Portable Depth Finder

[OneWay]

I have a Canada fishing trip planned for this summer and would like to replace my current depth finder because the battery it uses is so heavy to pack in. I can never get more than 4 days out of my battery so I have to pack in 2 to get through the week. I have seen some that use D batteries and would be much less weight. We are flying in so I need to be weight conscious. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what you believe is a good portable depth finder. I don't want anything fancy, mostly just to know water depth, show vegetation, and maybe "plethora" of walleye if that should exist. Any help or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Sandmannd]

Have you looked at the fishing buddy's? I've used one and it's not bad.

[OneWay]

I have a Canada fishing trip planned for this summer and would like to replace my current depth finder because the battery it uses is so heavy to pack in. I can never get more than 4 days out of my battery so I have to pack in 2 to get through the week. I have seen some that use D batteries and would be much less weight. We are flying in so I need to be weight conscious. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what you believe is a good portable depth finder. I don't want anything fancy, mostly just to know water depth, show vegetation, and maybe "plethora" of walleye if that should exist. Any help or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Sandmannd]

Huh? Me thinks I'm seeing double here.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I've got a Lowrance X-67c with the Ice Kit. It's got a soft-case and 12v battery. I just hook up a skimmmer transducer for the summer and it works fabulously.

Don't know if that's light enough for you. I would still bring a back-up battery with.

[Nick Kuhn]

The problem with D Cell batteries is they don't last very long. I use an old Eagle II as my portable. Fairly easy to move but the entire package weighs ~15lbs. It'll tell you the depth, and maybe bottom structure. Once in a while it even picks up a fish.

Ever consider a rechargeable 12V source? Rechargeables are generally lighter and if you can get a wall outlet will last as long as you're there (if you remember to plug it in). Mine is modified with a cigarette lighter plugin that works well with my rechargeable source, with an easily disengaging connection allowing for use on a trolling motor battery.

[fishcast]

Flashers work great, really portable, durable, and the battery (think 12v in vexilars and marcums) lasts a long time. I haven't run mine down and timed it, but I have heard something like 20 hours maybe for one battery with vexilar brand flashers .

I have a FL-20 and use it in open water in the ultra pack case which is highly portable. I bought a puck transducer and used electrical tape and some zip ties that come with it, to hold it on a piece of hockey stick which I clamp on to the side of the boat with a quick grip clamp.

[T-water]

I'll second the Buddy. I think they're on sale at Cabelas. If I remember right mine uses AA batteries, can't remember how many but it's quite a few, but I think they last quite a while.