Hate looking for new electronics.

[Carphunter]

Just found this forum. Figured I'd start rifling your archives for some info and ask some questions.

I think I have to replace my X60, so I've begun looking for a new setup.

Fshing that I do is usually confined to depths of less than 20 feet (I'm having a tough time thinking of the last time I was in water even 40 feet deep). Most of my fishing is in rivers and reservoirs. Most are fairly stained (not clear).

I'm hoping to get around problems I had in the past with the X60. Obvious ones were...in high spring water below dams...I had a tough time getting good image of anything but the bottom. Suspended particulate matter and other crud in the current I think pushed the thing to the limit. I had to mess with clarity and everything else to try and remove surface clutter, but I always figured I was removing fish, weeds, etc. To a lesser extent, I think this problem also appears in murky rivers with less current, but that still have lots of suspended crud.

So, now I'm looking.

Old prejudices die hard...but I think Humminbird is out of the picture.

From units I've seen, I'm thinking of a Lowrance x125, a Garmin 250, or Eagle 320 or 480's.

From quickie observation, the 250 had the easiest to read screen (in a store...not in sun), followed by the 480 and then the 125. Aside from that, I don't have much background on these suckers anymore, so my questions:

1) For the depths and type of water I fish, how much wattage is too little or too much.
2) What type of transducer would you guys be looking for (skimmer/puck, cone angle)
3) Any known issues with these units that would make you say "don't bother with this one?"
4) Any units I should consider instead? (I sort of considered the X51, X58, etc...but the menus looked like a pain to deal with)
5) On color units (like a 250C), is the unit's ability to discern fish any better than a tuned b&w with grayscale?

Well, that's enough bugging you for now. Thanks for your help.

[This message has been edited by Carphunter (edited 06-16-2004).]

[Surface Tension]

Before you buy you can download demos for most sounders to familiarize yourself with all their settings and features.
To get ride of the clutter you just have to experiment with the gain, surface clarity and noise rejection.
From what your usage would be any of the sounders you mentioned should do the job. I don't think you'll have any problems with sunlight with any of the newer models.
If your not getting a reading at higher speeds you'll need to adjust your transducer. You manual will cover transducer installation

[Carphunter]

Yep, I know that about the transducer...I just didn't know if I might be do better with a puck rather than a skimmer.

As for the rest of it...demos...either built into the finder or recorded off the net I think are pretty much best case scenarios and may not accurately reflect real world use. Some I'm pimping for info from people who already own these things.

At this point, I've pretty much narrowed things down to the X125 or 250. But I can't find anyone who's using the newer Garmin...just the older 240

[Guest]

Vexliar FL18 Flasher...

Lowrance GPS with Plotter...

------------------
Chells

[Surface Tension]

I suggested down loadable demo to familiarize yourself with the functions and menu layout. Whats not realistic about that?

If your fishing in 20' of water you have no use for the Garmin 250's dual frequency.
The difference between the Lowrance X125 and Garmin 250 are night and day. A closer comparison would be the X125 and the Eagle Fishmark 480.
As far as puck or skimmer transducer both can be mounted on a trolling motor but if your mounting on the transom you'll need the skimmer. Most cone angles are going to be 20 degrees but you'll find in the specs as being listed at 60, which is misleading because that would be with he gain cranked.
Ive used them all except got the 250, I don't know what to tell you other then what the specs are. The X125 has more watts then the 480 but your not going to miss the watts in 20' of water.

[Carphunter]

Sorry, wasn't trying to be a dink...

I was referring to the demos the unit's run themselves...wth perfect fish arches, etc.

Found the emulator for the Lowrance...now I'm looking for something from Garmin.

[This message has been edited by Carphunter (edited 06-16-2004).]

[Doonbuggy]

see my comments on the "fishfinder advice" thread - i'd steer clear of the 480 b/c of the weak power connection. had mine for five weeks before it crapped out.

compare the power connection of the 480 and the x125 or 250 and you'll sell yourself.

got the x125 and it rocks. i liked the 250 as well, but i couldn't find a johnny ray set up for it b/c the bottom of it is shaped like a hockey puck and i didn't want to hassle with drilling holes.

DB