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I posted a similar questions last summer, but now I am really ready to buy. I'm comparing Garmin, Lowrance, and Humminbird GPS combo units. I want color, and a nice bright, easy to view screen. Any of you guys have any model that you really like or don't like. Want to stay below $600 (below $500 would be even better).

I like my Lowrance 28C-HD (last years model) but is a touch more than $600.00. You can get dang near the same thing now from Eagle pr Lowrance in your price range.
I haven't used or had a Garmin but they are really popular with most guys on the forum.

Garmin 440s....... period! Split screen option, color, tidal info anywhere you want, ship store info anywhere you want. I simply love mine.

What do you want to do with it? Inshore, combo units are fine, offshore I'd rather have 2 different machines.

captkeyser wrote:Split screen option, color, tidal info anywhere you want, ship store info anywhere you want. I simply love mine.

My Lowrance does the same thing but with a bigger screen.
I wanted to go with a Garmin but they didn't offer the screen size I wanted.

Tom Keels wrote:What do you want to do with it? Inshore, combo units are fine, offshore I'd rather have 2 different machines.

Inshore (maybe a little trolling a few miles offshore, but mostly flats fishing for reds and trout)

I used an Eagle 240 combo for about 3 years. Like Tom said its ok for inshore but offshore hunting a reef or ledge you would be better off with two different units. I upgraded to a Garmin 172 gps and 250 ff...

I once had to deal with Garmins customer service......after that, I vowed to never buy anything but garmin in the future. It's nice to know that some companys still believe in service AFTER the sale...GARMIN

Does anyone have a Humminbird? BassPro has a 597ci on sale for $499. It has better resolution and slightly larger screen than the Garmin 430s or 440s at a lower price.

I just saw in the new cabelas boating catalog Eagle FishElite 642c (internal gps) and 640c (external gps) units were on sale for 499.00 both were 640v by 480h. I just recently purchased a closeout Lowrance 522c unit that's only 480x480 for the same price. Eagle are made by Lowrance so I'm sure the quality is there just at a better price point. I'm new to the sonar aspect of the unit and still trying to tweak it, but I've been impressed so far.

I decided on a Humminbird 787c2i. I cannot wait to get it on the boat and try it out. Picked up a new vhf radio too.

georgiasportsman wrote:I decided on a Humminbird 787c2i. I cannot wait to get it on the boat and try it out. Picked up a new vhf radio too.

How did you like the Humminbird?

georgiasportsman wrote:I decided on a Humminbird 787c2i. I cannot wait to get it on the boat and try it out. Picked up a new vhf radio too.

I have that same unit and it has been trouble free for more than a year.

Good to know. Thanks.

I have the Hummingbird 383 and love it. Works great and under 400.00