I need a fish finder. Which one do you like?

greenbuttskunk · 12-15-2003, 09:56 AM

Any thoughts or comments on ones you guys like.
I have a budget of about 250.00.
Thanks in advance.
GBS

[ 12-15-2003, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: greenbuttskunk ]

Phil Layer · 12-15-2003, 10:42 AM

I'm not a big fan of Humminbirds although the price is usually right on them. I find they go to screens of garbage a lot more than my buddy's Lowrance and he didn't pay that much more for his.

My 405SX seems to work okay but does have the typical humminbird "garbage screen" like my 300 had. Temp and speed gauge work great on it though.

If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't get a Humminbird.

blacktail519 · 12-15-2003, 03:16 PM

I have a lowrance, And also a zercom,

The zercom is awsome. And would fit your budget. I think humminbird makes them now and are calling them the legend series. i really like mine. Best one of the two

Tilla · 12-15-2003, 03:17 PM

Most people like their Garmins.

MacEFL · 12-15-2003, 04:10 PM

I like my Garmin just fine!

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-15-2003, 04:27 PM

If you add another zero to that number you might want to take a look at a genetron. They are the finest sonar out there. All the top walleye guys run them.

Birdnest · 12-15-2003, 04:43 PM

I recently got the Garmin 160 Blue with speed/temp for around $200 after rebate. They have discontinued the 160 so the stock will be shrinking. The only difference between the $350 Garmin 240 Blue and the 160 Blue is screen resolution. The performance parameters are exactly the same. Check out Garmin's website, they have a nice side by side comparison.

The 240 Blue is a 240x240 matrix vs a 160x160. I think they discontinued it due a big price difference with little actual difference between the two units.

Happy Fishing,

Joe

blacktail · 12-15-2003, 06:27 PM

Lowrance.

Mike

fortywinks · 12-15-2003, 07:07 PM

Garmin 240's been good to me.

Flatfish · 12-15-2003, 07:09 PM

Not everything in life is this way, but in marine electronics you get what you pay for.

Good Luck in your fishquest.

Mark and the dog.

Wright Angle · 12-15-2003, 07:44 PM

I love my Lowrance X-97 with speed and temp..

The speed is very close to the speed on my GPS (plus or minus 1mph)

I can see Sturgeon in the holes on the bottom of the Columbia.

A friend bought the Eagle 320 speed and temp, I have compared both units (Lowrance/Eagle) they have the same features, It's even the same case. my Lowrance has a flasher screen that the Eagle does not, I don't use this screen. The Lowrance has more power but I see no difference in what we see when we are anchored side by side. If I was buying again I would look at the Eagle as the best value...

I called Lowrance and ask what the difference between the quality of the components where between the two units and the tech person told me that they both use the exact same components.

WishinIwasfishin · 12-15-2003, 09:13 PM

just got an EAgle Fishmark 320. $169 @ Sportsmans Warehouse, on sale. Fishermans has them on sale this week. Same Lowrance sells for $100 more, same unit, differnt name. Didn't get the speed ducer I don't find that overly helpful, its easier and more reliable to look at my rod when trolling. Great unit for the price.

TheRogue · 12-16-2003, 04:27 AM

Fishmark 320 is what I have, resolution is fantastic...so what if it only has an 800 ft. max depth?

That would be my reccomendation to you!

TR

Chilly one · 12-16-2003, 04:40 PM

GBS, take a few days and check it out is my first advice! There are lots of boat shows coming up to find a good winter time deal as the winter time is somewhat a good time for a "deal"! Also check out www.boatersworld.com, also www.garmin.com, www.eaglesonar.com, www.lowrance.com, www.cabelas.com. I've owned a couple of their units and it's Lowrance products under Eagle's name. I just bought a Eagle 320 Intellimap GPS with cartography mapping and CD Rom capabilities as well. A great value! Furuno is top of the line but the budget might be overrun a bit there. I think you should realize are u using it mostly in the rivers and bays? Ocean? And then pick the highest power and most pixels u can get with a name brand and a good warranty. Also check out www.consumersmarine.com, the more shopping u do the better machine and price u will find. Don't get in a big hurry! Of course unless u r in a hurry! Hoppy Holidays! "Happiness is a Bent Rod!". :grin:

kodiakfisher · 12-16-2003, 05:08 PM

Dave Johnson has always proven to be a good fish finder.

El-Kabong · 12-16-2003, 06:30 PM

I have this one Eagle Fishmark 320 great unit.

EK

Silver Hilton · 12-16-2003, 08:49 PM

I have an Eagle Accura 240, which is coming up on two and a half years old. The temperature has quit working, and the display is lightly fogged. Eagle wouldn't fix the display under warrantee (longer story, they're not totally evil for their position). I also have a cheap Humminbird that I got to put in a second fish finder back by the kicker. This one has also fogged up, and is unreliable at very shallow depths (less than 6 feet). It seems to get confused and thinks we're in 14 feet when I can see the rocks just below the kicker prop.

I have yet to find a brand that I am happy with. I suspect flatfish may be correct, and that additional coin needs to be applied.

fishbait · 12-17-2003, 04:54 AM

I have a Lowrance X-5, must be about 20 years old now. Works great, never an issue, never leaked. Wish everything I owned performed so well. Ya get what you pay for..........