I have zero experience with sonar and I'm not very tech savvy. I'm wanting to sonar to help with crappie fishing and would like to keep it under $500. Are there specific make and models you can roccomend? Or at least brands to consider and also ones that are known to be problematic? Thank you.

Look on the trade post. sometimes good deals, kinda helps to know the value of used sonar, personally i would go hummingbird.Just a opinion but try to get largest screen you can afford, makes looking at details easier,also side imaging will really help finding those tasty crappieNow getting to bite {well!!!} Hope this helps. Also in the electronics forum lots of info. Good & hope that helps.

Will you be fishing known locations, or trying to find new brush piles? Once you have located brush or whatever you want to fish you can go much less than 500 with pretty much any brand. If you are needing to locate new spots I’d highly recommend side imaging as a feature, might have to buy used to stay in budget there

Thanks guys. And I will be trying to find new brush piles.

I am new to sonar too & was able to pick up a Lowrance Hook2 7 Tripleshot with the inland lake maps on sale at Academy a few months back for $300.
Being new to sonar I have nothing to compare it to, but I have been very happy with it, especially for the price; it has side imaging, down image, traditional 2d sonar, GPS & lake maps.
It is not the newest, latest & greatest for sure, but is well within your price range, especially if can find them on sale; it has been an absolute game changer for me

chaseh200 - if you are searching for brush piles, submerged timber, etc., you will want side and down imaging. Almost everyone will tell you - buy as much as your budget will allow. Size of screen and the density of the picture will help identify if your new found structure has fish on it. You might want a lake map, but isn't critical for your intended purpose. They aren't cheap and you might find used. I haven't used it but understand you can get a $15/year subscription to Navionics to use on your phone, which would require internet connection on the lake.

Another option to keep in mind. Many upgrade their electronics regularly and you might find a deal on a higher end unit.

I highly recommend the following approach:
Find some units that are in your price range that you are interested in. You can do this by looking online or going into stores like bass pro.
Use Youtube for demonstrations/reviews of some units you are interested in - there will be a lot of information there to help you decide and see features, how easy to use, screenshots, etc.
Also, look in the trade forum here and if you see something that is a little higher end, used and in your price range - repeat the Youtube research, check with the seller on condition, etc. You won't have warranty, but you might get a unit that has a little better function for your use

When you install it. Make sure you either have it done, or do some research here too. Isolation from interference, where to mount the transducer, wiring, etc. all matters in reducing noise on the display and how effective it is for you.

This sounds a little complicated, but following this will make you happier with the result.

I use Humminbirds but based on Tin Boat's response, found the next size up Hook2 9 is on sale @ Bass Pro for $499 and includes detailed maps for 3000 US lakes so you might not need a map card which would be an extra cost for you.
Hook2 9 at Bass Pro

chaseh200 - they may not have any in stock, which I didn't notice before posting the link to it. Apologies for that, but hopefully you get the idea. Look for what you want and then look for a deal.

I actually found mine on sale at Bass Pro also but they were out of stock, so called Academy & asked if they would match it and they did; you might try that as well.
If looking at the Hook2 units make sure you get the tripleshot transducer if you want side scan capability, it is fantastic