Trying to decide on a fishfinder

[teslaman]

I recently purchased a bass boat with a crappy old hummingbird deothfinder. I want to upgrade so I can do some walleye fishing. I've had my eye on two different hummingbird models: the matrix 17 and the 565.

Both units have dual beams (200MHz & 83MHz), but the matrix 17 is GPS capable. However, the 535 has 640X320 resolution as oppossed to 320X320 for the matrix 17.

Can anyone offer some assistance? I've considered other units besides hummingbird but thed evices I mentioned are relatively cheap for what they offer -- the 535 is $200 and the matrix 17 is $150. What would some of you more experienced anglars prefer: higher resolution or expaned capability?

 

[Wingnutt]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

Not trying to be a smart alec, but you do get what you pay for, espicially with marine electronics. A $150-200 unit will show you fish, but not a whole lot else.

I used a Hummin'bird 400TX for years and was satisified with it, but always wondered why everybody else could see structure and other things where I couldn't....that was until I went out with a friend who had a Lowrance X-15 on his boat. I learned two things real quickly on that trip. One, power, power and more power is your firend (the X-15MT has 4000 watts vs the 800 watts for the Hummin'bird) and two, that a 7" screen shows MUCH more than that little 4" screen that my Hummin'bird had.

The next year I started having problems with my old 400TX and started saving for a new unit. My first choice (and the first Lowrance I purchased) was the X-135. A nice powerful (4000 watts) affordable unit ($400 complete) but with a smallish display screen (5"). It's a great unit, but the small screen doesn't do the unit justice, but that's how they keep the cost down.

After using that unit for a year, I got the itch for a bigger screen, and saved up and purchased the X-17 (the X-15's replacement, it has the same power but a little bit better resolution) without the GPS reciever. Now I wished I would have held off for a couple of months because Cabella's has them on sale for $450 without the GPS reciever or transducer).

Believe me, you have no idea of what you are missing (read that as not seeing) with a, umm, uh lower priced fishfinder until you see what a midrange unit has to show you.

 

[whiteman]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

Agree with the X135 as a benchmark for the price. I've had one in my boat for 2 years and am very happy. Have fished on boats with bigger screens (Furunos, X107s, etc) and they are nice and colourful but not a quantum leap in useful information over the X135. 480x480 resolution should be your minimum standard.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I purchased my first bass boat this year as well. I have an old Humminbird depth finder that I recently moved up front and put a Matrix 17 on the dash. So far, I really like the Matrix 17 and think it's great. Both show about the same things, the Matrix 17 just shows better pictures and has other features such as temp, GPS ready, etc.

I am by far no expert and just learning to fish on a boat in the lake. I used to fish a lot on farm ponds, so this is different. From what I gathered while hunting for a unit is that power is your friend, but depending on where you fish, power can be somewhat overrated. My understanding is that if you fish a muddy lake, power will cut through the clutter. Or if you fish a very deep lake you need the power to get a good reading all the way down. My local lake is only about 35' deep, but muddy. The Matrix 17 seems to do the job nicely.

My thought was buy something like the Matrix 17, use it as my primary until I learn to use it and see what features I'd really like, then move it up front and buy another nicer unit for the dash. I'd also suggest looking at ebay. I noticed some of the Matrix units complete with the GPS puck for a little over $100.

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong in my understandings...

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

Pixel count is also very important....

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

Lowrance and high pixel count. You don't need dual beam unless you are fishing in the ocean. (according to Lowrance).

 

[Boatist]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I would choose Lowrance over hummingbird any day on any water.

If your fishing for bass in 15 to 40 feet of Fresh water Power and pixel count do not really matter.

If your fishing in 200 feet of fresh water then a High pixel count and high power a must. Also need a good zoom if fishing the bottom. I would suggest 480 vertical pixels and 4000 watts PeP.

If your fishing 200 feet and over in salt water then power Pixel count, zoom and dual frequency a must. I would suggest 480 vertical pixels, 8000 watts PeP a good zoom, and 200khz / 50 Khz dual frequency transducer. A few newer units use 83 Khz for saltwater. In saltwater at this depth Furuno or Lowrance your best bet. Furuno has bottom lock which will help you see bottom fish in deep water with stormy seas.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I have two boats. One with a Raymarine A series fishfinder and the other with a Humminbird Matrix 17. I went the value route on the second boat. I have to say that the Matrix 17 has outperformed my expectations. Good bottom definition in saltwater or freshwater, holds bottom well, good screen day/night, and I think its display is better than others in the same price range. You won't be disappointed if you want to go with the Matrix 17.

 

[teslaman]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I have to admit it, 480X480 res sounds great and would possibly allow me to make out more structure, but I can get a new Matrix 17 at Gander Mtn for $149.99 -- hard to beat!

The lake I've been fishing is very clean with a mostly rocky bottom, but I'm sure there are muddy places. I know of places where depths approach ~500 ft or so, although I haven't tried to fish them yet.

Everyone's input is very interesting, hopefully there will be some more. -- Thanks

 

[Boatist]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I will say this about HummingBird. Older units we had on average 2 threads going all the time. All were cant see bottom when planning. Also had quite a number that the screen fogs up on the inside.

Since the matrix series came out have only seen one or two with problem seeing bottom and I think both were on steeped hulls and a transducer mounting problem.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I'm looking to upgrade as well, but on a bit more expensive side.

I've got an Eagle Fishmark 240 and have seen a firends Lowrance (don't know the model #, but 7 inch color, gps, radar capable, nice unit). Makes me want to upgrade to color as it is so much easier to read.

Looking at the Eagle SeaCharter 642C for $650 at Cabela's. Internal GPS, 4,000 watts, 5 inch screen, dual frequency ($50 more than single).

If you are looking at the Lowrance product, check out Eagle as they are made by Lowrance but are often cheaper.

 

[teslaman]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

The guy at BassPro told me that Eagle is simply last year's Lowrance models. I like the menu on the Eagle better the the Humminbird's for sure, it's much easier to navigate.

For the money, the matrix 17 seems like it does a lot of stuff. I'm thinking of starting with this one, and possibly upgrading to a nicer one later. That way I can learn about these things without breaking the bank.

I agree though, a 7" color display with great res would be awsome!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I would spend twice the time looking at units and get the unit you want the first time. Reason I say this is my Lowrance unit is a 1981 model so 25 years old and still works like brand new. If you take care of your unit it will last a very long time.

Lowrance and Eagle unit you can down load an emulator and try it on you PC before you buy it.

Once you get use to certain features and how to work it you may not want to change brands. Winter boat shows are a good place to see a lot of different brands.

Some times units get better when new models come out. Sometimes they take away your favorite feature. They took away my favorite features many years back to make units that will run in auto and you do not need to read the book. Basic menu driven but not as many advanced features.

Example My unit you can expand the bottom. It is called bottom track and if fishing in 400 feet of water for bottom fish I can set it for bottom and up 10 feet or 11 or 20 or 50. any distance over 10 feet. So if I am fishing in the ocean 400 feet deep I set for bottom and up 10 feet and I can see even small fish. Today units only have 4 times zoom so if your fishing 400 feet deep and zoom 4 times your seeing bottom and up 100 foot. So even with a 480 vertical pixel each pixel cover almost 1 foot. Since the pixel are so small to see a fish it must light at least 2 pixels. This means the fish must be at least 2 foot high to be seen. There are fish 2 feet high in the ocean but there are many more 6 or 8 or 10 inches high that you will not see.

http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCSoftware/demos.asp

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I had some troubles seeing the bottom on plane with my Matrix 17 and a stepped hull. I simply moved the transducer over and out of the way of the step and now it works like a charm. My old Humminbird has never had much trouble either with seeing the bottom.

Good luck in your search! From what I have seen you won't be disappointed in whatever you buy. Personally, I just liked some of the features the Matrix offered over the eagle/lowrance.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I have to say the Lowerance that the guide I went fishing with was great. I could see the small baitfish swarms. Unfortunately, I have to use a portable since I can only afford one and I use a bunch of different boats (only one of which is mine) and have to take the fish finder with me or have none. Someday I will own better.

 

[teslaman]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I went down to the local West Marine store yesterday to buy some boat stuff and while I was there I took the opportunity to ask the clerk a few questions.

He said that he uses a matrix 47 because it has side beams, He said that this was very hand when fishing creeks. The sied beams provide the coverage to give an almost 3-D representation of the floor so you can navigate the creek and pick out fish spots.

Is this feature really all that useful? The lake that I usually does hav a lot of creeks that present good fishing opportunities.

 

[racefan2]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

If it were me I would buy a Lowrance 102C for $399.99 At Gander Mt. It is a color screen with high power and good pixel count. You can get a Widescreen LCX15 with GPS and mapping for the same amt at Gander also.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I got one of the 102C units a couple months ago. So far its been great and a lot easier to see than my X125 in bight sun.

 

[gregtobin]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

I'll be fishing in both the Potomac River (10-50 feet) and the Chesapeake Bay (mostly 10-70, but also some 120+). I'm new to the boating world and need to buy a bunch of stuff (fishfinder, VHS radio, GPS (opt), fishing gear, etc) so I'd like to keep each thing within a workable budget.

What's the consensus on the requirement for a color monitor? If a middle of the line monochrome has a higher pixel rating and more power, would this be better than a lower line color for the same price?

 

[nathan104]

Re: Trying to decide on a fishfinder

Well the boat I bought had a Lowrance X25a in it. The transducer cable was torn so I had to splice it back together. It shows me how deep the water is, fish that are there, and structure on the bottom. Im sure a high end expensive model with color, gps and all the other whistles would be nice. But I dont know what I would use it for except to see the depth, fish and structure. I fish on lakes, mainly for bass and catfish. Nothing very deep and only fresh water. Doubt ill buy a new one unless my next boat just doesnt have one yet when I move on to a different boat down the road.