Portable fish finder recommendations

Hawk · 08-22-2009, 04:11 PM

Do you guys have any recommendations for portable fish finders?

We're doing more lake fishing (not a ton, but some) and thought it'd be cool to have one of these things we could use with rental boats.

Anybody got any that they love or hate?

jdhogg · 08-24-2009, 06:47 AM

a good inexpensive finder is the hummingbird fishin buddy.its quite the setup and wont break the bank.they was on sale at www.amazon.com

Kendall · 08-24-2009, 11:05 AM

Reviews are pretty solid on the Hawkeye Portable. Walmart and Amazon for 50 bucks!

crawdad · 08-28-2009, 08:15 AM

I have a Hummingbird Pirranamax. I can't remember the exact model number. I absolutely love it.

RB Drifter · 08-28-2009, 08:21 AM

I have the newest version of the fishing buddy I use in my drift boat. I forget the model number but it has color, shows fish, water temp, the type of bottom you are fishing and you can point the side finder in any direction. The batteries last for a good 40 hours when in use. I have no issues with it and I purchased it at last years Sportsman Show for 225.00. You can find the older ones on Craiglist for about 75.00 which gives you the basic information.

Hawk · 08-28-2009, 01:43 PM

Is the dual zone thing that big of a deal?

It seems like they all have a narrow zone that is pretty high resolution, and then their secon zone is bigger, but lower resolution. Which one do you guys use?

Also, how much wattage do you need? Looks like the start at 1000W and go up from there.

Doc_Rhen · 08-29-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawk

Is the dual zone thing that big of a deal?

It seems like they all have a narrow zone that is pretty high resolution, and then their secon zone is bigger, but lower resolution. Which one do you guys use?

Also, how much wattage do you need? Looks like the start at 1000W and go up from there.

Make sure when you are looking at wattage that you are comparing apples to apples. The best number to look at is the RMS if they will list it. That is usually between 200 and 600 for most recreational units, some of the thru-hull transducers on the multi thousand dollar units will go 1, 2 or 3 kw. Alot of times the number that they show you is something called Peak to Peak wattage which is not as consistent as an indicator of the sounder "strength".

stupenny5 · 08-30-2009, 06:47 AM

You can not go wrong with the fishing buddy.

cowlitzriverfisher · 08-30-2009, 07:25 AM

Another vote for the fishin bubby... We used to have one in an old run-about 12footer that we used everywhere. kinda wich we still had it...

Luni · 09-02-2009, 08:58 AM

Anyone ever used one of the ones that is like wireless and you cast it out?

My brother has one (he lives in a different state than me and I dont know what it is), and it seems to work good, you cast it out its like a bobber and theres a handheld device that reads it.

I wouldnt mind having one of those.

pontoonbandit · 09-02-2009, 10:16 AM

Another vote for the fishing buddy. I had the 1200 and it was great!