Fish Finders

[MichaelMullis]

Just sold my toon and the guy wanted my new Matrix 37 left on it. So now I need to buy a new FF for new toon. I am looking at the following units and wonder what others think of these units.<br />A)Lowrance X102C<br />B)Bottom line 5100<br />C)Matrix 47 3D<br />D)Matrix 67<br />E)Matrix 77C<br />I need feedback from anyone who has these or has used them. I like the screen size on the Botton line but know nothing about them.<br />I also like the looks of the 3D.<br />I also like the 77C but am not happy with pixel count for the money.<br />Thanks <br />Michael

 

[JB]

Re: Fish Finders

A great picture is worthless without great sonar performance.<br /><br />To me, that means Lowrance or Eagle for fresh and Furuno for salt.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Fish Finders

All of the finders are good now. The best names make a dud once in awhile. They all work great when the fish are schooled up and hungry.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fish Finders

I agree with JB. For fresh water 1 Lowrance, 2 Eagle. For Shallow Salt Water (under 400 feet) Lowrance or Furuno. For deep Salt water Furuno.<br /><br />Really question as ask there is no way to answer. This is like asking what is the best prop.<br />First need to know how you fish. Most important is to know how deep you fish and what type of water.<br /><br />Most fish finder do good in water under 60 feet. Resolution and power not important. As you go deeper then both power and resolution become the most important thing.<br /><br />Salt water then need lots of power and a dual frequency unit with a 50khz for deep water.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Fish Finders

I have the matrix 47 3D. I love it. Use it in saltwater, no problems with it yet and it is performing great. The 3D views are just as good as the promotional pictures you see. Great for finding structure, holes, etc. I get perfect signal up to WOT on my boat which is about 39MPH. Also has multiple 2D views as well as the ability to interface with a GPS for routing, speed, trip, etc. I would recommend it. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[MichaelMullis]

Re: Fish Finders

Sorry for lack of info. I fish fresh water 95% of time to about 120', though most of the time the water is less than 60'. Salt water, inlets only, and then 2-3 times a year.I am getting my new toon today, and will be getting new FF sometime in the next couple of weeks.<br />Thanks for input Steve, I like the 3-D look but wondered if it was as good as the Promo's.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Fish Finders

It is. If it was crap I would say so, I'd be complaining up a storm since I paid $420 for the thing (which is actually a good price since it seems to be going for $499). Everyone who sees it in action is very impressed. Even the wife likes it and she has no idea what she's looking at, but she understood it was a graphic of the bottom. <br /><br />Lots of cool modes. You can view a screen that shows all six sonar returns independently, an automatic split screen bottom zoom view that has the full water column on one side and a zoomed bottom view on the other side, a full screen 2D view, full screen 3D view, a split screen with the 2D view on one side and the 3D view on the other, etc, etc. You can rotate and tilt the 3D view to any angle to your liking. Comes with the speed and temp sensor. If you have any specific questions about it I'd be happy to answer. <br /><br />Later,

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fish Finders

BaitKiller<br />For the depths you are fishing You do not need a 50 khz transducer unless you fish with down riggers and want to see your down rigger Ball. Out to 150 feet of salt water can get buy with a 300 watts RMS (2400 peak to peak). The Lowrance X102C would fit your needs in a color unit. In salt water to go deeper than 150 either need more power of and narrower transducer angle like 8 or 10 degree.