Hello, I have narrowed it down to the Lowrance Hook 7 and Garmin Striker 7. I like the idea that for the same $500 Garmin will give you both SI and DI although I like the Lowrance installed mapping capability. I have read people saying that any saved sonar settings they make on the Garmin Striker are lost and have to be made all over again if the head unit is disconnected from the battery. Since my boat sits outside when not in use I usually take off the head unit. For all of you that happen to have this Garmin unit, Please tell me this is not so. I would hate to enter and setup the settings every time I am on the water. Any other recommendations in this price range would be appreciated. Thank You

I've got the echo map 73dv and or never had any problems with the unit saving my sonar settings or any other setting. I disconnect the head unit every time I leave the lake as well as my humming bird. I haven't heard of any problems with any garmin unit.

Thank you for your input. I too never had a problem with having to enter my sonar settings after I had removed my head unit and I had a Garmin gpsMap 498. I am trying to read all about the Lowrance Hook 7 and the Garmin Striker 7 SI. I went to Amazon and I read two different individuals that claimed to enter sonar settings every time they disconnected the unit.

Are there any sponsored dealers on this forum that sell fish sonars I would like to give them a first crack at my money lol

http://www.shut-up-and-fish.com/

http://www.shut-up-and-fish.com/

Lake Fork Electronics on Lake Fork has a soft open and does sell depth finders.