I'm just curious as to what depth finders you guys use. I have a lowrance hook 2 (because it was cheap) and I believe its giving me cheap results 😂 which ones do yall use and how accurate is it?

I recently purchased the Garman Striker Plus 4cv unit and I’ve had great results. The unit is under $200 and has a variety of options that fits my needs.

I use the Humminbird helix12 and love it! All about learning to read them. Even a top of the line unit will give you cheap results if you don’t know how to set it up and most importantly understand what a catfish looks like or whatever fish you’re targeting.

I got a Helix 12 mega and it has definitely helped me catch more fish over the past 3 yrs. i pilot link has become an incredible tool I use every trip as well. If you run side image a lot I would get the biggest screen you can afford regardless of brand. You loose a ton of pixels with smaller screens and eye strain can wear you out. Love the live scope technology that Garmin has now but I will probably hold off on upgrading mine until Humminbird has something comparable. Hopefully Humminbird will step up their game soon!

Of course we can't see what you're missing in the display. So, put up with me if I'm heading down the wrong path.
Getting the side-scan transducer aligned properly is super important. The info in my HDS Gen3 manual was no help--like they didn't describe how, or the importance of, leveling the transducer since the simpler sonar days. Much like you, I wasn't impressed with the pictures until I stopped and properly leveled the thing.
FYI, eyeballing it will not work and you can't adjust it on the water either. Once you've figured out how to level it, the lesson carries over to all side-scan transducers.

I have a Humminbird Helix 9 SI/DI. I went ahead and spent the money to have Slade put his tune up on it. I can see a booger in a catfish’s nose now. However, the kind of fishing I do 99% of the time doesn’t require me to use it to its full potential. Looking for white bass is where it helps me most.

Thanks for all the info guys! Much appreciated!

OP I have a Hook 2 5 and it's just OK. I will definitely spend more money next time and get one with side scan and WIFI. I like to prepare best I can days before I go out. I put waypoints in my Navionics app. With WIFI you can transfer those waypoints to your plotter. With the Hook series that's not an option and I have to use my phone a lot when I'm on the water which I don't like to do.

I also will move away from Lowrance. Their customer service is bad and the manual is vague. I'll likely go to Hummingbird.

Total scan 12

I would add it potentially depends too on what trolling motor you want. Minnkota belongs with Humminbird and Motorguide with Lowrance.

As others have said, Ipilot link (humminbird/minnkota) is awesome or whatever the other brands call it and worth thinking about getting. I am sure they both make great products though and would go look at the fish finders to make your choice but if you were a hardcore minnkota guy then that heavily influences your decision.

I have a HB 541 with gray scale that dose the job on finding fish at 20-25 or so feet. Located lots of crappie with it in the river. Then I got a Helix 10 SI. But kept the 541 cause I know it well.

I had a helix 9 si/di with a HD transducer and last nite somebody cut the wires on both and stole'em. Sorry SOB. So now I'm in the market for something. Trying to figute out if I should get another helix 9 or if there is something that just came out that might be better thats in that same price range, 1000-1500

Sorry to hear that! I hate a thief!!

I am also looking at a lowrance Elite Ti9-2 , not sure if it has side image or not. Side image is a must. How does it compare to a helix 9 ?

read reviews on lowrance ti9-2 and they say lots of problems. I'm about to settle on a helix 8 si for 1199 or a lowrance hds live 7 for 1150. Lowrance has a touch screen which I dont like . It would probably have shad juice all over it. Anybody have any experience with either one of these as far as screen quality and so forth