Thoughts on a depthfinder $300 or less?

[fishingguy]

Time to replace the old eagle classic. Don't want, and really can't justify spending $600 or much more for a depthfinder. Any one have any suggestions on something decent quality reasonably priced? Likes? Dislikes? Thx!

[aanderud]

Do you have a GPS yet? You say nothing about whether you're looking for a GPS coupled with your sonar, but you do mention $600 units, which makes me thing you want a GPS.

I was on a quest to spend as little as possible and still get a reasonable set of features on a decent quality unit. I went with separate GPS and sonar units.

First, I found a discontinued model of sonar, figuring I could find them at clearance prices on the net. I looked for one that seemed to have reasonable reviews and was recently discontinued, so that it was still easy enough to find at good prices. Early last summer, the go-to model was a Lowrance x67c. I got a color sonar with temperature for $146 bucks shipped. The same units are roughly $185 nowadays, but if you aren't hung up on a particular model I'm sure that between now and open water season you can find something for $150 or less. This year, the "best bang for your buck" model might be something completely different.

Next, I wanted a GPS. I had a black and white H20 from Lowrance, but I wanted to upgrade to color. I found a good deal on an iFinder Expedition C Plus (basically the same as the H20 I was running, except it had a higher resolution color scren, a barometric altimeter, an electronic compass. This was $129.

So my total outlay for color GPS and color sonar was $129 + $146 = $275. Not bad, in my opinion. If you look around, you can find older lakemaster chips (2006, 2007, etc.) for $40 or so. That puts a complete setup at $315.

Whereas most people seem to want their GPS and sonar coupled, I like that they're separate. My GPS is now easily portable separately from my sonar (even easier than something like a Lowrance 522 because it can be operated on 2 AA batteries, versus a 12 volt deep cycle). Thus, I can take it in someone else's boat, use it in my car (though it really doesn't navigate), or use it ice fishing very easily.

I don't think I could find the same quality as the x67c/ExpediditionC on a $300 combo unit. On the other hand, if you add up the time I spent researching different units and looking for the best prices possible, you might actually say I spent more in the longrun than one of those more expensive models I was trying to avoid Of course, if I was spending more $$ on the expensive model, I would spend a TON of time researching to see that I was buying just the right thing...a viscous cycle.

[harvey lee]

Yes, you can find the older chips for $40.00 but more than likely, they will not have most of the HD maps. If one does not care about the HD maps, then they will work ok.

[Esox_Magnum]

I have found over the years Finders are not a place to cheap out on. 500 series Eagles Finder/GPS units are a great starting point. Can't comment on a HB they will never again grace their presence on my boat.

We run a Eagle 500C finder only on the muskie boat, while a nice unit my Eagle 1000C is 5x the units but twice the price and has GPS. If I was looking at new today I'd start at the $1000 range personaly, but then again fishing styles and time spent looking at one comes to play.

The difference in cheap finders over a good one is the cheaper ones may be no more than a bottom finder while a few $100 more gets you into a fish finder.

[fishingguy]

aanderud, thanks for your reply. I should have clarified, sorry. I do have a hand held h2o with a 2 year old chip. So really looking for a sonar only. Or a combo at a good price.

I've been out of the summer fishing game for a few years, bought a boat with the eagle classic on it. Since I've been out of it for a while I have no solid ideas of the latest and greatest electronics.

I used a figure of $300 as a starting point. More is possible, but less is better, and less hassle at home, if you know what I mean! Looking for the best bang for the buck!! THX!

[harvey lee]

I know the electronics do run alot but as many other will state, buy all you can afford.

There is a difference in the lower, middle and upper end units.

I just purchased a new Humminbird and was looking at the lower end ones. Then I thought to mysef, will I be happy with a 5" split screen and will I regret not buying the Side Sacn option.

I went the the larger one. That also means I have to purchase all new lake maps as my Lowrance will not work in the Bird units.

I am happy with what I went with.

[aanderud]

Yes, you can find the older chips for $40.00 but more than likely, they will not have most of the HD maps.

He wants a $300 sonar...at that price, it would likely NOT be an HDS setup. It should be obvious that I was not quoting "how to buy a high end setup for lots of money".

Sounds like he has a GPS already, so I will now voice my opinion on just a sonar. I agree with EsoxMagnum, the 500 series from Eagle is a great unit for the price. Also, look at something like a Eagle FishMark 640c. You can find some around, and again I think they're a discontinued model so they are usually cheap. I've seen the 640c for as little as 315 bucks on the net.

This has the same size screen as the 500c but a VERY high resolution. I think the 640c has 4 times as many pixels as a 500c has. (640x480 on the 640c versus 320x240 on the 500c).

[slurpie]

Dont know how soon you want it but end of season is coming. Last year reeds had good deals on lX-5

[Esox_Magnum]

You don't need a HDS to use chips with HD mapping, HD lakes are ones with tighter contours. I know its hard to put up a grand for a unit but we use our H2O's also and while they work a big screens much better. Reasoning we run our handhelds and big GPS unit is we use 2 different chips since each show the lake differently. Even the same chip shows different between the H2O and the big unit.

Again all boild down to what you fish and how much you need to see whats under you. My 1000C will mark a walleye laying on a rock the 500 wont.

[aanderud]

Again all boild down to what you fish and how much you need to see whats under you. My 1000C will mark a walleye laying on a rock the 500 wont.

Indeed, a 1000c is a nice unit....but seeing as it is priced even more than the $600 hypothetical price that the original poster said he did NOT want to spend, I didn't mention it or dozens of other models that cost $600 or more.

For a good budget sonar-only unit, you can get some lower end humminbirds, but I think your best bang for you buck is an Eagle sonar (500c, 640c, etc) or an out of production Lowrance. Eagle often times have much of the same technology that a lowrance has (since they're made by the same company) for less $$. Since the release of their HDS line, the old versions of Lowrance units have seen some GREAT sale prices.

Good luck with your buying. I would get the highest resolution, biggest screen you can find for your budget.

[raymondk]

what is wrong with the classic I have one and on most of tha shallow lakes with weeds it works better than a unit that i spent twice for without adjusting anything with some of the newer units you spend more time fooling around with then fishing . i still run both 1 in the rear and 1 in front , Also the classic always showed everything that matters baitfish rocks ect..

[delcecchi]

For the HD maps I think it depends on which lakes you are interested in. Some of the major lakes have been out in HD for a few years now. Others, not so long.

[DTro]

Give Dave a call at Pro Fishing Supply. Not only can he get you a good deal, he will steer you in the right direction as to what would work best in your budget.

http://www.profishingsupply.com/fishfinders/index.htm

I would say don't get caught up in spending $$$$ for things you might never use.

Spend only what you feel comfortable. You can get a very nice unit for $300

[Ed Carlson]

Time to replace the old eagle classic. Don't want, and really can't justify spending $600 or much more for a depthfinder. Any one have any suggestions on something decent quality reasonably priced? Likes? Dislikes? Thx!

There are some very good deals on Marked Down units now at Gander, like the Hummingbird 757 (A Sonar + GPS and card reading unit). For about $339, you can walk away with one, new in the box.

[BoxMN]

Check out the post I put in the Sales forum, good deal on a combo unit - Eagle 642c for $350.

[mamohr686]

In your price range it would be hard to find a better depthfinder/gps combo than the lowrance X-15. Lots of used models with the gps and ducer for less than $300. Just spend a little time on some online classifieds or e-auctions. They are greyscal,e but they read fish great and the gps is good.

[See yup]

That Hummingbird that was posted earlier is a great deal with many options and good customer service. I would not pass on that one if I needed just sonar or both sonar and GPS. You can turn either off and just use on- will resale better in the end also. my 2 cents.

Hummingbird the future of Fish Locators.

[solbes]

Just got a Cabelas ad with coupons.

Eagle FisheliteCl with 640x480 screen + GPS for mid 300's

Eagle Fishmark 320 B&W no GPS for low 100's

and Humminbird 768 B&W w/ GPS for mid/upper 200's.

I thought all 3 were a good deal, especially the last one. If you can't find the coupon, I would guess the store has them.

[fishingguy]

Thanks for all the tips and ideas. Can anyone tell me, the main differences between the low, mid and high end units? Other than the power, peak to peak, and pixels?

[solbes]

You got the main ones. More power is better for punching through cover, traveling at speed, etc. More pixels will help separate the walleyes from the bottom, better define structure, weeds, etc.

GPS is optional obviously, but is a huge plus. I lived with B&W for years and finally got my first color unit last fall, an HDS. That helps show the different bottom types easier (bright yellow for hard bottom). Bigger screens help if you split the screen or do a bottom zoom. They are also a big help with GPS so you can see where you are at from different spots in the boat.

Sometimes a dual frequency sonar can help; I sometimes use it to avoid cross interference between my bow and console units being on the same freq.

All is a compromise of course. I think there are plenty of good units in the range you're looking for.

[Northlander]

If you can do it go color. Makes picking up bottom hugging fish easier and really is nice to see depth changes and things like marker buoys etc. in true color.

[fishingguy]

Originally Posted By: fishingguy

Time to replace the old eagle classic. Don't want, and really can't justify spending $600 or much more for a depthfinder. Any one have any suggestions on something decent quality reasonably priced? Likes? Dislikes? Thx!

There are some very good deals on Marked Down units now at Gander, like the Hummingbird 757 (A Sonar + GPS and card reading unit). For about $339, you can walk away with one, new in the box.

Ed, that is a very good price. The 2 ganders

I was in this weekend didn't have that unit on sale. But one did have a 596c for $299. Anyone got a reviews on either unit? THX!!

[Shack]

Give Dave a call at Pro Fishing Supply. Not only can he get you a good deal, he will steer you in the right direction as to what would work best in your budget.

http://www.profishingsupply.com/fishfinders/index.htm

I would say don't get caught up in spending $$$$ for things you might never use.

Spend only what you feel comfortable. You can get a very nice unit for $300

I would call Dave Weber or e-mail him. He has a track record of great service and helping HSO members out!