The Elite 5 will show GPS speed out of the box, but you can add an optional paddle wheel speed sensor for your water speed. That option is not near as popular as it once was though.
DSI is a great tool to have as a compliment to a traditional sonar. I wouldn't recommend it as your primary unit though so if you choose Lowrance your going to have to choose DSI or traditional sonar because they don't come in 1 unit with the Elite series. Humminbird on the other hand has the 788ci HD DI, 597ci HD DI, or the 587ci HD DI that have both traditional sonar and Down Imaging. The reason why....
beaner wrote:
If you are using the fishing finder for "fish finding" no i wouldnt buy the down imagining, the regular finder works great, if you are looking for specific structures buy the down imagining.
Beaner hit the nail on the head
Both Lowrance and Humminbird have ice transducers which are about $100-125 or the full ice kit for $200 or so.
There isn't a huge difference between the 480 and 640, but the 640 is a shaper picture for sure. Does it make a difference though? Hard to say.
I would take a look at Humminbird if you want the Down Imaging and Lowrance if you don't care so much about it but want the included mapping.
_________________
Radioworld 4335 Steeles Ave W, Toronto, Ontario M3N 1V7 -
www.radioworld.caCheck out our blog at
www.blog.radioworld.ca