Minimum Electronics Requirements/Needs

[CiK]

I thought I wanted the “best I could get” when it comes to electronics when I finally make the plunge on a boat, but I might be having second thoughts on that thought process after seeing many posts about electronics and their benefits. To ease my mind, I am asking all of you. What is the minimum electronics setup (sonar, gps, side imaging, structure scan, etc, etc) you would recommend to a first time bass boat owner? Go big or go home?Tony

[dblplasabre]

My 2-797s will work great for you Tony.I guess it would depend on your preference of Mfg.I went the route of HB and am completely happy with my decision.Now that HB has improved on their technology, you will probably be happy with the newer 798sWould it be nice to have the larger screens? Probably.Is it worth the 2-3K more on a new order? Not sure.If you are financing get the bigger units installed you wont see it in the payment.DP

[Alpokeene]

It is really personal prefrence. The kind of fishing I do I can get by with just a good flasher with a temp guage. I do like having a GPS but I belive it is just a convience. They dont show any more than a good lake map. If you are a first time bass boat owner i think you should start off with the minimum. I think it can make you a better fisherman (learning to read lake maps, pay more attention to your surroundings, using visual land markers instead of waypoints) I believe if you start off with the basics then later upgrade to the convience stuff it will make you a better fisherman in the long run. Just my two cents.

[CiK]

dblplasabre wrote:My 2-797s will work great for you Tony.I knew you had me in mind when you got them…..

[CiK]

Alpokeene wrote:It is really personal prefrence. The kind of fishing I do I can get by with just a good flasher with a temp guage. I do like having a GPS but I belive it is just a convience. They dont show any more than a good lake map. If you are a first time bass boat owner i think you should start off with the minimum. I think it can make you a better fisherman (learning to read lake maps, pay more attention to your surroundings, using visual land markers instead of waypoints) I believe if you start off with the basics then later upgrade to the convience stuff it will make you a better fisherman in the long run. Just my two cents.Alpokeene,I agree with you, in a lot of ways. I have my mind made up on at least sonar and GPS though. Its the side imaging or structure scan that I am waffling on.Tony

[Flyswatter]

That is a tough question per your budget and boating endeavors.Its nice to have Side Imaging but its not mandatory. The most important features for my electronic needs is a good 2D unit with equally important to me GPS mapping (Mono or Color). Fishing to seasonal patterns and integrating your sonar for water temps should be more then enough.If you are extremely hard core and constantly out looking for that sweet spot then SI will have its merit. My queston is how many of us run to the same spot/honey hole that produces fish for our fishing convenience and pleasure. This is not an indictment but a observation on myself fishing out of the front of the boat and also being a co-angler fishing with savy fisherman.Just my thoughts. Good luck!Flyswatter

[PhilAddison]

No side imaging for first time boat buyer. Youll spend more time enjoying the boat and fishing and less time worrying about how to operate the sophisticated electronics. Just my opinion.

[Alpokeene]

I agree with Phil, just a basic unit is all you need, just concentrate on the fishing, I only use Garmin products on my boat so I would remomend them.

[Author]

Posts