Recommend me an inexpensive but effective fish finder

[hardydk1]

I am thinking about getting a fish finder for the the front of the boat. It is wayyy to much of a pain to try to troll and watch for structure and fish, while having the only fish finder on the console of the boat.

What would ya'll recommend? Looking for one that reads good, but not trying to spend tons of money. Gonna do some more research, and then look at what ya'll recommend.
Thanks

[crappie4me2]

Here is good deal that Cabelas has on a good fishfinder GPS that is color.

7_021520_999_01
Shown: 597 ci HD Combo
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NEW! Humminbird® 597 ci HD Combo Sonar/GPS
• FREE Sonar Screen Cover with purchase of any Humminbird 500 series fishfinder - a $9.99 value. Expires Dec. 31, 2011.
Change Currency: USD Currency: USD
Regular Price: $499.99 Qty: Item: IK-021520
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Humminbird® 597 ci HD Combo Sonar/GPS
640V x 640H, 5" ultrahigh-resolution color TFT LCD display
DualBeam 200 kHz/20° and 83 kHz/60° transducer
Internal GPS
Navionics/LakeMaster compatible
Humminbird introduces a performance-driven fish-finding unit with powerful DualBeam transducers to mark fish in shallow and deep waters, as well as speed and water-temperature features. It is Navionics compatible and comes with a quick-disconnect mount. The front-side SD card slot lets you keep your options open for mapping and chart-plotting software downloads. Optional in-dash mounting capability as well. Humminbird’s 597ci combines an ultrahigh-resolution, 5" FSTN LCD display and a DualBeam processor with a 50-channel internal GPS. Accurate temperature sensor. Made in USA.Text Size: AAA
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Additional Information
Buyer's Guide

[FroggerZack]

Eagle 320 or 480 if you find one.

[rnvinc]

Eagle 320 or 480 if you find one.

I still have a 480 on the front of my boat for backup if the 1197 goes haywire...

[Talon]

Might look at a Lowrance Elite 5x or any of the discontinued Lowrance LMS 500 series units. If you are not concerned with color, the Mark 5x's (gray scale) are less than $200.

[hardydk1]

I am not worried about color. Greyscale is fine with me since it saves me so much money. I am looking at some of the sonar/gps combos and am surprised at how low some are priced. The eagle 480 looks nice, but I have read a good bit of negativity about the screen taking in water and fogging up overtime.

[Travleing man]

Might look at a Lowrance Elite 5x or any of the discontinued Lowrance LMS 500 series units. If you are not concerned with color, the Mark 5x's (gray scale) are less than $200.

+1 And also the Mark 5x pro has the option of 83khz and 200 khz (around 200$)

[The Country Toad]

last one i got was a humminbird 718 off ebay for 160 bucks. brand new. i have buds whove gotten the same deal off ebay. does exactly what i need for a bow unit.

[crappie4me2]

Also check out humminbird.com in the close out section.

[FroggerZack]

last one i got was a humminbird 718 off ebay for 160 bucks. brand new. i have buds whove gotten the same deal off ebay. does exactly what i need for a bow unit.

I ran a 718 for two years on the front of my last boat. I wished a hadn't let it go.