will make a landlubber a hero.

Finding fish is easy. Getting them to eat your bait is the hard part