I recently bought my first boat. It is a '94 bass tracker with a 40 hp Evinrude on it. The depth finder is sun faded and you can barely see it when the thing actually turns on. Looking at picking up another depth finder and nothing fancy, but my buddy keeps pressuring me into getting something nicer. How many of you just use a simple depth finder?

Depends on your definition of "fancy electronics." If you're fishing on new lakes with any regularity a GPS unit is invaluable. Side imaging has changed things dramatically as well. There are a lot of people out there with 12" screens mounted to their boat that they really don't know how to use or take advantage of. Doesn't make them bad or good but if you aren't going to put in the time to learn how to use these units (from research, time on the water, hiring a guide, etc) and money is tight I would look else where.

I do not have side imaging, but I don't think I would ever own a boat without at least a 7" screen with GPS and good mapping

Pick up a used Gen 2 HDS-7 for $400 or so.

I am not sure they make a simple depth finder any more. LOL I would say it depends on what you want to use it for. I believe if you want to use it to just check depth them buy the cheapest you can. I think if you want to start fishing deeper water and find fish with the unit, or use it to check what is out to your side then look into a better unit. You can get by with a lot less then what most of us buy. I like the bigger units for their size and definition. I use mine more for finding deeper fish. just my .02

I wish I had side imaging or dwonscan or something fancy, but I only run standard graphs with gps. I have a Lowrance x35 at the bow and an Lowrance lms 332c at the console. I probably wouldn't know how to effectively read and use the fancy stuff anyway!!!

The DI side by side with 2D sonar will help teach you what they are showing you. They are a great tool. You will be able to see if its a bush or ball of bail real quick.

I will have to look into electronics. One of my pet peeves is to know how to use my equipment properly and to maximum capabilities. There are defiantly benefits to having good electronics on the boat. I just don't want to be over kill. There are ones out there with more capabilities then a swiss army knife.

I would suggest getting with someone that is very knowledgeable on fish finders and different brands. I do not know where you live but there is a guy at BPS in Rockwall that is very good and will take you out and teach you. Their is also a Guy on Fork that will do the same. I bring this up for this reason go out with them and see what theses graphs will do then buy the one with only the things you want. You can get some very good graphs in the 7" range for 700 dollar range and you can spent up to 5000,00 for some 15 inch graphs. LOL

I have all the bells and whistles,..3 fish finders etc..
but the other day I was actually using my 'flasher' in 10 feet of
water while trying to catch crappie. Pretty cool watching your jig
and where the fish are...kinda like ice fishing...LOL

I appreciate the heads up guys. There is a guy I know who does tournaments and uses some nice electronics. Might just have to tag along with him on a couple of days and see how he uses them.

You need to get three 12's at the console and 2 12's at the bow like that guy Rose has, L.O.L.

I could live with a simple 2d sonar and in fact use it the majority of the time. GPS is a pretty useful feature but I really would not want to give up my SI. If you need a ff on your boat to begins with then you will definitely benefit from other features

Vexilar makes a real time flasher

I use a flasher when I'm running, and a flasher when I drop the trolling motor

Is the flasher to ping for fish pretty much? Flashes when something swims by?