Buying a new Sonar/GPS unit---Before you buy
Purchasing a new electronics unit can be scary. Technology is constantly changing, and units are expensive, so making a good decision is important to get the right unit for your needs. Often times we see anglers that have bought a unit quickly without doing some research, have bought for price only or don’t understand what options and features are available and what each one does. Taking the time to do some research and ask some questions before you buy is an important step. Below are some questions you need to think about before purchasing your next Lowrance unit:
Am I looking for a single unit or adding a unit to an existing system
Will I be adding other units in the future
If using multiple units, do I want the units to “talk” to each other; if Yes what information do I want to share
Is sharing waypoints between units important
Do I want StructureScan? Do I want just DownScan or DownScan and SideScan
Do I want to add outside inputs? ie GPS antennas, engine monitoring, fuel levels, Motorguide Xi5 motor, satellite weather, stereo system, marine radio etc.
What type of water am I fishing in, how deep do I usually fish
Is the ability to customize the way my unit looks and the information I see important
How and where will I mount the units
How long is the technology I am buying been around? Am I at the end of the technology
Do I need a special transducer for my application and what units will accept it
Take the time to think about these questions before you buy, answer them honestly and then make a decision. Sometimes the correct decision will be to wait until more money is available so you can purchase the unit you need.
The TeachinFishin staff has written articles covering each of the questions above so you can understand what your options are at each step, why they may be important and how they can help you catch more fish. Slow down and take your time before purchasing a new Lowrance unit. Be honest in your assessment of what you need, do some research and buy the unit that is right for you.
If you need help with your sonar purchase, feel free to send us an email with your questions to teachinfishin@gmail.com
Be sure to check out www.TeachinFishin.com for information on how to catch more and bigger fish