Sonar uprgrade...or flasher...???

[LanceJ]

Howdy all. I'm thinking about upgrading my sonar unit to something a little better, or maybe adding a flasher instead. The unit I have now is a Garmin 140 with a transom mounted transducer. Its not too shabby for the money and it was my first unit. I'm eying up a Fishfinder 480...but here's the problem. Should I maybe keep my entry level depth finder with the transducer on the transom and add a flasher to the front of the boat? Or maybe pick up the 480, mount that in the rear and move the Garmin transducer to the trolling motor up front....can't decide. What do you think would be more beneficial? A significantly higher grade sonar to get a better lay of the land paired with the cheaper one....or my moderately OK sonar paired up with a flasher...? I'm leaning toward the 480 and maybe a flasher next year. Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Also, please take into account that I don't have ANY expirience with using flashers....this is why I'm leaning toward a better depth finder...thanks!

[Juan Grande]

Lance,

Do you ice fish? If so then the flasher would be a good purchase as they work awesome on the ice.

I just bought a Fishmark 480 and it's a great unit for the money. No color, but it's still worth the money.

Reading a flasher is simple once you get used to it and you'll get addicted to the real time viewing. Very easy to see bottom transitions and nice when you're fishing vertically as you can see how the fish are reacting to your bait.

Kind of depends on what your budget is and what kind of fishing you do. Most of the newer flashers cost more than $200 which is what you can get the 480 for. If you're doing mostly bass/northern fishing then you're not going to benefit from the flasher as much as you would fishing crappies or walleye.

[LanceJ]

Well....I fish for walleyes and crappies moreso than bass and northerns, but I don't do much ice fishing at all so I don't think it would be all that advantageous for me to buy a flasher. From what I hear the Fishmark 480 is very good bang for the buck. Right now a particular retailer is offering $100 gift cards for $80 each so I might have to bring a friend and pick up two of those. I could get the unit with a free travel case and the speed-o wheel for about $165 out the door.

My only concern at this point is the 480 a sound and solid unit? I've heard pretty much nothing but good things about it and the price is very reasonable.

[Juan Grande]

Lance,

I think $200 is a good price...$165 is a steal. Go for it!

[LanceJ]

Thanks for the input and advice Juan! I went back and I managed to find a Lowrance X-15 MT and got out of the store with it under my arm for $240! Sweetness.

[PerchJerker]

Sounds like you already got your unit, congradulations. My advice would have been to go with a sonar and skip the flasher, unless you were going to use the flasher on your boat and on the ice. I finally took the flashers off my boat 4 years ago and have never been happier - now they sit in the basement until ice fishing rolls around.