Been thinking about going to a gps/sonar unit, man there are so many different units out there its a big question in my mind. I don't want to push a lot of bottons and not have time to fish , any ideas on a simple unit for a fiest timmer. Also price is a big question, where to buy, new or used, I just need some advice from people who have knowledge with these units, I would lie a unit that takes maps of different lakes. as you can see, I need some imput. Help me if you can...Thank you ..Proppounder

On WC, I saw a post that Lowarnce is redoing all of their units for 09. Two ways to look at this. If you wait, you will be able to get new units and new technology. Also, if you wait, most places will start dumping the other units at good prices. Your choice.

in my opinion humminbird are alot easier to use than lowarance. look online outside of your state for pricing, no sales tax and usually free shipping. i have used jolly ann sales in iowa and have had great service.

Been thinking about going to a gps/sonar unit, man there are so many different units out there its a big question in my mind. I don't want to push a lot of bottons and not have time to fish , any ideas on a simple unit for a fiest timmer. Also price is a big question, where to buy, new or used, I just need some advice from people who have knowledge with these units, I would lie a unit that takes maps of different lakes. as you can see, I need some imput. Help me if you can...Thank you ..Proppounder

you are right, price is the big question.

Tell is what you are willing to spend and we can make suggestions accordingly

doesnt do much good to recommend units that are way out of your price range.

Basically you will want color unit. In your budget get the biggest one you can afford.

~ $500 to start then over $4,000 for a big screen with hard drive and several Navionic's & Lakemaster map chips.

They are like portable computers that the Quicker the processor and memory get these newer maps Quicker and Sonar features better.

I am not sponsored in any way by Lowrance but Consider the Lowrance 520C.
This full color unit will do anything you need to do has plenty of "power" on the sonar side to mark fish at any depth you will find walleye.

On the GPS side it has the same features as the big units you see on the Pros boat's but the screen is a smaller size. It also will accept the aftermarket "mapping chips" such as Navionics and Lakemasters. (Don't worry if you dont understand what a mapping chip is now all this gps lingo will make sense to you once you get into using these things)

I see it for $649 at Jolly Anne Marine (free shipping).
The world of GPS navigation probably seems pretty intimidating to you now if you have not used it.
You will find once you start that it really is quite simple.
This is a unit that wont break the bank but you will also not "out grow it" it in a few years and wish for somthing different once you have the GPS figured out.

Lowrance changes there models once every 2 years and 2009 there will be a change. If your patient the present units (including the 520C) will be showing up on sale.
Just my humble opinion.

Good luck