Paulywood

Welcome Darrel!

The Elite-7 does have NMEA2000.

The big thing that the Elite-7 does not have that the HDS series does is Ethernet. Ethernet give you the ability to expand on what you have with Radar, Structure Scan, CHIRP sonar, and Link several units together and share all the information.

So the big question is what are you going to do with it? Are you always going to have 1 unit and no desire to ever add Radar, Structure Scan, or CHIRP sonar? If that is the case then go with the Elite-7, if not then it will save you some money in the long run to bite the bullet and get an HDS.

Let me know which way your leaning and ill make sure you get the best price while supporting a board sponsor (Calumet Marine).

Sounds like this should help you out Jason. As long as you aren't adding on anything you can get the big screen and save some bucks. You can even get a first hand review from Jarrod since I know he'll have his boat in the water any day now.

Was playing with the Elite 7 today and saw the NMEA 2000 connect in the back. I have no plans of connecting anything else and happy so far.

Im trying to hook up Elite 7 to my new Uniden marine radio, NMEA 183 connect I believe. I cross referenced the 2 brochures however they don't match. Uniden says connect Lowrance's black wire to their green, there is no black wire:no:

Try again in the light tomorrow. Thought it would be great to have radio distress set in case ever needed.

Definitely a good idea if you can get it done Jarrod. That's on my list of things to do this year, too.

Welcome aboard Reid!

Welcome to GLF Adam! Right now any beach or pier can be holding fish. Browns, coho and steelhead should all be around one port or the other. The Grand River has a very good steelhead run in the spring that should be going good right now. There are also a lot of walleye planted up and down the Grand that brings fish, but make sure the season is open. I can't help you on white bass, never fished for them. There are smallmouth all over the Grand and other rivers. The Muskegon to the north is a very good river for all species and if you head farther north you hit some very good steelhead rivers like the PM, Big Man and others. Heading south the K-zoo and especially St. Joe have lots of fish and access areas. As summer heats up there should be plenty of opportunities to jump on board with some members and hit the big lake. With gas prices as high as they are people are always looking for someone to help split the costs of big lake fishing. Feel free to post in the Looking for a Ride/Rider section and I'm sure you'll get some takers. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Interesting article, I will be looking for the next installment.

Installed the Garmin 740s,hooked up the tr1 and the vhf200 and linked them all together.plan on calibrating this weekend out on the milwaukee ocean.I use my Ipad as my second GPS,as a secondary it works fine.So far,in the driveway, I am really liking this Garmin,easy to use like all other Garmin products I have used.Previously on my boats I have had Humminbird equipment,but I like the fact the 740 can hook up radar and weather in the future

Besides getting it for around $1000 one of the other reasons I went with it was the ability to add radar/weather in the future. My old GPS wouldn't talk to my radio or autopilot so this should be a huge upgrade and make my AP work even better. Brought the boat home today so I'm getting closer:) Just realized I kind of hijacked this thread. Sorry about that:( I can't help you with the HDS vs. Elite debate but hopefully the other guys who have purchased either one will help you out. Electronics are so expensive it's good to make a decision with the best information possible.

I ordered a Garmin 740s from Calumet Marine. It just shipped yesterday so I'll give a review when I get it installed. Picking up the boat today. I plan on using the GPS to connect to my autopilot but am keeping my old GPS to use for charts so I won't be splitting the screen much.

I use the Stinger Dive Bombs more than snap weights, they seem more effective to me. But same concept.

Yeah, we sometimes forget that salmon were planted to get rid of the alewives, which are now gone out of Lake Huron. More browns, steelies and Atlantics to go with the walleye and lakers would be a good fishery for sure. I found it interesting that the usage of launch areas on the Bay is impacted so much by the perch population. Hopefully the cisco rebound to help out the perch.

Looks like it doesn't, the website has a "What license do I need" search function. Here are the results:

License Option: Annual Fishing

Legal harvest: Legal game fish, except trout/salmon (requires purchase of Indiana trout/salmon stamp in addition the fishing license). See fishing regulations for more information

Price: $35.00

Additional Information:

License Option: 7-Day Fishing

Legal harvest: Legal game fish, except trout/salmon (requires Indiana trout/salmon stamp). See fishing regulations for more information

Price: $20.00

Additional Information:

License Option: One-day Fishing

Legal harvest: Legal game fish, including trout/salmon.

Price: $9.00

Additional Information:

License Option: Trout/Salmon Stamp

Legal harvest: Legal trout/salmon. See Fishing Guide

Price: $11.00

Additional Information:

To fish for trout/salmon, the trout/salmon stamp is required, in addition to a fishing license.

Records 1-4 of 4

Looks like 3 1-day licenses would be $4 cheaper. Or you can wait and buy one each day in case the weather is bad.

Hey guys, do you think if I sent mine to either one, that they would sew my seems up, the seems are starting to open up due to the threds are old and dry rotted, other wise the canvas is in good shape, the seem down the middle of the top, and the zippers are comming apart, I wish I could have a new one made, but here in the Poconos of PA. I can't find anyone who does such work, once I take it to Lake Ontario I will see if I can find someone to make me a new one, I will be in the Henderson Harbor area if someone knows anyone in that area that does that type of work, I will take it there. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks PAP

I know that Canvas Innovations resews seams, they advertised it at the show. Wouldn't hurt to give them a call, especially if the canvas is still good.

Canvas Innovations were at the Lakeshore show in Holland last wednesday and they seemed like decent guys. I have no idea on price or anything but I talked to them about making some custom dipsey/planer holders and they were willing to work with me on it, more than some other canvas people I talked to.

I'll give you a call later.

Welcome Jared.

Welcome Tim!

I had some Mike but sold them last week. Sorry.

When I went through this a few years back there was nothing but horror stories about Lowrance customer service so I went with Garmin. I was very happy with performance and customer service. Dropped my plotter of the boat onto the concrete drive on monday, had a new one at my house friday. No cost. Mine are quite old and I plan on replacing one of them this year with the new 740s from Calumet Marine. I already upgraded to the Airmar transducer so it is a plug and play installation. Lowrance may have fixed their issues but Garmin never had any and I don't see any reason to change. I have used Humminbird on others boats and found them easy to use. Either them or Raymarine would be my second choice. Really it's just personal preference and what features you want. I am sure all of them can get the job done. I would recommend talking to the guys at CM, they are very helpful. I think the 740s is on sale until the end of the month.

I placed an order with Karen friday, she was very helpful. I also picked up my spoons from the Angler's Avenue booth. Very good service from a couple of site sonsors.

Very nice!

Gary, I talked to Phil in Holland wednesday and he gave me the low-down on how to run yout meat rigs. It seems much simpler than the old meat heads I've tried to run. He also gave me one of the new ones you guys had at the show. I was thinking about adding a couple more, any color suggestions? I fish Holland & Muskegon mostly. I talked to Karen at the GR show and placed a big order so I'm hopin to add them on to that.

Thanks,

Nick

I put the Scotty stpos on last year and they slip all the time. Maybe I'll double them up this year.

Thats a good deal for anyone who needs riggers.

Frank, one of my friends is looking for a copper setup. Do you guys sell prespooled copper reels?

I was there today to pick up some spoons from Russell Gahegan. He has a big display set up if you need anything. Talked to Terry at the Wolverine Tackle booth. Stopped by the Fish-On booth to look at their arch display. Hoping one might be in the budget for next year. I really like how they flare out the ends of the rod holders so you don't have to deal with end caps. Swung by the Fish Hawk booth but it was crowded. Talked to Karen in the Big Weenie booth and placed an order with her. By then my arm was getting sore so I called it a day. First time I had ever been there and I thought it was a good show.