Upgrading my boats electronics

[410001661]

It's time to upgrade my boats electronics - I have a 16' Sylvan Explorer and it came with the basic X4 unit.......it works ok but I really like the new down imaging and side imaging units.

Any suggestions? I do not really have a budget planned but I figure it'll be $600-$700'ish. I have been looking around and I really like the new Hummingbird Helix 5 GPS with SI $529.00. I don't thing Lowrance has anything that can touch this unit out yet. What is with Garmin? They are priced so high.......who in their right mind would buy one?

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[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.

 

[UclueletCharters]

If you can swing it the Raymarine touch screens are sweet I bought one last year and love it. It so user friendly feels like using an Ipad. The other option if you have an ipad is the Plan 2 Nav App it's free and the charts are cheap an cover pretty much everywhere.