I need a new one.....I am tech challenged and I am not rich.
I would like a built in map of the gulf bays. There is so much out there and I am not computer savy. Handheld or mounted?
HHHEEEEELLLLPPP!

An idea of my thoughts....
Low5300c
Bird 785c2
Handheld ifinder h20

Mounted is best for the boat, IMHO. Bigger screen = easier to see with old eyes.

I had an Eagle FishElite 480 Sonar/GPS unit on my last boat. It's monochrome, but does the job really well and is SD card capable, which gives you access to lots of aftermarket maps. It's $360 at BPS, Cabela's, etc. 480x480 pixels gives pretty darn good screen detail. You may find it on sale or a used unit somewhere.

The Eagle 500c gives less screen definition but is color; it's $470 at BPS.

Humminbird 363 is another low-cost, monochrome unit for $300. Screen resolution is 320X240, however. The Humminbird 383 is the same unit with color for $400.

On the Skeeter I currently have is a Lowrance LMS-520c which I really like, but it's $650. Don't know if that's in your price range or out of it. 480x480 and the color is great.

If you go over 500 bucks the options offered on any unit increase, of course. But the Eagle FishElite 480 is really a cool unit.

I've always liked Lowrance/Eagle products. I've had 'Birds and Garmins in the past, but have always found my way back to Lowrance/Eagle for some reason or 'nuther.

The biggest advantage of the hand held is you can take it with you when fishing someones elses boat. Did not think of it before I bought it. I will always have a hand held for that reason alone.
Johnny

get one of the eagle seafinder units there color and around 500