fishfinder on a budget

[bassboy1]

I have two boats I need a fishfinder for. A 1997 12' Grumman and a 1974 15' Lund. Both aluminum. The Grumman will be our small lake boat, but will get some use in our local large lake (allatoona). I was thinking the Eagle fish easy 245 would be a good match for the 12'. I am not sure what I want for the Lund. Its restoration is not finished yet, so I am not gonna go out and buy one for it right now. It will be a few months. I am just trying to get a view of what I need.
Also, how complicated is it to get two transducers - one for each boat - and swap the unit from one to the other?

 

[jtexas]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

3 most important features in a fishfinder IMHO: resolution, resolution and resolution. Meaning vertical pixels per inch. get the best resolution you can afford. Unless it's just depth you need. Hands down the best value for the money is eagle fishmark 320 at under $150. World of difference between that and the next lower res unit. It's 320 vert. pix. @ 3.5", about 91/inch. I'd use that as my benchmark. I started out with the low-end humminbird, it was more like a child's toy.

the monitor is portable between boats no problem. seems like you can find a unit without a 'ducer on ebay but used transducers are harder to come by - guess people replace units & re-use the 'ducer. Eagle sells 'em I think around $60.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

Cabela's recently ran an add for a Bottomline 320 for $75 bucks. My buddy has one and likes it.

 

[Bass-A-Holic]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

A huminbird matrix 12 or 17 are pretty nice. they are upgradable so you can add gps, speed, ect. and i think the 12 is $120 or so and the 17 is $150 or so

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

i've go a HB piranha max 20, does all i need

 

[ezeke]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

I like the Eagle fishfinders and use them on my smaller boats for years. They are made by Lowrance, and that is a good recommendation in its own right.

The 245 is sale priced around $99.US. The portable 245 is around 130. Those are pretty competitive prices even with shipping charges. Examples:

http://www.iboats.com/mall/?keyword...673694272&session_id=679375275&view_id=220399

http://www.fishfinder-store.com/eagle-fishfinder.html

 

[whofan]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

The Eagle Fishmark 320 is the best low priced fishfinder. I believe they are under $150.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

The Eagle Fishmark 320 is the best low priced fishfinder. I believe they are under $150.

I just got a used one from a guy on another forum I visit. 'bout a year old and somewhat lightly used. 80 bucks shipped, from Kansas. Arrived Thursday morning. Can't wait to try it. Oooh, the anticipation.8)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

they will pi$$ you off. you see the fish, but they won't bite.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

You see what you think are fish. Most times they are not.....I've found that most fishfinders lie a bit too much to trust.......But for structure, you can't beat them...

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

Related question:

Last year I bought a Furuno something-or-another....their low end fishfinder. I found it was too advanced for the little lakes that I fish.
Most lakes I fish are under 20 feet.
The Furuno was hard to read / hard to understand what it was picking up/etc.

Is the Fishmark 320 good in shallow water / weeds ?

Or should I stick w/ the cheap-o 3 year old Hummingbird I have.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

:'(

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fishfinder on a budget

Any store with a relatively decent supply of locators also stocks the accessories for Lowrance and Eagle locators, including separate transducers. Buy a second transducer for the other boat. Buy a quick release mount and an extra base and you can swap the locator between boats in seconds.