Best graph for $500 or less?

[bmc2b]

I just bought a lund 1700 Fisherman with a 140 johnson. I plan to do ************ fishing and was wondering what the best graph or graph/gps would be for it for $500 or less. Also planning a minkota 65# AP. Thanks.

[f1sh1nfool]

I like the lms-480 with gps. I don't know if it is the best, but it fits my needs. I've seen them on sale at Reeds or Thorne bros for 529 or 549. jus my .02

[hitthebricks]

I've got the LMS 480 too, you will also need the Navionics Premium to go with it, but it brings GPS and contour maps to a new level and the sonar confirms depth and tells you whats below you with fantastic separation.

[18 inch Crappie]

lowrance all the way check out the 100c or 330c both color and one has map\gps. Or go with two X-125's one up front, when you get your Minkota get the one with sonar. Otherwise you have a cable laying around and a transducer hanging down from your motor..

[joshb]

anything lowrance with a color screen.

[hitthebricks]

How is the color screen in direct/bright sunlight. Rodger @ Joes bait talked me out of a color screen a few years ago by showing me a side by side comparison. HTB

[joshb]

never had a sunlight issue with mine?. i think they've improved the screens in the last few.

[Scoot]

I'm with HTB on this one all the way. I know some color graph owners will get upset with me on this, but I firmly believe that the color is not worth it for those of us who aren't lake trout or deep sea gurus. I'd suggest looking more at pixels than color. Color graph owners will disagree, but I know a ton of guys who are walleye and other fisherman and most generally agree- color is cool, but not worth the extra money.
I can already hear the arguments and disagreements coming...

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[andy j]

The lowrance X125 for $299 are by far the best value. The color units a are nice but these units are over priced, the next few years these units will be much more affordable, X125 (480 pixils / 2400 watts) $299, X100color (320 pixils / 2400 watts) $499. You are paying $200 more for color, and less resulution, X125 are very comparable to the expensive X15's (I think $800) when it comes to performance if you are not looking at GPS. AJ

[bmc2b]

How about the Eagle Fishmark 480? How does that compare to the x125? Has anyone tried it? Its about $100 cheaper.

[andy j]

the fishmark 480 is a good unit for $200, the main differece between the two is the fishmark has less power 1500watts, does not have digital reel-time flaser, and the plugs are not the same quality as the lowrance. The X125's plugs are much more durable and will last longer especially if you take the unit on and off your boat a lot. Worth the extra $100. Oh you also get a face cover with the 125 and don't with the 480.

[bmc2b]

Can you get the x125 an icefishing transducer and battery while leaving the original transducer on my boat, if so, how well does the x125/135 work for icefishing, especially with the digital flasher mode?

[andy j]

IF you want a unit for openwater and icefishing you should go with the Lowrance X67c you can buy it in the icefishing pack for around $400 and then all you would need to do is buy a highspeed transducer for it. I have the unit myself and it performs very well open and ice. I would believe that you could get a icefishing transducer for the 125 but I am not sure if the 125's can handle very cold weather, the 67's are designed for winter use and don't slow down in really cold weather.

[Chad711]

x67c

You wont regret it...

[Guido]

Cant go wrong with the Fishmarks 320, 480