Fishfinder help for kayak

[chgambler]

I am about to buy my first kayak (perception pescador) and am wanting to equip it with a depth finder. I think I have narrowed it down to the Hummingbird PiranhaMax 197 DI or the Lowerance Elite 4x CHIRP. Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on which would be better or is it just a toss up? Or recommend a different one?

[XxthejuicexX]

I like Lowrance for 2-D Sonar. Get Color and the largest screen you can afford. I would pay the extra and get at least a 5" screen. Ask Tbona about the lowrance elite 5 I use on my Yak. I have the Elite 7 on my bass boat and love it. I might step up and put a 7 on my yak for this year.

[tennesseekeith]

I had the elite 4 hdi, the elite 7x hdi and hummingbird 899 on my kayak now. Love the side scan. It a game changer.

[jad2t]

I have a Hummingbird 561 Sonar. It does have a 5" screen but it's only black and white. I do plan to eventually get a new one with color and I'd recommend the same if you have the funds for it. It really is a difference maker being able to see color contrast when you spot a large group of fish. That can help determine if you're finding baitfish or predatory fish.

[TNtroller]

Any of the ones recommended will work, it all depends on the $$ budget and if you can see a 4" screen, which will depend on where its mounted. I have a Elite 4 gps/2d on my Ride 115 mounted on the slide bracket, so I can adjust the distance/position very easy. A bigger screen would be nice tho just 'cause I'm an old fart with bad eyesight. :p

[chgambler]

Thanks for the input. I would love to get a 5" or bigger but the price jumps a lot and I'm not sure I want to invest that much into that right now. Is there there much of a difference between 4" and 5"?

[jad2t]

Is there there much of a difference between 4" and 5"?

One inch.

[Halli]

"One inch."


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/Knhalli/drunk-smiley_zpsocerxkz8.jpg (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/Knhalli/media/drunk-smiley_zpsocerxkz8.jpg.html)

[MNfisher]

Ha!


Mike

[XxthejuicexX]

Despite it just being an inch, it makes much more of a difference than that. Here is the difference between the 5 and 7. I had a Humminbird 4" on my old yak, screen to me is just to small.

[browntrout]

One inch.


Where is the like button!!! Good one!!!

Roy

[Travis C.]

One inch.

Actually less....the Elite 4's are 4.3 inches :p

[chgambler]

Haha nice Jimmy.

Hey Juice why don't you just sell me your elite 5 so that you can upgrade your yak to the 7???

[tsuggs]

I like the color on my 4x elite, small screen works fine for me

[MPD816]

Gander mountain has a good deal on a lowrance 5x right now for $299 I believe. Good luck.

[Alphahawk]

Buy color.....buy the biggest screen you can afford...then spend some more until it hurts.



Regards

[XxthejuicexX]

Buy color.....buy the biggest screen you can afford...then spend some more until it hurts.



Regards



Words of wisdom. I had to fight the urge to buy side imaging for my kayak. The 299 for the elite 5 is not bad. If I did not need to replace all four batteries in my bass boat I would sell you my elite 5 and buy a new 7 chirp.

[jad2t]

I was hoping for someone to throw a "That's what she said" somehow to follow up my comment. I'll set this one on a tee for you...

That extra inch really makes all the difference!

[XxthejuicexX]

I was hoping for someone to throw a "That's what she said" somehow to follow up my comment. I'll set this one on a tee for you...

That extra inch really makes all the difference!


Family website, Stop! Plus what's the difference between 12" and 13" really?

[SAMBOLIE]

Family website, Stop! Plus what's the difference between 12" and 13" really?

Unless it is demonstrated you will never know.

[XxthejuicexX]

Unless it is demonstrated you will never know.

Yeah, still saving for the 12" HDS.

[TNtroller]

Does HDS stand for heavy duty stick ??:D

[XxthejuicexX]

Does HDS stand for heavy duty stick ??:D

No, High Dollar Setup

[tbona]

hey chgambler, that elite 5 that juice has is pretty sweet for sure. The level of detail and ability to see the fish react to presentation is really cool.

I currently have a humminbird 120 on mine. I was new to the fishfinder game as well, and it is a decent unit that doesn't require drilling etc, and can give good reading on depth and temp, plus shows fish and some structure. That being said I'd probably go with something like the elite 5 at this point, it's a pretty big difference in detail and information.