Best fishfinder for under $500??

Martin85 · 07-29-2003, 04:19 PM

I have been looking for a fishfinder for under$500 bucks. I want speed and temp. also, the one I have been leaning towards was the lowrance X98 it has 4000 watts 2500' depth 320x320 pixels and dual freq. transducer for just over $400 + extra for I think the speed. Is this over kill, I know that I need a Dual transponder for the salt water for accuracy but the 2500' depth seems over kill. I will spend about as much time on the rivers as on the ocean. The only info I have gotten is from sales people but I want one that I can put on a bigger boat in two years so I want some quality. Any other depth finders you guys like for $500 or less??

thanks chris

Beer Waggin · 07-29-2003, 05:02 PM

I just put an X88 on my duck boat. You didn't look real hard at the the 98, it comes with the speed. (Boater's World)
The only thing I don't like about Lowrance is the way they do their trandsucer. Their gear thing that adjusts the transduce is a pain to install and even worse to maintain(IMHO), but they have the best pixels for the money.
If I was doing a salty boat, I'd spend the money and go with a new Furuno with the GPS, bottom maping and color monitor. These things rock!

Martin85 · 07-29-2003, 05:21 PM

Sorry it came with out the temp. I was trying to talk and type at the same time. Good catch

WP · 07-29-2003, 05:46 PM

Garmin 240 blue has been wonderful for me. Just a satified customer :smile:
WP

Beer Waggin · 07-29-2003, 06:15 PM

Martin-
It should have the temp too, my 88 does. Not haggling ya... :grin:

Lepper · 07-29-2003, 07:53 PM

I have a lowrance LMS-320DF and I love it.. Eagle has the same unit.. but cheaper. Can't go wrong with eithe of the units, (both are made by lowrance) And this is the first finder I have ever had that will track bottom while going 20 mph in a boat.
d

Spoiled Daddy · 07-29-2003, 07:55 PM

I've had no problems with my Raymarine L470. It has speed, temp and a number of features the others have too.

.02 SD

07-29-2003, 08:38 PM

I bought the new hummingbird matrix along with the gps for it. It seems to be a nice finder with great resilution. I would go to their web site. you can aslo buy a brometer to tell toy the current pressure along with dowloading any updates from to commuter to the fish finder. And if you do not want to spend the money on the gps antenna you can but a cord and use your hand held and store the way points in the finder

blubeast · 07-29-2003, 08:56 PM

I've been very happy with my Raymarine 365... depth, fish, speed, temp... nice compact unit. Infact if I remember, there's one listed in the For Sale Section of this site.

New they're far below your spending limit... approx $200 if I remember.

Martin85 · 07-29-2003, 08:57 PM

Thanks for the input I just ran out after talking to a friend and bought the Eagle 320 DF its the one you were talking about Lepper. I found that it has the same things that the X98 has only it goes 1000'+ not 2500' and this does have speed, temp and distance.

Thanks again chris

Mr. Fisherman · 07-29-2003, 10:11 PM

I have an Apelco GPS/FF with speed and temp and a dual frequency transducer that I would let go for $450.
Drop me a line if you are interested. It works great but I upgraded to color.

Lepper · 07-30-2003, 12:04 AM

You'll love the new unit I just went out and picked up a MMC card for mine.. so I'll be putting the actual charts on it here in the near future.

And the GPS is EXCELLENT! brought me back in when you couldn't see more then 20 ft.. enjoy your new toy!

d

Critr Gitr · 07-30-2003, 02:33 PM

Garmin 240blue .....very nice

Sky-Guy · 07-30-2003, 02:58 PM

I am in the Garmin 240 Gang, super easy menu navigation, good power. Best one I Have ever had.

Killertraylor · 07-30-2003, 02:59 PM

You'll like the eagle - I think they are still the same company as Lowrance.

Fishmstr · 07-30-2003, 09:47 PM

Furuno LS 6000. I paid about $300 about two years ago and love it. Furuno is one of the top names in marine electronics and this is their bottom on the line fish finder...but it has most of the features of their top of the line models. It rocks. You can't go wrong with a Furuno!!!!

OceanBlue · 07-31-2003, 07:03 AM

You can rent me for under $500. Unfortunately I don't do speed or temp, though. :grin: