I am a die hard saltwater fisherman. Last year I picked up a hunting lease next to Rayburn. I have a 17ft Bayhawk center console and started going out in Rayburn and trying to learn the lake. I am putting in at San Augustine park. I quickly discovered the need to have a GPS/depth finder to locate and map bumps and humps, drop offs, and map some safe treeless boat lanes. I have done some research on the subject, but would like some input from others as to a decent unit to buy. I am looking for the best bang for the buck. I do not mind spending money for quality if justified. I am looking for something that is user friendly, color screen, probably about a 5-7 inch screen, something that I can log points of interest when I find a bump or drop off that seems interesting. I also would like something that will allow me to buy a chip that might show some "safe" boat lanes to travel. I know there are probably some of you out there that have used these devices long enough that you know what a fisherman needs and have some solid input. Just trying to learn some new fishing.

hds 7 lowrance with platinum navionics chip got boat lanes and road beds u can run

Yep, this would be a good start for you. This will also give you the capability for side imaging if you also got you a LSS box. Check eBay and the classifieds section on here. There are some good buys on used ones most of the time.

Yeah I agree on the HDS 7 or a Humminbird 898/899, both are 7" screens with great resolution and ease of use. I would definitely go with either the Navionics Platinum South or the Premium South chip for Rayburn. Another great option since you so fish other bodies of water may be the Nav+ chip as well where you can download your own areas and create a lake map that fits your needs. If you have any questions on the electronics or the mapping options feel free to shoot me a PM. I have a place at Rayburn and would be glad to show you the mapping chips in person if needed. You can also go to the Navionics WebAPP and see the mapping for the areas you fish before making a purchase. http://www.navionics.com/en/webapp

Lowrance Elite 7

Good bang for the buck....

the elite 7 with sonar, gps, and down image is a pretty good deal.

I have a HDS 10 gen 1 w/navionics platinum. My question is, how accurate are the boat lanes for rayburn.

They aren't accurate. Do not rely on them.

I have a lakemaster, when they still made them for lowrance. It seemed to be pretty good for the main runs but i would not trust any very much till you have made the runs. there is some nasty one out there in strange places.

Are you saying the Boat Lanes chip by Lance Vick is not very good?

If I get a chip for boat lanes, I still do not trust till I putt through them once. I am not too trusting with someone else's homework. I had a friend last year knock a hole in his lower unit at Rayburn....and he actually really knows the lake well. My early research had me looking at Garmin, Lowrance, and Hummingbird. I have not heard anyone give their opinion of Garmin. Just curious.

The Lance Vick boat lane waypoints for Sam Rayburn seem to be pretty good. They are talking about the boat lanes shown on some charts, like Navionics. From personal experience they are absolutely unreliable.

I owned one garmin unit for less than 2 weeks. Great GPS very poor everything else. The unit was new and was only a couple of years ago. Stick with Lowrance or Hummingbird and you will be happy.

Thank you Steve. Headed down to Raybun in a few days and about to download the boat lanes chip to go with my Platinum south chip. Will still be careful, but it will be nice having something to lead us.