For around the $300-$700 range what would you recommend for fish finder. Down imaging? Side imaging? Dual? I have used the old 2d finders since I have had my boat and now I have the funds and looking to upgrade? What would you run for your cat fishing boat in that price range? Thanks for any input and information.

Trav

I have the hummingbird with side, down and 2d and I rarely use the down imaging, for that price range you can get a good 2d sonar but if you can save it and and keep adding to it you can get a nicer sonar that has side imaging, for catfishing it is a big plus, try to get as big as screen as you can afford, the only time I ever use down imaging is when I'm throwing for shad and I see a big pile on 2d I will quickly switch to down imaging just to make sure it's not a tree, after a while you can tell the difference between piles of baitfish and structure. Just my opinion and good luck on your search, I remember a couple of years ago when I was in the market for a new fish finder I was overwhelmed by models and choices, it can be exciting and confusing at the same time.

Go to cabelas in Allen there is a hds 7 gen two in the bargain cave for 800 bucks. Seems like a heck of a deal.

Walter

What would you recommend MJMetro? Spending a little more is not an issue. What would be a better option? I appreciate the info.

wburke2010, I just did a quick read about the HDS7. May have been the way I read it but, do you have to add side imaging? Like is it an add on to the basic HDS7?

I am the wrong guy to ask. Just saw it in the bargain cave. Not really sure on what you need or how they work...

Walter

SI is a must in my book. Look at the new HB Helix units.

I have the HDS 8 gen 1-
Side imaging is a separate unit with a separate transducer-

I see that you are in Keller and I am in Saginaw, shoot me a pm sometime and you can come over the house and we can put my depth finder on simulation mode and I can give you some tutorials on how each one works and I can tell you advantages or disadvantages, obviously my opinions because I'm no pro but I know the basics of the unit and thru trial and error I think I have it down pretty good. I know that dropping some serious coin on a depth finder is a big investment and you need to get something you will be happy with. I have a large unit but you will be able to get a good visual idea of what will fit your fishing style, plus you will get some opinions from a catfisherman, there are some good salesmen that know there stuff but when I was in the market I just felt at times they were trying to get me to spend as much money as I could or didn't take me serious at all, there is a guy that is on the forum named shut-up-and fish and he is highly recommended, I didn't go thru him but many others have so he could also be a good option for you as well, chad furgeson also has some good info on catfish edge (formerly named Learntocatchcatfish) and one of his articles breaks down depthfinders by budget and that is good info.

I will that up thank you. If your in Saginaw which Lake do you regularly fish? I'm out at grapevine most of the time. Before the great floods. lol

I fish lake worth and occasionally eagle mountain, looking forward to meeting you and having good catfish talk

I'll bring the beer.

I had a birthday party last weekend and the garage fridge is still full of it, so I got that covered too

If you can wait, I would definitely get a helix 7. Seems like it's definitely worth the money and it has all that you're looking for.

I have been satisfied with the Humminbird 688DI KVD I bought this year. The down imaging really shows me the neat stuff under the boat. Price was a tad over $500. The lake maps have really come in handy too, especially up on RayBob.