Fishfinders (again...)

[Out4Trout]

[cool]Sorry to bring up this topic again, as I'm sure some are getting bored with this. I've read the most recent threads on finders, but I just got a gift certificate for Sportsmans and am now going to finally get a decent finder (for my budget anyway). I've pretty much narrowed it down to the $200 or under club, and there's THREE finders that really catch my eye in that price area: The Eagle Fishmark 320, the 480, and the Humminbird 565. I'll be using the finder from a float tube and small aluminum boat in softwater, and also for icefishing.

My first question would be for those that have the Fishmark 320 does it also have the "realtime" feature where you can see your jig icefishing? If so, how deep can you go and still see it? I know that the 480 has this because CBR has one and I've briefly seen his, and it's pretty cool. Also, can the 320 pick up the perch on the bottom at places like Rockport and Jordanelle? Also, can you split the screen on this unit to show the realtime jig thing on one side, and the regular finder stuff on the other half? This feature is VERY important to me. The Fishmark 320 is the cheapest out of this group coming in at around $150-$170 depending on where you get it. Those two features are the most important ones to me, so if the 320 can do those two things (and do them well), then I'm probably going to save myself 40-50 bucks and get it.

I know that the Humminbird 565 can do those things, and that it's close to the Eagle Fishmark 480 in ablility with the only differences that I can see being that the Humminbird besides having a 60 degree cone angle (like the two Eagle models) also has a seperate 20 degree angle cone with the two cones coming together on one screen. Also the Eagle 480 comes with 640x640 pixels, where the Humminbird only has 320 horizontal pixels. I'm not sure which one of those two finders is best (although they both look great), but they both cost about 200 bucks.

Anybody have some more opinions on these three finders? I'd especially like to hear about the 320, because if it does all of the things I'm concerned with up above, I just might get that one now and not have to save for another month for the 480 or Humminbird 565.

Thanks in advance for your comments/personal opinions.
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[MGB]

Hi Geoff, both of the eagle fish finders you mentioned has the same features the only difference is the 320 has 320 pixels and the 480 has 480 pixels. They both have the same watts. If CBR can pick it up with the 480 the 320 should be able to also. I fished for years with an eagle that had 800 watts and 240 pixels and it worked fine and had th3e features you mentioned except when you got close to someone with more power they would over power me, I had to up grade this year. Can't speak for the Hummingbird but there is acouple guys who could tell you all about it.
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[doggonefishin]

I have a 320 and MGB covered most of the questions nicely, but I maybe can help on a couple more;

[size 1]1. "I'll be using the finder from a float tube and small aluminum boat in softwater, and also for icefishing"[/size]
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[size 1]I have used my 320 on my Fat Cat and have loved it. Works great. More details are available on the float tubing board for reviews and set-up options. I also am very pleased with it on the hard deck.[/size]

[size 1]2. "[/size][size 1]how deep can you go and still see it?"[/size]
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[size 1]On max sensitivity, I can see a baited rat finkie at 56 ft., which is the deepest I have fished with it. And yes, you can see the perch on the bottom easily. [/size]
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[size 1]3. "I'm probably going to save myself 40-50 bucks and get it." [/size]
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[size 1]For what it sounds like you will be using it for, the 320 will do great, and you will have $50 more in your pocket. When I shopped the 320 and 480, I couldn't see enough on screen differences to justify the extra 50 bucks.
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Mike and Barry, thanks a ton! I think I've got my answer now as to which one will be best for me. Good fishin'!
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[fishin4fun]

I'm doing a fly by at a hotel parking lot "mooching" off their wireless net. [crazy] Anyway, I can't type it all, but look up my posts on the Humminbird 565. I think it's the bomb over those others for the 640 vertical pixels (the important ones - LOL) and the dual beam. But it's the ultimate bomb for it's Real Time screen. It's pretty slick. Bigcat can tell you about his Garmin that is very similiar too. Gotta jet. Good luck and congrats on the new finder.
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Thanks, Kirt. I think for my tight budget right now, the Fishmark 320 is what I'd better get for right now. However, I do plan on checking out your cool finder when we go night fishing at 'da berry in a couple of weeks. We still on for that?
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[tuber]

Hey fishin4fun,

I am in the exact same boat as out4trout. I have some gift cards to sportsmans, but when I went to the one on Riverdale, they did not have any humminbird 565 models. I was just curious as to where you purchased yours.

I was also looking at the fishmark 320 and 340. But from what I have read, the humminbird is easier to see outside. the fishmark ones had an amber light. Still seemed like good finders though. There was a Lowrance X96 for $199. don't know a lot about it though. Anway, have you seen the humminbirds at sportsmans? thanks

tuber
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[fishin4fun]

O4T- I'm still planning on it. Gotta it marked down on the calendar, just need the final kitchen pass. []

Tuber- I ended up getting mine on eBay, but Sportsmans did say they would order it for me. Did you find one yet? I think Smith & Eddy's might carry Humminbird as well.

F4F
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[Bigcat]

F4F,
I want in on the night trip too.......Pick me, pick me! I'm not scared of the dark!
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