Confused on fish finder

[wtx]

Traded bass boat for bowrider. I would like to have a fish finder that would show me water temp, depth & sounder, speeds, and ability to see what is below boat.

Are there and below $300 to not really into finding fish just info.

 

[GLENN M]

Re: Confused on fish finder

fish finder that dosent find fish!if you have to break ice to test water temp,its cold.dont forget you get what you pay for.that said up here crappy tire sells a couple models around that price,and dont worry they wont giveaway fish locations

 

[wtx]

Re: Confused on fish finder

Thanks Glenn for the integent and informative reply. Have a nice day and stay warm

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Confused on fish finder

Your question is worded such that it is hard to interpret. If you want to see what is under the boat you need a locator (fish finders are locators) and will show structure, bottom contour, depth and if you have the optional transducers, water temp and boat speed. Keep in mind water temperature will be surface temperature since that's where the measurement is being taken. There are many of these under $300 and you can find them right here on iBoats. Humminbird, Eagle, Lowrance, and others will all do the job for you.

 

[wtx]

Re: Confused on fish finder

Thanks siler

I went from a bass boat to a bowrider. I had a expensive lowrance unit I loved. IIt had gps for speed and water temp you could set on a single screen.
That helped in prop selection

I just wanted a gps for the speed sense, water temp and water depth plus being able to see the bottom structure before dropping anchor.

However I did not want to spend 300-600 for the unit. Is there an alternative to a fish finder

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Confused on fish finder

Lets put it this way -- there is no sounder that I'm aware of that is less expensive than a basic fish finder. Basic models of Humminbird, Eagle and Lowrance do everything you want (and quite well I might add) so I still don't understand why this is an issue. Don't confuse fish finder/locator/sounder as they are the same thing. If you don't want to look at fish symbols, turn the feature off and turn down the sensitivity. It will still show depth, water temp and speed (provided you have the optional transducers). Even with the speed and temp transducers you are barely into $150 - $200 territory.

 

[Sea Stomper]

Re: Confused on fish finder

If you want to go to the lower feature set, the Eagle Cuda 250 or 350 units are 199.99 at amazon and they have basic charts, not super detailed or anything. They are a depth sounder with adequate capability for lakes. I have one on my boat and used it in the ocean for a couple of years (actually a 250) and it gets me back to the harbor entrance every time, and also it could sound down to about 500 feet in salt water with the engine shut down.

Humminbird has a similar unit with similar capabilities for about the same price. After that, pay more for more features. I've been totally happy with the Cuda 250 but later upgraded the fish finder side to a Lowrance Mark5x pro for better fishing detail and sensitivity.

 

[wtx]

Re: Confused on fish finder

Thanks guys

Basicly I was just looking for good depth sounder alarm, water temp, and gps speed indicator. Not so much finding fish.

Studied up and there are many that say speed capable that you have to get buy a diffents tranducer for the spped indicator. Looked at an eagle today @ 150

Any suggestions

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Confused on fish finder

To help you with your selection of products, you need to understand the two different ways speed is measured: (1) speed over ground ("SOG") for which a GPS equipped unit is required, and (2) through the water speed ("T/W"or "SPEED") for which a "paddlewheel" transducer is required. If you do not really need or want charting, GPS location, and SOG capabilities, then you may focus on a simple dedicated "fishfinder" with a tri-ducer. The tri-ducer, as its name implies, provides three types of data: your through the water speed by virtue of its paddlewheel, water temperature, and depth readings. It may actually be easier to find products that combine everything, which is what most people desire. Thus, with a GPS chartplotter/fishfinder (with tri-ducer) combo unit, you get the whole enchilada.

 

[semperfifishing]

Re: Confused on fish finder

Furuno makes an excellent Sound that is under $300. The LS 4100.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Confused on fish finder

If you insist on the GPS capability just buy a separate hand held unit that you can use anywhere. Why spend money on something that is dedicated to the boat. Convenient to be sure -- but also more money than you want to spend. Speed over water or over ground is really not a big deal eather. Who cares if speed is off by one or two MPH.

 

[wtx]

Re: Confused on fish finder

Thanks guys

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Confused on fish finder

im looking at one im plannin on buying it in the spring it from west marine i like it casue is has every thing that you mentioned http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10103&subdeptNum=10257&classNum=10258 they also have one thats black and white that cheaper im planning on geting the black and white one but look at this one it should be what your looking for