GPS Fish Finder with Mapping

[Hodgey1]

I want to begin the process of upgrading my existing Fish Finder/GPS, by learning and shopping. I currently have a Garmin SV7 with chirp "whatever that is" side scan and GPS, but no background maps. Everything about the unit I have, has been ok for the most part. The only complaint I've had is the ability to only show tracks by date, other than that, I like its functionality. The main reason I want to upgrade is to get the background maps of particularly Kiapwa and also I understand some newer units, will actually map the lake as you go and create a real time/very accurate map of the lake you are fishing. Pretty cool. Most of the use of the new unit will be for the two weeks a year I spend in Kipawa, plus the sporadic trips I make into Lake Erie.

I have been a Garmin user in my car for years with great results and why I might lean more towards that brand. I have loved Garmins, until I spent giant dollars on a water proof GPS for my motorcycle. It was over $500 US and what a piece of crap. Besides being water proof, I bought it for creating routes, nearly every time I do that it crashes and needs rebooted to find my route work gone...….  Oh and it has the ability to avoid dirt roads, guess what? It doesn't ! Sorry for the Garmin MC GPS rant.

I know brands are brands/Chevy-Ford, so I am game for other brands, but I do like the Garmin intuitive functionality of my current fish finder. Weigh in and let me know what your thoughts and experiences you have with your GPS/Map enabled Fish finders please.

[RHYBAK]

Hodgey!

Instead of looking to buy a new machine, all you might have to do it buy a navionics chip to put into you existing machine.
It should have that capability

[Ozzy30]

Looks like that unit has integrated GPS like the garmin I use on the front deck of my boat.  I am a huge fan of hummingbird units and they are really user friendly.  You are going to get all kinds of different opinions on this thread so your best option if figure out what options you want in the unit and head to a store like cabelas and play with the display models.  I will say the helix line 7 or 9 from hummingbird are easy to use and have unbelievable clarity.  Good luck and this should be a fun thread.  Is this your wife's birthday present then?

[Greg]

Hey Hodgey,

I went through a huge research and learning process in the spring and I ALMOST pulled the trigger, but held off (price, other costs, etc.)

I wanted to get a fully integrated Ipilot Link electric motor connected to a new helix 10 (at the console) with GPS, mega scan, side and down imaging and network it to another helix 10 at the bow and also network the motor (Evinrude 150 ETEC) with the "NEMA" cable to the Helix 10 at the console (to give you RPM, speed, temperature, # of hours, etc.).   Basically I wanted to network the 4 things together (both motors to both fish finders).   This bill was going to be around $11k (Canadian) and that included taxes and installation (as a special all in one package price) - with luck, I could sell (kijiji, etc.) my existing two fish finders and my current Minnkota electric motor and recover about $1200 of that.  During my research, I ended up being a little bit of a specialist with Humminbird products and how to tell the difference apart (generation 2 versus 3, networked versus stand alone, Mega scanning versus regular, down imaging - DI, side imaging - SI and GPS).  I learned an extensive amount from watching Youtube videos of what functionality is available on each product also.  I also learned when you do and do not need a networking hub - and what cables are required (based on what models you purchase).  It is not simple... it can be overwhelming sometimes you just want to turn away and think "I need a beer".

A friend of mine is a huge Lowrance supporter and he upgraded his equipment this spring, but it can not be connected to a Minnkota electric (...Lowrance is just coming out with their own electric motor product line which received great reviews and write ups at ICast this year - check out YouTube and google - I haven't heard if the Lowrance motor will be priced competitively compared to the Minnkota line or not).  Lowrance is making some HUGE performance improvement claims (battery life, power, quietness, etc.).  I usually go talk to my buddy if I want to learn more about Lowrance units.

There are SO MANY pros and cons to each brand, and even within Humminbird, there are the helix series and solix series (each of those has pros and cons also).  For example, for the Helix line, you need to BUY TWO Lakemaster chips to have the maps at the front and at the console and only Lakemaster chips work with the Ipilot Link Minnkota.  And as I fish both Ontario and Quebec locations, that means buying 4 different lake chips.  However, with Solix, you only need to buy 2 (one for each province and the units share the map card).  Also, Solix has a touch screen and it already includes the connections to allow you to connect directly to the Evinrude motors.

And then there is Garmin - which I know the least about, other than to say... everyone at the boat dealer 2km from my house asks if you won the lottery when you start talking about the high-end Garmin units... I would like to learn more for sure - but when a PanOptics transducer scanner cost $2k all alone (again Canadian) - it just turns me in another direction - if I win the lottery tomorrow, that might change however.

As Ozzy says, lots of different opinions on "which is best" - kind of like the old parking lot discussion of which pickup is better, Ford of Chevy.

My point to all this is to ask... why?  why do you want to upgrade?  what do you want to do different than what you do now?  What is your budget?  Have very clear answers to all these questions before you begin shopping...

If it is just to have some maps, then check out your model to see if it can accommodate a Navionics card (as Rhybak suggested - quickest and easiest and cheapest solution). 

If you want more... what do you want?  to network front and rear units?  to have significantly improved scanning (mega scan produces some incredible images)? to integrate it with an electric trolling motor?  to have your motor show it's operating information on the screen? (depends on how old your motor is) etc.

I learn something every week as part of the Humminbird Facebook group...  another great resource to learn and figure out what you are looking for.  I know there are Lowrance groups as well...

Let me know if you have any questions about what I just said or about Humminbird and I will try to point you in the right direction...  I love these discussions.

[Hodgey1]

@RHYBAK , the model I have has no ability to be upgraded. It currently has no map and none can be added. I wish it could, as it is fairly new and works great as a fish finder and way point and track mapper.

@Ozzy30 Thanks for the input. I’m not sure she deserves such a expensive gift  this will be another to me, from me 

@Greg you provided a pile of info. I just bought the upgrade to ipilot for my TM. I’m not looking for integration, as that’s all way, way out of my price range. I’m just wanting to have the background maps, to help me steer clear of danger while trolling for lakers. I went through this same general spot on the east side of Corbeau last week six times and no issues. the seventh time saw the depth rocket dramatically and snagged a gang troll. That also has me interested in the Quick draw capabilities of the Garmin.

As far as budget goes, I’m hoping to stay under $1k USD Boat = Bring On Another Grand 

[Greg]

Typing on my phone here...

You requirements (no networking and budget ceiling of $1k) make it fairly simple then (I think) - again focusing on what I know - Humminbird products - you can get a well equipped helix with a smaller screen (like a 7 inch) with GPS and down/side imaging and a generation 3 (more modern) (but not the mega imaging) - then buy the navionics top of the echelon (I think it is called platinum) -after installation and taxes - I checked tackle warehouse for US prices - and you will be around your budget.  Remeber - you do not need the "N" in the product code - this is for networking and adds lots of $$$.

I would recommend a RAM mount also - that's what I have mine on and it's great.  It is only about $50 or $60 and is easy to install.

If you want a bigger screen - you could consider going for a generation 2 helix 9 or 10....

Again options - just budget that $150 or $200 for the maps and if you can install it yourself then save the installation fees.

Hope this helped.

[RHYBAK]

You should not be in any rush at this point.
I would keep an eye on the Cabela's Bargain Barn in the next few months to see what goes on sale.
All models are equal.
Lowrance, Garmin, Hummingbird.

Another suggestion is to install your existing fishfinder onto the front of the boat .

[GregL]

I put 2 Helix 10 G2N's on my new boat with a 72" Ulterra.. it's a sweet set up.. I did want to hook my outboard up to the units as well because the fuel gauge in all my boats have sucked in the past.
Just before I was going to order the Hummingbird Nema gateway, a really nice fella on FB.. shipped me a Lowrance LMS-400 (i think that's the model and the Nema cabling for cost of shipping) I really just wanted the Tach, engine temp and fuel level. I purchased the Lowrance fuel manager and engine interface cable. Very easy to set up and I get very accurate fuel usage.

The auto chart is very cool, but I will tell you the charts that support all the Minnkota and hummingbird features have very inaccurate depth curves for Kipawa.

I run both graphs off my starting battery with no issues with low battery. I am getting some interference, so I when things settle down for me I will start that trouble shooting process, I just have had zero time this summer to tweak this set up.

[Jay Thomas]

Hi Hodgey1,

While surfing the net for guidance on purchasing new sonar plus GPS units, I came across a very informative web site. Take a look at http://fishfindersadvisor.com/buying-guide-for-gps-sonar-combos/

Jay

[Greg]

Great web site Jay!!

I am book marking this one for myself!

I think it is time for all of us Kipawa guys to consolidate all our reference links that come in various conversations so we can make one master list and maybe post it on the main page (sticky yellow)....

Greg

[Hodgey1]

My biggest need is for accurate background mapping, showing accurate depths and structure. The Garmin Striker Plus 7sv has built in Quick draw, that will map the lake as you troll. That might be the ticket for me and my lower end budget at $500 USD. Does not have background maps though  But creates its own. Anyone have experience with Garmin Quick Draw technology?

The STRIKER Plus 7sv fishfinder with a bright 7” display and built-in GPS features Garmin Quickdrawâ,,¢ Contours map drawing software, which stores up to 2 million acres of content with 1’ contours. Garmin CHIRP traditional sonar provides crystal-clear images with remarkable target separation. Get nearly photographic images of what passes below and beside your boat with CHIRP ClearVü and CHIRP SideVü scanning sonars. Use built-in Wi-Fi to pair with the ActiveCaptain app for smart notifications¹, access to Quickdraw Contours Community data and more.


Garmin Quickdraw Contours

Nobody knows the waters you fish better than you and your fellow fishermen. While you are trolling the shorelines and the depths, Quickdraw Contours mapping software creates HD fishing maps of the places you’ve been. No special knowledge is required. STRIKER Plus 7sv can now store up to 2 million acres of your Quickdraw Contours maps with 1’ contours.

[Ozzy30]

Sorry I do not, I only use my garmin unit for gps jigging locations and the clearvu imaging.

[Hodgey1]

I just found a nice Garmin GPS/Fishfinder on sale for $499.00 was $749.  Its has preloaded US maps of lakes...…... Not CAD

It brings up a new problem. Do I buy a unit with pre-loaded US lake maps or do I get the one with Canadian maps loaded? UGH! I kinda would like both, since I fish both.... Frickin-Chicken Technology. Looks like I would need one or the other purchased separately for another $149 USD.

Only money right?

[RHYBAK]

Hold out for a unit that has North America Mapping..... if it exists.

Or just buy this new unit as is and use the map drawing function to draw your own map of Kipawa

OR
buy the chip for Canada.

[Hodgey1]

Hold out for a unit that has North America Mapping..... if it exists.

Or just buy this new unit as is and use the map drawing function to draw your own map of Kipawa

OR
buy the chip for Canada.

@RHYBAK I know you have a Garmin. Do you ever mess with the Quick Draw/Self mapping feature?