Sonar

[rough water]

Can someone tell me if I would notice a difference in display between a 460 pixal vs a 240 pixal. I am fishing in shallow water (max depth 20 ft). I am usually trying to locate weeds and drop offs. Also, I am looking at humminbirds, are they relyable?

Any info would be appreciated snce I am looking to purchase a sonar before spring

[ESOX]

There is a major difference in sharpness between the two.
Stay away from the Humminbird, take it from a man who owns one.LOL

I really like the Bottom Line Tournaments with sidefinder for shallow water operation.

[jigworm]

I've used Humingbirds, Eagles and Bottomline's HR series. I like the Bottomline the best but the Eagle Optima is a close second. I wouldn't buy another Humingbird. I really like the option of a split screen so you can look at the entire water column and zoom into the bottom at the same time. Like others have posted, turn off the fish ID "cartoons" and learn to read the "blobs" I have no problem seeing a single spike on an egg hook in 20' of water with my Eagle.

[rough water]

I was really hoping the 240 would work because there is an Eagle unit that has GPS built in for a reasonable price. All I want is something to mark spots, don't need charting. I guess I will get a hand held since I dont ant to spend 500 on a sonar/gps unit. Is the side finder more important in shallow waters since the cone will be narrower in shallow waters vs deeper?

[suckerbass]

Well in my opinion 240 works just fine. 5 years ago that was top of the line. It worked great then and will work today. But if you just gota be on the cuting edge go with the 460. I would guess if you are fishing in shallow (less then 40 ft) you will be just fine. But I too would not go with a hummingbird. I have had 2 and had probolems with both.

[chamookman]

Rough Water - Get the most pixels You can afford, You won't be sorry (dissapointed) in the long run. More pixels,better resolution. I am also a Bottomline HR user and Yes I had ONE Hummingbird (won't buy another!). Hope this helps - Bob WC#253.

[JJ Mac]

Ditto on getting the most pixels you can afford. Using the split screen is important too. The next graph for me will be color. I saw a seminar with Mark Martin last Friday and he had some video of him using a Lowrance x-19. The detail was incredible, and he was pointing out fish in the weeds and on bottom that you'd probably never see with a black and white. In many instances, you could even decifer wallayes from other fish based on how the color marked the air bladders of fish.

I have a gps on an older Lowrance and have a hand held. I use the handheld all the time. I've got it mounted with a ram mount right on the dash. It works great for shroomin', driving, hiking, and ice fishing too!

[slowpoke]

I have 3 Humningbirds {2 Flashers and one LCD} I have sent the LCD in 3 times to be fix. First time was under warranty, no charge, the next two times it cost me. Not again! The Flashers work great. They came with my Ranger bass boat that I got in 1988 and had no trouble with them.

[rough water]

Sticker shock on the color graphs! I need to keep it reasonable. From what I see the humminbirds are not going to be an option even though they have some nice features and high resolution.

I looked in the Cabela's book and was thinking of the Eagle with 460 pixals. not sure if it has split screen or not, but that looks like the most reasonable for the features on it.

[chamookman]

rough water - Check out the Bottomline Tournament 480 max - heck of a unit for the price ($189.99). Don't think You would be dissapointed. Bob WC#253.