new fish finder

[speck hunter]

i am looking for a new fish finder that has fish ID.I am looking for info on different models,looked at hummingbirds,garmin200,but not sure about fish id.looking to spend about 150.00, please help me with any input on different models.i have a telex on boat but it is outdated,not sure about it.it works but not sure how to read it.

[CrappiePappy]

Speck ... pretty much any depth finder will have an auto fish ID. Most units of recent years have increased their pixel count, which negates the need for the ID setting, since you can now see & define fish & cover a lot better (but they still have the ID option in automatic mode). Bigger screen sizes are also a plus, as they keep more information in sight, giving you more time to study what the depthfinder is showing.

If $150 is your max budget ... you might be limited in what you can purchase "new". Add another $50 and you open up a whole lot more options. What you might want to do, that may help us determine what units will work for you, is to tell us how you plan on using the unit ... how you normally fish (what methods) ... where you plan on putting the transducer ... and what things the unit must have other than just the Fish ID (like color, gps, temp, speed, etc).

All the major brands should have a unit in your price range ... H'bird, Lowrance, Eagle, Garmin all have basic units that can be found for under $200. Refurbished & used units can also be found in that price range. There's just too many to list, without knowing exactly what you want it to be able to do & how you plan on using it.

... cp

[speck hunter]

i want to find structure,fish,depth. i would like to be able to tell fish is present.i troll some but consider myself a brushpile sitter.i have caught some nice slabs but still learning.i need one that displays structure so the average joe can understand,what hes looking at.i need suggestions,plus i need ideas which models would be easiest to use and understandwhat under the boat.looked at hummingbird 561looks good,also garmin 200 looks like its a solid unit looking for other opinios until smeone helps about good and bads of other brands

[mepperson]

I will be watching this thread because I too am looking for a new (to me) fish finder. I fish brush and structure with jigs, mainly one pole but want to do more spider rigging. I am looking for one to put up in the front on my trolling motor. I currently have a Humminbird Matrix 17, but they have been discountinued. I really loved that fishfinder. I've looked online at the Humminbird 560 and for the price, I have it on my list. I don't need color or GPS so I'm trying to stay under $200. Any other suggestions from experience?

[CrappiePappy]

Rofl ... the more "average" the Joe, the more technology needed !!

But, in your case ... what you're looking for is a basic 2d unit, on the order of the HB561. Any extra options that come with the unit, and it still stays within your price range, is just icing on the cake.

You might want to compare the features of the HB561 to a Lowrance Mark 5x. I'd stay away from the small screen units, even the color ones, unless you have limited space to place the unit.

If you're a brush pile sitter ... you probably have the unit mounted on the trolling motor. You need a 2d unit for most non-moving fishing methods, as they will give you a good picture without having to be constantly moving forward.

These basic units will require a little on the water use, over known areas, for you to become familiar with what the screen picture is actually showing. The greater the pixel count, the more easily identifiable what's down there will be. A 20deg cone angle will show a bottom circle about 1/3 as wide as the depth. (21ft depth = 7ft wide bottom circle) A 60deg cone angle will show a bottom circle that's roughly equal in width as the depth (21ft depth = 21ft wide bottom circle). But, you also have to take into account that the bigger the circle, the bigger the coverage area ... so what you see on the screen "could" be anywhere inside the bottom circle. And the "cone" of a 2d unit is exactly that .... a cone shaped coverage of the water column, that can only show on the screen what is within it's borders.

You might want to read thru & study this : Sonar Tutorial | Lowrance and it may help you in how to read & interpret what you're seeing on a depthfinder. It may also contain some good info that will give you a better idea of what unit you need, to give you the easiest picture to read/interpret.

... cp

[CatFan]

Fish ID lies. A lot. Especially over brush piles.

[Cane Pole]

No such thing as a fishfinder...

[mepperson]

I saw they sell the HB561 at Walmart with a fairly inexpensive price. Do they seem to be a decent unit? Anyone have and experience with them?

[Tracy Swanson]

Speck hunter check out the garmin 300 c i run it on the trolling motor and love it it is loaded with fetchers for the money i allso run a the eagle cuda 350 s its got g.p.s. its also a great unit for the money its so full of way points for brush piles and it put me right back on them ans it has saved my but more than one time in the fog