Choosinga fish finder on a budget

[jclark835]

Could y'all help me out with choosing a fish finder. I have a budget of around $200. I mostly fish in water 10' or less. I would appreciate any help y'all could offer. I have already looked at several units, but I really don't know much about them to begin with. Thanks

[Cray]

Find one in your price range preferably color. Just 2d is all you really need. Humminbird,Lowrance and Garmin all have good units in that range that would do you a good job.

[jclark835]

Thanks. I was thinking about going with a lowrance unit this time. I've had two hummingbirds over the last few years and I was never thoroughly impressed with them. Is there a specific model that anyone has had good luck with.

[CrappiePappy]

If I was always fishing in water 10 feet deep, or less, I'm not sure I'd even bother with a fish finder.

2d broadband sonar is only going to show a bottom circle about 3ft wide.
Down Image would do better, but still limited to a small path of water ... and it's not going to give good images at speed less than 0.5mph
Side Image would be best, but $200 ain't gonna get it. (and it would still have to be moving to produce good images)

If you're just looking for a "depth" finder under $200 ... look at :

Lowrance X4 b/w 2d sonar
Lowrance Elite 4 DSI color down image
Lowrance Mark 5x DSI b/w down image
Lowrance Mark 4 chartplotter/depth finder combo
HB PiranhaMAX b/w
HB 500 series units b/w

But, I couldn't even begin to tell you which one would be the best for your purposes; just giving you some options to look over.

... cp

[rnvinc]

The HB 346c DI will give you 2d and DI.....in a color screen...for just a little over your budget...

The other units in that price range are 2d or DI...

http://store.humminbird.com/products/600667/346c_DI

Our board sponsors can beat that MSRP...

Rickie

[MonteSS]

Getting Di AND 2d is the way to go. The HB above looks like a great deal. That screen is really small though.

[satdoc1]

Check these out:http://www.crappie.com/crappie/showt...-Depth-Finders

[jclark835]

This is why I ask for y'all's opinions. Y'all really know your stuff. Thanks for the help. I checked out the hb with 2d and di, and I believe that's my ticket. Very much appreciated fellas. I got myself a brand new boat for the first time and I want to set it up right without going overboard. Again, thanks to everyone!

[NIMROD]

Choose something with the largest degree of cone angle for shallow water.

[rnvinc]

Here are the 2d cone angles and DI fan angles for the 346ci DI...



Rickie