Imaging upgrade – what size screen?

This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 11 months ago by Caldwellj.

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July 13, 2011 at 8:33 pm #408018

rrepp
Participant

Ive got a 2006 Sabre, 150 Optimax, with the original Lowrance 125, both in the dash and up front. Im going to upgrade to structure scan, side imaging, gps, etc. I would like to get some opinions as to which way to go with the upgrade. Should I get a new 5″ screen that will fit in the dash, and another 5″ screen up front? Or should I go with a bigger screen which would have to be mounted outside the windshield, to my right, as Im driving the boat? And then stick with the 5″ upfront? or go a little bigger there too? Or just get a really big screen by the steering wheel, and just go with the one screen, being able to swivel the screen so I could see it when Im on the front of the boat? Let me know what youve gone with, and what you think. Thanks for the help!Bob

July 13, 2011 at 10:32 pm #408020

EliteRanger
Participant

i have a 05 classic i put a 5 hds in the dash to replace my 332 lowrance and i put the 8 up front, i didnt want to ram mout anything on my cat at console unfortunatley the classic and sabre have 5″ models on console. i have structure scant and the lwx antenna also ,and all networked. i think i made a good descion upgrading the unit up front you only have to drll a couple extra holes for the mount so it keeps your boat looking more original if you plan to resale or trade in

July 13, 2011 at 11:10 pm #408022

jpost
Participant

No doubt by me, go with the bigger screen on a RAM mount at the console. If youre going to get serious with the SI youll be kicking yourself with the smaller screen. And if its in your budget, Id go with the HDS 8 over the 7. If thats too much, a seven will be OK. In my opinion, si on a 5 inch screen is marginally useful at best.

July 13, 2011 at 11:37 pm #408024

BluePlate
Participant

I have the HB 1197 on the console and the 1157 up front and love them. I would get the bigger screens over the smaller ones, u will not be unhappy with your decision.Ron

July 14, 2011 at 2:49 am #408026

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I agree with the other posters, I have have used 5s, owned 7s and now have two 8s. They are by far the best of the three and worth the difference if money allows. If not buy one 8 and keep what you have until the budget allows for a second. You will always wonder what if, if you dont and unless you get a heck of a deal you wont come out at all when you decide to upgrade. Like you I was unsure which ones to get. Unlike you I did not ask for advice. I ordered two sevens when I bought my new cougar ftd (floor model). The dealer forgot to order one of them and I drove 450 m round trip to get my new boat and found out when I got there that they did not have one of them. With bcb help I got one upgrade to an 8 at no extra charge for my trouble. I drove home, used the 7 one time and it fried. Lawrance did not even hesitate to replace it and even suggested an upgrade to an 8 for half the difference. I got taken care of all the way around and really like the 8s.

July 14, 2011 at 2:53 am #408028

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

The theory on BCB keeping the 5″ screens on these models is that you control spending. Such as not spending $5000 on a $25,000 or $30,000 boat for electronics.

July 14, 2011 at 6:57 pm #408030

rrepp
Participant

Thanks for the replies. To BCB. The boat was actually 37,000 new, but I got it for 22,000 with 12 hours on it, in 2008. Ive no complaints about the original equipment, or the boat, as both have been bullet proof since I bought the boat. Its just with all of the advancements in electronics, I think its time for an upgrade, and I want to be sure Im picking the best upgrade when I purchase. However, even with these responses I still dont know which way to go!

July 14, 2011 at 7:07 pm #408032

mike dominick
Participant

If you are going to use the side imaging or structure scan I would get the HDS 7, Hbird 798 as a minimum. If you are just going to use the downimaging/downscan the 5 size is fine. Bigger is better, Im running an HDS 10 on a RAM mount at the console, a Hbird 788 in the dash and an HDS 7 on the pointy end. Last edited by mike dominick on July 14th, 2011, 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

July 14, 2011 at 10:41 pm #408035

jpost
Participant

As Mike said, IF youre going to use SI its a no brainer, a 5 will not do you well. For normal sonar and structure scan, the 5 will do.

July 14, 2011 at 10:55 pm #408038

Caldwellj
Participant

Go with the largest you can afford or are willing to afford. You can always move them to a newer boat if you upgrade.
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