Nate T

The helix is about the cheapest si unit you can get right now.  Not sure of the reliability of it due to how new it is.  If all you care about is DI and SI but not screen size, that is probably the way to go.  If you have a bit more money maybe a used 899 for something with a little larger screen.  Im not exactly sure but I think about the cheapest you can get with a new Lowrance with SI is around 1400.  I bought an elite 7 hdi with di due to being able to use insight genesis to make my own maps.  It all depends on how much money you are willing to part with and what you want to do.

Good luck.

Whatever you do read some owner reviews on whatever models you have in mind.

I enjoy taking pics of fish when I have a buddy with me, but usually will only take a pic of a bass bigger than 3lbs.  If I am musky fishing we will take pics of anything over 40" and walleye if it seems good.  

I picked up a legend tourny magnum cranker today (7'10 heavy mod.) pairing it with an e5 chronarch next pay cheque! honestly stoked, going to fill my deep diving crank/jerk bait aswell as a bama/umbrella rig rod!

You may want to look at an E7,  some of those big cranks like a bit more gear ratio and you would be limiting yourself as to what you can do with the lower ratio.

Big fan of st croix rods, but I have to say that I do not think that I would ever buy anything less than their Rage line again.  I have had some of their mojo and premier lines but once you have fished all day with an avid/rage or legend it is tough to go back to a heavier blank.  The mojos are a great starter rod, but if you fish all day the lighter rod will be much appreciated.

Also, I am a fan of Shimano Reels but not so much their rods. I currently use a mix of Revos/Daiwa tatulas/and a couple of the new curados.

I have a few rage rods and do really like their grips.  The slop and frog feels comfy but i have a 6'8" legend tournament I use for spinning baits and im not sure if it is the reel I have on it or what but it just feels awkward to cast.  I have had a couple shimano rods and they were ok, but nothing like the st croixs that I have.  I have currados and chronarchs that I use and the combo of the rod and reel, never feel like the fish is in control.

By the way, congrats on the sponsorship