I want it to be waterproof have GPS possibly chirp with a 4 to 5" screen and user friendly and no more than $200 bucks

That Lowrance is not good, I know too many who bought them and dumped them. You can't add a map card to that unit either, so you are stuck with the map on it and no way to update.

Look at a Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G2. At $300 it is close to your budget, but you get a lot more for the extra $100. There isn't another unit that will do what this does for the price. Don't waste your money on a HB Piranha either, it is the same grade as the Hook-4.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/pr...oJn.oD13DYKqarw

I don't have this FF so cant comment
but it is within your budget... $349.98 minus (2) $75 rebate

You're asking for a lot for $200 or less. Cabelas has a refurbished Lowrance Elite-5 with CHIRP and GPS for $199. A new unit with CHIRP and GPS will cost at least $300.

Not a bad unit, but they are all discontinued. No new software updates. Humminbird has discontinued ALL previous models. The Piranha is their bottom of the line "almost useless at a great price" model and the Helix series is now their main model line.

Save money and buy the biggest fish finder you can afford. You won't regret it.

Yep, at $200 you will get what you pay for which won't be much in the way of bells and whistles!
Putting an expensive unit on a kayak is kind of like putting racing slicks on a Prius, but that's just my opinion.

I would recommend 7in+ screen with side imaging to cover more ground

Don't get discouraged... $200 will get you a lot more than Zero if your money is burning a hole in your pocket. For starting out, just having gps and downscan is well worth the money spent to me. My first unit was a Lowrance Elite 4 DSI (down scan imaging and gps) .. depending on where you mount the unit (I have mine in center hatch area) no problem with being able to see the smaller screens. Will I go bigger the next time, probably, but don't think it will help catch a lot more fish.

IMO, the FF you need depends a lot on how you want to fish and even what species and water bodies you fish.
If you're just beating the banks and mainly fishing shallow water I don't recommend spending the $ or going thru the hassle of a FF, just get a affordable GPS unit to fit your needs. Sonar and Down Imaging are not very useable in shallow water, IMO.
If you're wanting to get away from the high pressure shore lines and start fishing structure and cover, then I'd highly recommend a Side Image unit. They all have sonar and GPS and Side Image works great in shallow and deep water.
The new HB Helix units are hard to beat for the $, I know they are more than your budget.
If your budget isn't flexible, I'd consider looking for a used HB 798 with SI (older & discontinued) of even a newer Helix 5 with Side Image.
A lot of people buy the smaller size then upgrade to a bigger unit very soon.
The HB units are very user friendly.
Keep in mind if you do get a Side Image unit you'll have to mount your transducer with a clear view left and right, but it's well worth the extra effort and $, IMO.
GOOD LUCK!

What about something with GPS that is waterproof in case I flip in the surf. Something with a color readout. It's gonna be used for lakes and offshore.

If you've done your homework...practiced paddling out through the surf zone and back and practiced reentries in the surf zone in conditions much worse than you would ever want to fish, you'll know when to stay on shore. The surf is a fast teacher. If you have any doubts you might dump, don't go. Only when you have confidence your gear is not in danger should you take it out. I never had a fishfinder on kayak while offshore fishing but found that kayaks and salt water are a great way to shorten the lives of other electronics... hand held marine radios, handheld gps, and phones. Even if you never dump the salt exposure will eventually shorten their lifespans. A strong plastic bag over the fishfinder head unit and taped around wires with electrical tape should keep you in good shape going out and coming in through the surf. I would be more fearful of having fishfinder in case completely ripped off kayak.


A good practice day surf... seriously.

You can learn the hard way (best) or by listening to those that have made mistakes.

Looks like fun... Seriously!!