With being a graph newbie, and my $1200 limit to replace the Garmin, not sure which unit is the best to go with. I want to use Navionics as I got tired of relying on my iPhone app when I had a brand new Garmin but from my understanding, both HB and Lowrance use Navi so I should be covered there.
Helix 9
Hook 9
Elite 7 total scan

I haven't found myself NEEDING SI yet but then again, I'm a graph newbie so maybe I will down the road. Of course the draw of the Hook and Helix are the larger screens. The touch screen on the 7 isn't much of a draw as I deal with touchscreen technology daily at work and find that most of the time, that's one of the first features of a screen that begins to malfunction and or gets damaged easily. Maybe different components used in this industry, still just gun shy on the touch screen. (As I sit typing on an iPad that has never failed me)

Any pros/cons on these units guys would be greatly appreciated!

Adam

The hook series won't talk to each other if you ever get a 2nd unit. The Helix 9 and larger do. Check out EBay as some places list Hummingbird units cheap, got mine for $200 off, which payed for the map card

Helix IMO just got a helix 9 with DI, GPS and 2d for my bow

I have 2 Helix 9's and will take them over the HDS 2 units I swapped them with. Look up. Shut-Up-and-Fish in the classified section. David is a good dude and not far from you. You can't beat his prices and he will be there with great customer service. I would rather have that then buying off e-bay if it's an option. PM if you have any other ?'s about the helix's.

Can I ask why you are replacing the Garmin?

Which Garmin are you using?

If I were to replace it I would get the Helix 9, maybe the Lawrence elite TI 7

73sv....Mainly because of the mapping and for me, I just seem to like the Helix more. They were out of the Helix 9 when I was at BPS and these were on sale for $549.99 which is a steal for what you get- I just should have waited or drove to Dallas and grabbed at 9 instead of being drawn in by the price. But other than a persona preference against their mapping, the unit is crystal clear, fast and very user friendly.

Geese....$500 more for SI on the Helix 10, not sure if it is worth that big of s step up in price.

I went with the Hook 9 for the front of the boat. Going to be a while before I can get it setup. I liked the mapping/gps/boat position icon better in the SIM mode.

I run a Helix 12 and 10 and like them a lot, just upgraded from a 1197 and 958. One thing- I'd would DEFINITELY go with Lakemaster maps over Navionics. On a HB unit they are the only way to go. I use the Navionics app on my iPad but being able to use shallow water highlight and target depth highlights on Lakemaster is invaluable.

One other thing.. I have learned a ton about electronics from watching Doug's videos on Youtube. He has over 100 videos and they are awesome.

Here is one on Lakemaster mapping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYJ13FlAoEo

On the Helix 7 and up units, do any of them run both DI and 2D?

All Humminbird DI units have 2D

I got an Elite 7 HDI online from Cabelas for $299, refurb but warranty included, no side scan but has GPS charting and down image plus sonar and works with my nav card. I have an old broadview up front that works well enough for my side views. Haven't had a chance to try out the Elite yet....

That's what I thought but the Cabelas guy swore that wasn't so and when I left, I was all jacked up and confused. Thanks