Sideview Electronics

Recommendations for a side imaging electronic? Unfortunately I am only able to get out a limited amount of times during the year so I would not be looking at the most expensive options.

Side scan is great for pin pointing weed lines and scouting for timber or cribs.  You also see a lot of fish on it, you just have to figure out what species they are.  The best part is seeing something, dumping a waypoint onto it, then driving to the waypoint/what you saw for further investigation.  It's a game changer for me.

Got a Garmen 7SV. For the money rated as one of the best side views on the market! Can pick one up for about$400. Has GPS,speed and water temp ,but no active map view.All the technology went into sonar and side view clarity,can also make your own lake contour maps if you like ! Love it so far!Grandad You can also get one with mapping and preloaded lake maps for about $200 more!

Look for a used HDS Lowrance Locator. Lots of guys are upgrading now to the newer units but those still work good. 

The new Helix Mega Imaging is pretty sweet.  I really like my unit a lot.

I don't have it myself but a guy who fishes the west side of Green Bay swears by his. He thinks of it as his secret honey hole finder. I have yet to go out in his boat but he said there was a learning curve that held him back for a while. Now he swears it's his best weapon.