Need help to select proper fish finder

lifeisfun

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
304
Hi folks,
I'm looking for fish finder ( up to $250)
Fishing on river 2-60' and small lakes.
There is so many to choose from that my head spins.
Please help me to find the right one :)

Thanks
 

John_S

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2004
Messages
4,269
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

In that price range, I don't think you will find any significant performance difference, especially for the depths you are planning. I think it would come down to the screen. You will need to choose between small color or larger grayscale. Color will be easier for someone new to sonar. I would prefer having more data on the larger grayscale screen. Nothing like a trip to the sporting goods store to get a feel of what your screen preferences are.
 

lifeisfun

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
304
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

Thanks
I had Cuda242 before and never ever seen any fish on it
It was great for finding structures and so on but that was it :)
 

beerfilter

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
305
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

You will happier with the large screen gray scale displays , IMO .
FWIW , I have a Hummingbird 535 that I'm quite happy with .
The screen is easily viewable in direct sunlight , and , in lowlight conditions .
It shows great bottom detail , and , easily shows the location of the thermocline .

My only regret is not having the scratch for that side-imaging unit , lol .:D
 

lifeisfun

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
304
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

I ordered Humminbird 575. I hope I like it :)
Should I leave the transducer on the transom or try to glue it to the hull ?
I have Yamaha G3 V167C boat
 

John_S

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2004
Messages
4,269
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

Looks like an excellent choice for the money. Enjoy!

I have never mounted a sonor to shoot thru hull. My fishing boats are aluminum. I'd try to see how well you can get it to work before perminently glueing to floor. The multi-beam sonor may be more problomatic for thru hull.
 

lifeisfun

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
304
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

G3 is aluminum as well. It is tempting to try. If it works it
would be less problems in the future.
 

John_S

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2004
Messages
4,269
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

Well, they must of improved the sonars allot side my old 400TX. You couldn't shoot thru aluminum, only fiberglass hulls. Keep us posted on how well it works.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,750
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

You might be able to find a Lowrance x125 locator for under $250, or just above that price.
It is the most/best locator you will find.

I was able to get a new one for $229 (non retail packaging).

Also, new units on ebay for $279, used from $150.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,750
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

You can get an Eagle Fishmark 320 for about $225.
It is very similar to the x125
 

beerfilter

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
305
Re: Need help to select proper fish finder

I ordered Humminbird 575. I hope I like it :)
Should I leave the transducer on the transom or try to glue it to the hull ?
I have Yamaha G3 V167C boat
Mount it on the transom , as you will lose some sensitivity shooting through the hull .

I mounted mine on a piece of 1/4" thick plastic I recovered from an office chair armrest . :cool:
I bolted the plastic to the hull,and mounted the transducer bracket to the plastic .
Now I don't have to drill more holes through the transom if I change transducers .

Someone had a thread about this on this board , just to lazy to search at the moment . ;)
 
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