Best fish finder/chart plotter for under $1000

[branhamautomotive]

I guess the first think to answer is do you need networking or not.......if not you can stay away from the super high end models cause you will be paying for a lot of things you don't need.

Stepping up to anything over 12" new will go over that tag. Do you want only touch screen, no touch screen

I'm only really familar with the lowrance/navco families you can get an has 9 gen 3 from like 1100 has both touch and button, but for most of us a lot of stuff we don't need.......the elite ti 9 is like 850 but if only full touch screen. The new hook 9 is 700 range. Looks a lot like the older hook models.......but get rid of the very huge almost 1" plug that requires a larger and 1" hoke to be drill through the boat then filled.

Then you need to figure out what you need from your tranducer, again you could pay a lot for things you don't need and won't use.

And they don't all perform the same.

https://youtu.be/klwhx0SndJQ

Here is video that explains a lot about sonar.......it is long, he does ramble a bit, but a lot of great info that most don't know all of it....I sure didnt....so grab a few drinks and plug in cause it is 2 hrs long

https://youtu.be/2Q9izOwp1aU

[freddie]

I'd suggest a Lowrance Elite TI or Hook, as Ben suggested. Being that you're in a big boat, and fishing Erie, I don't see the need for any sidescan. I have Sidescan/Structurescan on my boat and never use it on Erie. Maybe if I was up close and personal with the reefs I would use it more?
Even downscan imaging is not really necessary, not like we have a lot of submerged trees, etc.
Downscan seems to be standard on some of the nice Lowrance units - I will admit I'm partial to Lowrance since that's what most of my experience is with.

That being said, you could go with the Elite 7 TI with downscan for $700 LIST PRICE from Cabelas - I'm sure you can find it on sale somewhere. If you want a larger screen, you can go with the Elite 9 TI - and it might leave you with a little extra budget to pick up an enhanced map card for better charts.

Also, Ben mentioned networking - which it doesn't really sound like you will need so you could go with the Lowrance Hook series. Here's the Hook 9" screen with Navionics + map card, and downscan imaging, for $770 LIST price. Again, I'm sure you can shop around for a better deal but that would get you good functionality.
Lowrance Hook 9