New depthfinder on a budget?

[HOGEYE]

My old depth finder is on the fritz which gives me an excuse to buy a new one. I am on a budget and don't need GPS as I already have a nice H2O with the Lakemaster map. Color would be nice as well but isn't in the budget. I think what matters the most is screen size, resolution/seperation. I would like to stay around the $200 dollar range and have found that the Eagle Fishmark 480 and the Bottomline Tournament 480 both have great resolution which are both comparable to many high end units (resolution wise)with a larger screen as well. Does anyone know much about these units as far as pros and cons of either units. The Bottomline states that it has backlighting. Is this better than the normal lighting system?

Thanks!

[river rat316]

I have a tournament 320 from bottomline and for $100 for that unit, it is one of the best buys out there, its resolution is awesome (for the price range) and I have found it to be very accurate, Im gonna get a 480 Max for my console. I would love to be able to spend $500-600 for electronics, but I cant, and truth is most days they dont even get turned on cause I can see the bottom where Im fishing, the only time I use em is rare occasions when Im on a lake. For my uses and my budget Bottomline is topnotch!!

[andy j]

I hate to disagree with River Rat, But I would stay away from BottomLine. I ran a few units about 5 years ago and they were junk. Both only lasted a few seasons, then the garbage. There customer service is terrible and there reputation just keeps getting worse. I would reccomend a Lowrance or Eagle.

[cold one sd]

I have Fishmark 480 and I think it is a good sonar. It has very good resolution and does have a backlight which is the light in the screen. I have read some articles that say it is one of the best values out there.

[Northlander]

Bottom line has also been a problem for me as well as others I know. The fishmark is a nice unit in that price range.

[fishermn]

Look on the for sale forum, somebody had a Garmin 240 for sale in that $100 range. Its a decent unit, I have been very happy with mine.

[Swimmer]

I also think the Fishline 480 is a good bargain. But, I hooked up the Lowrance Ice Machine x67c to the boat and am floored at how much better it is with color! TFT screen in color is really easy to see from all angles and the target seperation is better. I will never go back to Black and white. I think x67c is around $200.

[mahannah]

The Eagle's are great units. Made by Lowrance. I've had a 480 for 2 years and its been a great unit. Great finder for the money.

[Down Deep]

Take a trip to your local shop and compare features of various models. Spend some time and read about the features each unit has. All units priced in the same range are not created equal. The Eagle Fish Easy 2 priced about $150 (cheaper on sale) seems to be a good unit.

[dillon]

[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again]

[Finns]

dillon; email me.

finns3 at stjoelivedotcom

Finns

[deadminnowcatcher]

Bottom Line has been a great unit for me over the years and i have found there customer service to be just as good

[HOGEYE]

Quote:

---

Hogeye, I have a Fishmark 480 that is hardly used - $100.

---

Please email me at [email protected]. I would definetly buy your unit. I didn't see your email in your profile.

[danlk]

ANY GOOD 3 COLOR FLASHER IF CASH IS TIGHT. USE IT ALL YEAR LONG. MORE AND BIGGAR

[DaveyG]

I have a Fishmark 480 and a Fishmark 320 and I am very satisfied with it. It marks the bottom. It marks the fish. And it holds the bottom even when I'm going up to 40 mph.

[Chubby]

I picked up an Eagle Fishmark 320 at Dick's last week on sale for $129.99. That there is the worlds best value in a depthfinder bar none!!!!! You can also get these new on hsolist for around the 140-150 range.