Fish Finder Question

HOGTIDE · 04-01-2001, 06:17 AM

I pick up my new boat on Wednesday. I am now in the process of seeking out a fish finder...maybe two, forward and aft.
What would you suggest. I presently have a cheap Eagle 'bout a $179 unit and I'm actually rather pleased with it. I like a big screen and simple auto- operation features. Doesn't need to go to 10 million feet. Seems like my pals with fancy units spend all of their time trying to get a reading and then ask me what I'm seeing. How good of a unit can I get for under $300, these days ?

Bait O' Eggs · 04-01-2001, 07:02 AM

Hog, I wrestled with the same thing when I set up my boat. I decided on one good fish finder rather than a couple mediocre ones. I have 2 mounting brackets (one up front,one in the back).

I run off one tranducer. The tranducer wire goes to the front of the boat. I have a second extension wire that I can plug in that runs back to the back of the boat. I did have to get a second power cord which I ran to the back of the boat.

It is a slight pain to have to move the unit when I am trolling, but the price was more attractive than a second unit.

FishinBob · 04-01-2001, 07:24 AM

The $300 price tag might get you a different unit but not a much better one as long as the unit you have is not an antique. To step up your looking at $600 [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] There is the old rule that new boats will get you into new trouble I would suggest a digital mounted in the dash. Can pick a good one up for $125.

KarenLee · 04-01-2001, 08:13 AM

I would like to know which brands and models show the most accurate info. I overheard a salesman at fishermans the otehr day that none of the Hummingbird models will bick up a sturgeon on the bottom. I have a 400TX, and it reporst fish right on the bottom all the time. It shows temperature rifts and sometimes fish within the rift. I feel pretty confident it is working correctly. I never trust a reading when going over 15 MPH. I here a lot of people only using the finders to map the bottom. Any recommended Brands or models that do an outstanding job. What is a DIGITAL fish finder?

Jellyhead · 04-01-2001, 08:21 AM

For the money, I don't think you could go wrong with lowrance. An X-65 would probably be perfect. The new ones have a flasher mode in them that a lot of guys like for when running at speed. I have a X-85 in the bow of my boat and an x-65 at the helm. The X-85 is great for deep water (more than 20') but, when you get under 15 it is so powerful that it clutters up the screen w/noise.

One other thing about a lowrance unit, they are made by the same folks that make Eagle, The settings and controls should be the same as your unit now. That is the only complaint I have w/buying new electronic anything, Having to learn how to use it. BTW, how do you set the time ahead on a VCR???? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

boater · 04-01-2001, 08:35 AM

jellyhead, i have 2 X-85`s on my sled and fish alot in water under 15 feet and never have that problem, you may want to check your settings and tune it down alittle, also the outdoor emporium in seattle has the for 399.00, even lowrance is made in mexico, what has this country come too.

Fish Hunter · 04-01-2001, 10:21 AM

Hog, I ordered my boat so I would have the option of running the depth finder at the kicker or the helm, at first I tried moving the x-85 back and fourth but it was a pain, and I would keep it in the back. Really missed it up front for safety and exploring purposes so found a good deal on an x-65 at West Marine and installed it up front. I can swap them around later since they use the same pingers/speed/temp sensors. The resolution/pixel count between the two is like night and day and I love that x-85 in the back when I troll. It's pretty plug and play if you use the factory defaults, adjusts sensitivty itself. Still learning about it. Will play with it more as I do more anchor fishing. Will run the x-85 in front when looking for spots to anchor for salmon and sturgeon. Running them both at the same time won't work for long as there is cross talk between them. How long will it take for the manufacturures to sell a unit with a cheap remote display on a ribbon cable you could mount up front?
B.O.A.T. Bring On Another Thousand... ugg [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]
The bleeding will stop soon I hope.
Having a great time with it though. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

BillH · 04-01-2001, 10:41 AM

I'm running a "cheap Eagle" Strata View 128 with speed and water temp add on. I like it! My last big boat had another brand of a $700+ model that I never fully learned to use in the 6 years I had that boat. I've had other Eagles in the past and have had less trouble with them than any others. Since all fish finders lie a lot about the "fish" you are seeing, your main concern is reading the bottom configuration. My vote is for simplicity, reliability, and cooperation from the manufacturer if you do have a repair problem. I'd stick with your old Eagle if I were you.

LAYthe5 · 04-01-2001, 10:50 AM

Budget, Budget, Budget. If you want to find the fish dont skimp on the finder. These guys know what they are talking about. Peak power, high pixel count, and side finding capabilities are things to think about. 240x240 pixels is a good place to start, so you can tell the crap from the fish. Lowrance makes great finders, but the x-75 would be the lowest model I would buy. My next finder will be a bottom line wide screen with side finding technology. Also a variable transdeucer with different beam cone sizes will help for different depths.

Theres my two cents, hope it helps.

LAYthe5
[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

boater · 04-01-2001, 12:09 PM

the X-85 does not come with the speed and temp, also if you decide to get one, ask what degree cone comes with it, the difrent stores order difrent degree cones, i use the 20 deg. but some places order the 8 deg. just my .o5 cents worth(less) comments.

salmonquest · 04-01-2001, 05:50 PM

I have had both Lowerance and Eagle units. Both gave up the ghost after about 6 months. I got a Raytheon L-365. This has been about three years never had a problem. Something about NAVY defense contractors using the technoligy. I think. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Killertraylor · 04-01-2001, 07:05 PM

I have a Lowrance X-85 and can't say enough good things about it (after I re-mounted the transducer so it would work under speed) It accurately reads depth at 50 mph+ and the screen is beautiful - great detail! I think I saw that Cabelas has a Lowrance made just for them that doesn't have the 3000 watts of power of the X-85 but it has the same 240x240 pixel high resolution screen for around $300. My X-85 with speed and temp was $450. I had a Seaview 600 on my old boat - it worked fine for about $175 but I love the X-85. It's really easy to learn to use in my opinion.

HOGTIDE · 04-01-2001, 11:02 PM

Thanks for the good info. guys. Do most mid-range models include speed and temp. ?

FH, the remote display on a ribbon cable really makes sense. Maybe we should call Lowrance!