Depthfinder/GPS Combos

I'm thinking about getting a depthfinder/gps combo.  Do any of you have recommendations of products to get/not get?  What about any with downloadable maps?

You might want to search through any recent threads you find here on the subject. Myself, I just ordered a brand new one, but it hasn't gotten here yet.
I bought the new Lowrance Mark 4 DSI sonar/GPS combo from Cabela's for $249. Grayscale display. Has DownScan imaging, which should be nice. Plus a waterproof micro SD slot for Navionics upgrades. Only 200 ft max depth, but I don't fish that deep, anyway.

That's supposed to be the "sale" price. reg price will be $299. Saw it in the new Spring Preview catalog. They are calling it a "Cabela's exclusive."  The color model goes for $349.

What's your budget and what are your requirements?  Color or B/W?  How are your eyes - larger screen or smaller okay? 

What's your budget and what are your requirements?  Color or B/W?  How are your eyes - larger screen or smaller okay?

I don't have a Mrs. to report to, so budget isn't too much of a concern. 

I am more concerned with easy to operate and quality.  B/W or color is fine.  Smaller screen probably would be better for my setup. 

I have a Eagle Cuda 350/s map and I like it just fine. It is easy to use and easy to see. If you click on the like you can download the manual for my unit and learn all about it.http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/Manuals/ The next link is an emulator for for the 240s/gps unit it is just like the 350 and you will be able to play with the function's on your computer. http://www.eaglenav.com/Downloads/Product-Emulators/ I know that there are others that have the same FF/GPS unit that I do so maybe they will chime in.

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I know that there are others that have the same FF/GPS unit that I do so maybe they will chime in.
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I just installed one on my Outback.  Works great - easy to use and see (just turned 50 and the eyes are changing ) Haven't explored the GPS feature yet but the ff works seamlessly.

I have used the lowrance hds10, but that was on my parker.  They do make smaller versions, and you have the side scan option if you want to give it a shot.  I found it pretty easy to use, and you are able to put navionics chips in it to increase you gps/ chartplotting capabilities.  They do come at a hefty price though.

Got a Humminbird 580c that's been doing the job. Pretty sure it's been discontinued by now but it's still tickin well after 5 years of salt use. Pretty accurate and no issues that I can remember. Most models will do the job it's really about the little details that each model does.

BTW do yourself a favor and get the Navionics maps.

BTW do yourself a favor and get the Navionics maps.

I've never used any kind of navionics map.  What exactly do they tell you?

BTW do yourself a favor and get the Navionics maps.

I've never used any kind of navionics map.  What exactly do they tell you?

Navionics will give you a bathymetric map laid over your current position.

I have a CUDA 350s/map and it works great.  The only thing I wish it has was removable memory so I could move way points between my computer and the fishfinder.  The new Lowrance Mark 4 series looks really nice too.  I think the non DSI version works down to 1000 ft.

I don't have a Mrs. to report to, so budget isn't too much of a concern. 

I am more concerned with easy to operate and quality.  B/W or color is fine.  Smaller screen probably would be better for my setup. 

I have a Humminbird 788ci which I love.  My personal requirements were DF/GPS combo, internal GPS antenna, large color screen, dual frequency, max depth 500+.  My model is discontinued and replaced with a high-def version, but other 700 series models will do the same job.  Don't forget the Humminbird outlet store which often has reconditioned units.

http://fishfinders.factoryoutletstore.com/

A note about the Navionics saltwater data - they use NOAA data which is freely available to the public.  They do add value with their GUI. 

I don't have a Mrs. to report to, so budget isn't too much of a concern. 

I am more concerned with easy to operate and quality.  B/W or color is fine.  Smaller screen probably would be better for my setup. 

I have a Humminbird 788ci which I love.  My personal requirements were DF/GPS combo, internal GPS antenna, large color screen, dual frequency, max depth 500+.  My model is discontinued and replaced with a high-def version, but other 700 series models will do the same job.  Don't forget the Humminbird outlet store which often has reconditioned units.

http://fishfinders.factoryoutletstore.com/

A note about the Navionics saltwater data - they use NOAA data which is freely available to the public.  They do add value with their GUI. 

I have really enjoyed my 597c combo unit ... Even drug it up to AK with me and glad I did. TSA gave me weird looks when carrying on the battery though =)

Thanks for the input.  Now I've got some research to do on which one I want