Which Fish Finder???

[thill]

I recently bought a 14 ft aluminum boat with motor and I'm starting to get it rigged up for fishing. It definately needs a fish finder, but I don't want to spend too much. I will use this boat to fish small lakes in the summer for bass and I have been using it on Lake MI for browns and steelies when the weather permitts. Can anyone recommend a fish finder? I don't want to spend too much, I will probably not go over $120. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[MiketheElder]

Less than $120 huh?

Get a bolt that weighs about 6 ounces. Tie it on a long piece of string. If something bumps into it, it's probably a fish.

Follow somebody. If they catch a fish, you finded 'em.

Fill out your profile.

Happy New Year.

[DangerDan]

Less than $120 huh?

Get a bolt that weighs about 6 ounces. Tie it on a long piece of string. If something bumps into it, it's probably a fish.



Thats funny....:lol: :lol:

[adjusted3]

Thill, fill out your profile and you may get a few more responses.

That said, take a look at the Eagle Fisheasy 250DS. For the money that you are looking for it may be in the ball park. It has a 83/200 dual ducer with temp and a 4.5" screen. It is in the ball park.

Here is a link.

http://www.eaglegps.com/Products/Sonar/FishEasy250DS.htm

Give us a bump and we will quote it for you.

Mark
Info@fishdogco.com

[Captnbobb]

Look on EBay or classified for used ones, in that price range you'll get a lot more bang for the buck. I sold a nice Lowrance X85 a couple years ago to upgrade to a color uniit and was surprised how active the market for used fishfinders is. If buying used, be cautious...check references, ask questions (before the bidding gets close to deadline).

[adjusted3]

Captnbobb,

If you don't mind, what did you get for your x-85? I have a used x-85 that I need to sell.

Mark

[Czarthree]

For that price range, Bottomline Tournament 480 Max is hard to beat. I have it as my bow unit and it has worked great and has exceptional detail. Here`s the link to Cabelas. They have it for $129. http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602025-cat602011&id=0023861016813a&navCount=2&podId=0023861&parentId=cat602011&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=6IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602011&hasJS=true

[thill]

Thanks for the response. I know $120 isn't much to work with, but I don't want to go overboard for a 14ft aluminum. I did see the Bottom Line at Meijers for $89 and that is one option. I kind of like the idea of the fishing buddy. No more holes in the boat and I can move it from the back to the bow and if I'm ice fishing with someone that doesn't have a fish finder I can give them that. I hate sharing my FL-18. Anyone ever fish with a fishing buddy?

Also, I will fill out my profile.

[Captnbobb]

Currently there is an X-85 listed on Ebay for under $100, last one sold was $115. I think I got ~$200 but that was 1-1/2 years ago. This is probably a slow time of year for fishing gear, but I've purchased and sold downriggers and electronics on Ebay with good results. The classified section of this website does not have any listed right now but Mark ("Adjusted 3") was considering selling his and so far I've found that members on this site have been trustworthy (haven't met too many, but haven't heard anything bad about any of the FishDogCo guys).

[thill]

I did look on eBay and there is a lot to choose from, nice stuff too. Now I'm thinking I should just upgrade the fishfinder on my salmon boat and use the old one for my 14ft. I've bought most of my equipement for Salmon fishing off of eBay, rods, reels, rodholders, flies, GPS. I'm a big fan!

[ESOX]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For that price range, Bottomline Tournament 480 Max is hard to beat. I have it as my bow unit and it has worked great and has exceptional detail. Here`s the link to Cabelas.


I second that. Hard unit to beat for the money. I have one on my bow too.:)

[bigbob]

I second that. Hard unit to beat for the money. I have one on my bow too.:) i also have that one on my bow in my minkota`s transducer works great

[jamieking989]

I see they have them at walmart for $179, and its color. I'm considering this for my 14ft boat also. I have the vexlair mount on it now but all its really good for is depth. I mark fish but want a fish finder to have a better idea whats going on down there. Does anyone have any experience with this one? or a similar garmin model??

Thanks,

Jamie

[thill]

After going to Gander Mt, Dicks sporting goods, basspro.com, cabelas.com and a long search on eBay, I think I have it narrowed down to either the Bottomline 480 max (thanks for the recommendations) or the Hummingbird 535. Both are comparable in price. Neither Gander or Dicks had a 480max in stock to I wasn't able to touch, hold, feel and picture it on my boat, I'm just going on some of your recommendations. I do like the swivel mount of the Hummingbird. Anyone have any experience with the Hummingbird 535 or Hummingbirds in general? Thanks again for all your help.

I may end up going with the string and bolt idea.:lol:

[gilly]

I need one for my bow and thought about the bottom line. Sounds like it will be as god as I thought. Big Bob, how much did the adapter run to use the built in Minn Kota transducer? I have the same in my autopilot. Probably need to get a ram mount as well for easy of postioning and removal.

The garmin 160C is color but the screen resolution isn't even close with the bottom line at 480x480 and the garmin at only 128x128. It's all in the details when you are trying to identify fish down below.

[ESOX]

I HATE the fish icons on the Chumminturd. I have one at the console, to be replaced next year with the new generation Chummer.

[gilly]

Yep Esox I have a lot of pals who only run their finders with the fish symbols on. I always get a kick out of it as they are always marking fish and really believe they are........dam fish must be always under their boats.....:lol:

Funny how they don't seem to do the same for my boat but yet we fish the same water.......

[sfw1960]

Wudya say there BigBob??

TBL or H'Bird??
YA own BOTH!!
which is the real shiZniZZLe??

:lol:

I know I've read TBL's have poor contrast - but a lotta piXels....
'Bird's got 2x , 4x , 6x , and 8 x zoom!
(that's 320 X 8 = 2560 effective display pixels kids)

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/HBird535Zoom.jpg

http://www.humminbird.com/images/PDF/fishfinder.pdf
I know what I'd choose..........

'Course my junk didn't cost no $120!!!
ADD another zer0 and we're getting warmer...(for both)

:evilsmile

PAUL~ NextYear - as in 2007???
:evilsmile :evilsmile

[bluefin]

I bought the Matrix 17 (320x320)over a year ago for $159 after a $20 coupon and it works great for what I needed it for. I did see the Bottomline 480 2 days ago at Bass Pro on clearance for $99.

[thill]

After looking at a lot of different fishfinders, I did decide to open my wallet a little and bought the matrix 17. So far its a bit of an overkill for my 14ft, but then again so is having 8 rod holders, 4 drink holders and installing a casting platform.

[sfw1960]

Good choice.
Peace of mind is worth a LOT.
;)
Another $99 and you can add GPS Nav. functionality!
:)

[kayak]

I bought the Matrix 17 last summer and have been very happy with it so far. I am still messing around with a the features , trying to fine tune it. We do a lot of camping that I leave may boat in the water for a week or more , so the quick release feature has been very nice that I can take it off and lock it up. I do use it with a GPS as well (Garmin Legend) which has been very helpful.