Fish finder suggestions?

[fishinaddict]

I have a little 12ft boat for fishing. What would be a good inexpensive fish finder that I could run off of a 12v or AA's?

[PerchJerker]

The Eagle Fishmark 320 and 480 are really good units for the money - not color, but really good (less than $200 for either of them). You could run them off a small 12 volt battery, like the gel cells guys use with their Vexilars and Marcums when ice fishing, or a off a regular marine 12 volt battery.

[BAIT956]

For a few bucks more you can get either the Eagle 320 or the 480 in a portable. Small 12v battery included. For optimum perfomance and avoid interference, you are going to want to have separtate trolling motor and depthfinder batteries.

You can use the unit for either fishing out of any boat or for ice fishing.

[Gus]

I think the Eagle Fishmark 320 was running about $150 in May. I bought one and am really impressed with is function. The portable kit might run you an extra $25. That will include a case to keep the ducer, D-size Batt compartment, and you can mount the unit onto it. I was able to watch my 1/8 ounce jig and minnow on the fishfinder while jigging on opener. I was plenty impressed with it's sensitivity, I've never been able to do that with my previous graphs.

It might be more helpfull if you have a certain price range you would like to stick to. I know there are people out there with cheaper units than $150 and if that is too much they might have to chime in on thier likes and dislikes.

Good luck, Electronics can be fun and fustrating at the same time.

[jbell1981]

I have a smaller eagle. Its a couple years old, but I don't know the model of the top of my head. I paid around $80 for it and it has worked well. My only complaint is the settings don't save, you have to reset them each time the unit is turned off.

*edit* It looks like it is an Eagle Cuda 178.

[Fishin4Life]

Watch for sales at Dick's, I bought my Fishmark 320 for $130 a few weeks back! Went to Gander to have it price matched and they couldn't believe the price, maybe watch for a sale there soon on them?!

[Axel's]

I have a new cuda 178 for $79.00. This comes with complete with transducer and water temp sensor.

[SomethingFishy*]

I also have an $80 cuda, tells depth and temperature. works fine iin our little 14fter. Tried the 320 and it worked well but just wasn't worth the extra $$$ to me. ASll I really use it for is to find depth.

[missedoneagain]

Quote:

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For optimum perfomance and avoid interference, you are going to want to have separtate trolling motor and depthfinder batteries.

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Is this true? I have the fisheasy 2 protable kit and was considering converting this to a boat only model. (Then I can get a new one for ice fishing ) I only have the one deep cycle though and was just going to hook it up with the trolling motor.

[jbell1981]

I have one 12v deep cycle battery and run both my depth finder & trolling motor on it. I have never had a problem.

[Mr. Pike1]

I like the Lowrance products but have found the Garmin 240 to be good as well. Gander Mtn will be having a sale for 15.00 of anything over 50.00 begining on June 19th. Joe's has a smiliar promo going on right now. I think is 20.00 off for product over 100.00

[Tonka Boy]

Hooking both together most often creates interference. It's much worse with flashers I've found.

[markkstanley]

Just buy a little 12v gel like the ones you use for ice fishing for your depth finder. They don't take up any room. If your trolling motor has a universal sonar then you don't need to worry about interference otherwise it can be an issue.