Fish Finder Question

[JAB2208]

Just bought a new boat-19' Sea Ray Seville and the fish finder on it is not working. Want to purchase a new one but have no idea what kind to get. I searched ebay but there are thousands to choose from. Figured I would post and see what info I can get. Thanks in advance!
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[Bigguyone]

What are you looking to spend? What kind of fish and what method of fishing do you most use?

Any certain features you are looking for?

As a generic answer before knowing the above I like the Lowrance 337 - just bought one myself.
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[Troll]

Yes more info please.
Some are better for shallow water fishing (wide angle) some are better for deep water fishing.
Some have speed and temp capabilities and some have built in GPS.
Humminbird, Lorance, Garmin and Bottomline all make fine units. (eagle is Lowrance)
I have a Humminbird Panorama with wide angle, scans 20' wide in 40' of water and indicates which side of the boat the fish is on by using 3 seperate beams. I love the wide beam but can set for the center beam only for deep water to avoid to much clutter from fish at the outside of the cone.
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[JAB2208]

Thanks for the responses and sorry for the lack of information. This is my first boat so I am honestly not sure what I am looking for as far as features go. I usually fish at Willard, Mantua, hyrum etc. I do plan on fishing Strawberry this year. I have always fished from the shore and occasionally trolling in a boat.

To answer the responses so far....Obviously want to get the most bang for the buck but budget is probably around 150-200. As far as method, trolling, casting lures and occasionally with a fly pole. Of the options I have seen listed I would definately want the speed, temp and the gps feature would be nice. Hope this helps. Thanks once again!
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[Troll]

For $200 you can get a good unit with speed and temp but not GPS. Get a Cabelas catalog, and West marine catalog. Read the depth sounder sections, good info there. Then hit Sportsmans and Cabelas to see what they have in your budget.

Lastly, what kind of unit is in your boat now and what have you done to see if you can get it working? Check power supply and transducer cable and connection first. Maybe you can get it going and get through the year with it.
If you have a digital camera post a pic of the unit, somebody on here may have one and be willing to give you a little for parts if you can't get it going. Spare transducers are almost always in demand.
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[JAB2208]

thanks again troll. I found this on ebay and it seems like a good deal. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. [url "http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-HUMMINBIRD-MATRIX-10-BUILT-IN-GPS-FISHING-SYSTEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38630QQihZ001QQitemZ110011055568QQrdZ1#ebayphotohosting"]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-HUMMINBIRD-MATRIX-10-BUILT-IN-GPS-FISHING-SYSTEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38630QQihZ001QQitemZ110011055568QQrdZ1#ebayphotohosting[/url]
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[Troll]

It will mark fish for sure. It's a good price. Less than a new prop or skeg.
You realise that the GPS is not included right? It has to be hooked to a handheld reciever to get the GPS to display on the screen. It will also need the speed sensor to give you speed. That's about $40.

It looks like it will do the job though. Good signal rate and good target seperation. That will help when you ice fish with it.
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[JoyRide]

Small screen and very low resolution for todays standards but it'll show you fish.

I believe a couple guys have better units for not much more money. I would buy the best unit you can afford.

Don
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[DennisW]

Just realize Hummingbirds are the lowest end in the fishfinder market.
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[Troll]

yeah and your the national expert on all depth sounders.

I've owned a super 60, super 30, lcd 100. lcd 360, panaroma, and now a 585 C. All performed as expected.

I've owned a Lowarance LMS 60, 180, 360, X 15 paper graph.

I have a Bottom line fishing buddy and owned a tournement wide screen model.
I've commercial fished with Furono, Rayathon and Garmin.

That's 30 years of depth sounders, flashers, and paper graphs.

You get what you pay for, bigger screens show more history, have bigger splits for zoom features and allow for bigger text to be displayed. They have nothing to do with what a unit detects.

Edit, Sorry for the attitude but it galls me when someone who offers nothing in the beginning comes in and simply slams what a person has choosen with no advice as what to buy or reasons for the slam.
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[JoyRide]

I agree .... a smaller screen will show you what you need to see, but for folks beginning to need bi-focals larger is better! [cool] (my finders only have 5" screens)

I have two humminbird units (Matrix 67 and 787c)and am very pleased with both units. Humminbird used to have a very low consumer rating and deservidely so. They have considerably upgraded their product. Check online and you will find they are now rated higher than Garmin or Lowrance on bang for the buck. You have to spend much more money for either of those brands to get the resolution of a good Humminbird.

I couldn't help myself .... this is another of those Ford, Chevy, Dodge discussions. []

Don
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[Troll]

Yes it is a chevy, ford, dodge thing.

Any depth sounder is better than none at all. 240 lines verticle is good enough. In 40 foot of water that is 6 lines per foot or a line for each 2". It will do.

I've never had a problem with any of my birds. I had 1 bad lowrance that went back 3 times before they replaced it with the newer model at no charge. I would buy either brand again with out hesitation.

The resolution on my Botline fish buddy is not good. I got it to travel with and for my tube. I've since adapted a better unit for travel and tube.
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[FishN2Dmax]

I can't comment on other finders, but I do have many years experience with Lowrance and Eagle finders. One of best finders on the market ( based on testing publications) was the old Lowrance X-85 and LCX-15MT. Both have 3000 watts of power and can be found on ebay in your price range. While both are considered as old technology by todays standard, they offer high power and excellent ability to watch your lure ( even at 100' depths). Some will say power is not everything, I strongly disagree!!! I have caught hundreds of fish by be able to see my lure/jig in relationship to the depth of the fish coming through. As the fish come into the area of the finder, I adjust the presentation depth and actually watch the fish come to the bait. Recently I have upgraded to lowrance high power color units which are easier on the eyes. No matter which brand you decided on, try to find a finder with at least 2400 watts p-p. Good luck.
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[DennisW]

My apologies for having an opinion counter to Troll's, whose renowned sonar expertise makes all others' experiences and opinions baseless.


Really Troll, get some help.
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[Troll]

You were asked for help at the begining, you offered none. You have still offered none.
By all means lets hear more than, That's the worst unit, if you have more.
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[DennisW]

I disagree. But then my ego doesn't demand that my opinion is the only one that counts.

Reading your tirade brings to mind Kent's postscript.
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[Troll]

By the looks of your posts all you know about depth sounders is that humminbirds are the bottom of the line in depth sounders, and that info is wrong.

We are still waiting for your words of wisdom and advice on what sounder to get. I never voiced an opinion, I stated what kind I had used, I stated that all 4 of the big makers were good. I said nothing negative untill you came in here with your opinion and no facts or advice.
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[BigBuck3333]

i got a bottom line tournament,with a trophy boat i bought and it dosent even compare to my lowarance. but that is just me the speed is as acurate as my gps thoough.
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[BearLakeMack]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]C'mon, guys. I think you've both said your piece. Breathe thru your nose and give it a rest.[/size][/black][/font]
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[petty4life]

there have been several posts about fishfinders on here and they have been archived on the Gear and Gadgets board you should check them out. [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?forum=129"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?forum=129[/url];


i meet a troll once and wasnt impressed. i think it bothered him[]
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