Depth/fishfinder recomendations

blubeast · 07-09-2001, 12:57 PM

The fishfinder on my boat has just died. Need to get a replacement. What brands & models would you recommend?

Thanks for the suggestions.

smilesforu · 07-09-2001, 01:06 PM

Si-tex ProfishII has the ablility to add on with lots of extra electonic acessories (gps, mapping, etc..) It also is a two frequency depth finder with built software features that allow you to adjust everything.

Click here to go to Si-tex site Profish II product information

ol tuna skipper · 07-09-2001, 01:09 PM

I like my Hummingbird 400TX. It has water temp, speed, and tri-beam Features. Some guys don't like H-bird, but it has already outlasted my bottomline that got shelved after it quite working, tore into it to discover a circuit had broken loose at the solder. To much bangging around on the choppy Columbia killed it. Resoldered it and it made it about three months. It works again, but I'm afraid it will die when I need it like in T-bay. Not waterproof anymore since I opened it. Anybody interested in a slightly used bottomline.

ol tuna skipper · 07-09-2001, 01:12 PM

Marty,

How much does that baby cost. It sure looks good. And the specs are impressive. i'm not a guide or everyday fisherman so money spent vs. time used is a factor.

Jim · 07-09-2001, 02:48 PM

I am interested in this post this time...just lost my speed on my bottomline after three years of great service. I am not willing to give up the sidefinder option but haven't looked for anything else...do any of the other finders offer sidefinder out both sides simultaneously??

Jim

ol tuna skipper · 07-09-2001, 03:08 PM

Hummingbird has several models with tribeam transducers for the side finding.

Jim · 07-09-2001, 03:44 PM

Tuna...I thought hummin's were just giving you a broader look down...but am unsure...if it is straight to the side then that is what I need.

Jim

smilesforu · 07-09-2001, 04:22 PM

Tuna
This is top of the line electonics. I would love to say it was inexpensive.....its not and I got mine as a Prostaff model straight from the factory. I wish I could tell you who the retail outlets were and the prices...don't have the info. If price is a major consideration this may not be the right choice...but wow it sure is sweet to use. Its probably even worth more than my boat. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I combine mine with a line counter reel and can fish right were I should. They gave some contact names for the models so I could sell some through the site, but haven't got that far yet.

ol tuna skipper · 07-09-2001, 04:38 PM

Jim,

your right, the standard tri-beam transducer has a left and right beam at 455kHz in an eliptical pattern giving a greater area of coverage. There is setting in the options for side transducer for the wide side transducer which is purchased sepately or ordered special. I don,t know how this compares with the Sidefinder Tournament Leader SF by Bottomline, which I also have. I'll have to dig out that manual. Now where did I put it. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

HOGTIDE · 07-09-2001, 07:02 PM

Just installed a Lowrance X-65 w/ Speed and Temperature. Seems to be a nice unit which is moderately priced. Big screen , fish trak, distance log and too many screen configurations, setups and options. Don't know if it would satisfy bass-guy needs for a sidefinder or super deepwater needs, but it seems to be 'more' than enough for any Salmon, Steelhead, Trout fishing that I might do.

GI Joes Reg DF Price is $20 less than FMS @ $259. Their Speed/Temp access. price is $24 less than FMS @ $54.

Hookset · 07-09-2001, 07:47 PM

Just thunbing through my Boaters catalog. The Si Tex Profish II TST is $799 and the BST is $899. Looks like this unit is a fishfinder with GPS. You can spend another $200 for speed,temp and C-Map chartplotter built in.

I have a Lowrance X85 finder and Lowrance 1600 GPS with IMS mapping. I like the units and both work ok.

Last time I went looking, saw a Raytheon L470 with optional side looker transducer. This unit fits your needs and one I seriuosly considered for a second unit. The Portland dealer recommended this unit, they are located near Marine drive I think. The cost, $380 includes speed and temp, not sure about optional side looker.

best of luck,

Gregg

blubeast · 07-09-2001, 08:24 PM

Thanks for all of the feedback. Appreciate all of the info.

Anyone else care to comment?

SureSet · 07-09-2001, 08:33 PM

I too have the X-65 and can't find much to complain about. Seems to have good resolution, 2x and 4x zoom. The only thing I've noticed is I can't seem to get the speed indicator calabrated so it's accurate (+-2MPH) at all speeds, it's either accurate at 0-10 or 25-30 but not both (could be my mounting). The new x-15 looks like it has more "stuff", but I guess it's all a matter of what you deem the functionality is worth and what you want to spend.

SureSet

Twoshottom · 07-09-2001, 09:13 PM

Has anyone tried any of the Garmin units? My cousin is looking for a fish finder and had someone at Fishermans recommend the Garmin over the Lowrance. Good resolution for a little less money.

bait boy · 07-10-2001, 12:58 AM

I like to compare specs for each of the units in my price range. I feel that if you fish both shallow and deep that you should have a dual frequency transducer.

You need to make your decision based on your needs. suggestions are nice but ultimately you are going to have to base your decision on personal preference and price range.

Get the most power for the cheapest with the most features. Resolution is a big factor and grayscale also being important if you wish to know bottom composition based upon sonar returns.

Transducers are made nowadays to give you a wide view of the bottom to best pick out the features. The frequency and cone angle tell you if what your sonar returns is possibly right under your boat or 20 feet to the side. The larger the cone angle the larger picture you get from the bottom.

This link provides good background for transducer selection and basic how it works kinda stuff.finder faq

I think that the Garmin products sound OK to me I did this comparison of their 2 "blue" models Blue 100 vs 160

Anyhoo I really get into finders and transducer powers and screen resolution ......

Good hunting

brshooter · 07-10-2001, 04:14 AM

I have a X-65 with speed & temp. (about $300.00) Only complaint I have is that the screen can be almost black with fish, but I still can't catch anything. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Kerry · 07-10-2001, 05:22 AM

I would go with lowrance, but I would not pick hummingbird I think they are junk! If you want one I have one I have taken out and I would give it to you but it would be a better anchor! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[ 07-10-2001: Message edited by: Kerry ]

FishinMission · 07-10-2001, 12:17 PM

I just bought me an X-85 last year...after about three or four Eagle's lost their seals on me. Tho I was concerned about this one failing..I liked the features mentioned above too well...so I'm gambling on this one working longer. I do like the background lite when it's dark...the white has better contrast than the old yellow color.

[ 07-10-2001: Message edited by: FishinMission ]

Tinman · 07-10-2001, 05:15 PM

Had bad luck with a Lowrance unit a decade ago...lots of repairs, plus too many buttons and complicated to use. I am happy with my Humminbird TX400. It is very simple to use, and has all the features I need.

Steve · 07-10-2001, 07:23 PM

Have any of you, Ifishers, used an Impulse 2801 fish finder? Mine is coming back from the repair shop for the second time in 4 years...the company swears that it is worth 500.00 and is a great unit...????? Steve

whitewaterbill · 07-10-2001, 08:01 PM

Steve,

I have a Impulse 4040 and like it very much. It is the one I rely on in water up to 40 feet and then I tend to watch my Bottomline 6500.

Where did you send yours for repair...I heard that Impulse was purchased by someone and discontinued?

Bill

KrystalFlash · 07-11-2001, 12:41 AM

Hey here's my .02!

I've used many diferent kinds of fish/depth finders, and it is my belief that the Lowrance LMS350A is the best bang for your buck. It is the choice of my friend Pilar, and has never failed us. It is a twelve channel GPS/Fish/Depthfinder. It is good to over 300ft and has never failed us. It is rather spendy, but well worth the money. You'll never need another one.

Sockeye · 07-11-2001, 04:42 AM

I have a hummingbird wide eye and have had nothing but problems with it. I would not buy another. Its been back to the shop 4 times now and it needs to go again!

Gizmo Man · 07-11-2001, 07:04 PM

Steve: I have an impulse 2800 and a 2801. I also have a lowrance 350, eagle optima, ultra classic and 2 hummingbird color machines (Also a ray jefferson telscan 1500 and just sold my fishing buddy 11.)

Also owned and sold several hummingbirds.( Don't think I would own the humminbirds.)

I don't think the impulse is worth $500 but if you do I will sell you mine for $400 each and you can make a quick $100.

Of all the machines I own for finding fish and use in general I pick the impulse. 45 degrees transducer and can pick up a 2oz lead. The fish images show up the best and you can tell relative size the easiest.

On all the machines, turn off the fish icons. They usually only show air bubbles and you don't know what you are actually looking at.

Only drawback of the impulse is they are not waterproof and the screen has a tendency to turn black if you are in direct sunlight and it is hot.

For strugeon fishing the ray jefferson can't be beat by anything out there. It actually traces the fish and you get a rough image of what you are looking at.

Drawbacks: sucks down batteries at about 1.25 amp draw ; not water resistant; need shade to see screen as it is a crt.

The lowrance and eagles are fine machines, but have a tendency to loose the nitrogen and could fog up.

When buying a machine look for pixels,pixels and pixels. The rest is fluff. Temp and speed are not important. Use a therometer as they measure surface temp only. Speed is only important if you are racing someone. You usually want to watch your rpms.

I run 2 machines on my boats. The impulse and the lowrance. Do not try to run 2 machines by the same manufacturer as they will interfer with each other if they are operating at same frequency.

If in a hog line or where lots of boats are trolling close to each other you can pick up signals from other boats that can give you false readings.

Again, make sure the little fishies are turned off. You are wasting your time with them on.

Have specific questions, feel free to ask away and if I know the answer I will tell you.

Giz... [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

smilesforu · 07-11-2001, 09:45 PM

Giz
have you seen/tried the Profish models? Great pixels and the color screen lets you see great in full daylight....not a problem. The only thing I can think is lacking is the triple beam thing...but a dual transducer is standard and has a adjustable gain to filter out noise or give better resolution. Has advanced zoom features, depth line for locating fish height in water column. Add in the gps and you can be back to with in feet of where your last strike was at....Anywhere ON THE PLANET!! Very cool strike indicator feature geared to us fishermen. Can you tell I like mine [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img].

Gizmo Man · 07-12-2001, 07:46 AM

Marty: I have looked at many of the color depthfinders at West Marine and other stores.

Have no personal exerience with that one.

The only thing I can share from spending lots of $$$$$ on them is that for the fishing we do in the river, the finders all do well telling you depth.

Most of the finders have too small of a window under them in less than 45'. Most of my fishing is done in either a trolling, backbouncing,sidedrifting or hogline.

I do not fish the big blue pond any more. When I did, the same held true. You use some type of diver which is way behind the boat. When bottom fishing, you use the finder to find the reefs or other structure and then assume the fish are there from either previous trips or watching others.

In these fisheries, the lure is presented way away from the beam of the ff.

I have jig a little and in these conditions locating fish within the zone of the cone of the ff provides valuable info.

The other thing I noticed is that there is no consisitency between finders as to the size of the return image in the same depth mode...(ie 30' 60' etc.) some show a big mark, others part of an arch, some a long narrow line.

I now use my finders to mark depth of the occassional fish that I happen to mark, but mostly for depth and finding holes so I know what lure I mightwant to try.

I get a wealth of info from the df in my driftboat. Know where the holes are, and know when to change plug size. You'd be surprised the number of guys who start the day and end the day with the same size plug, without ever adjusting it for the depth and speed of the water.

I guess what I have learned, for most applications, is to save your money on features you won't use. Put the $$ into a 240 verticle pixel machine that is easy to use. Then put the rest in a good mapping gps. This may save your life some day. Spotting fish won't and get rid of the fish icons and learn to read the arches.

Giz... [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

smilesforu · 07-12-2001, 12:34 PM

Sage advise giz. Bottom location is the primary function for a finder. Knowing the waters you fish is a key component to catching more fish or any at all. Never used a finder in the river..but I don't fish the Columbia. Profish does tell you how wide the beam is covering at the bottom depth, so you can put the info into your mental fishing equation.

I fished for a many years with a eagle that only gave me depth and the big fish pictures. Sure was nice to get a major upgrade, but it didn't come cheap. I think you will get what you pay for, but before you break out the green get some solid information first.

On a safety note the Profish also has gps/mapping options. My unit doesn't have the mapping unit (just GPS), which would be nice when I start traveling to different locations.