Suggest a fish finder for me.

A little background.

I have never used a fish finder before. Would only be using it on a canoe. Can't afford to spend a bunch of money. Would use it on small lakes (90-150 acres). Don't expect the finder to be able to identify the species and weight of each fish.

I plan to slowly paddle around the small lakes and locate structure and depth changes. Accurately marking fish would be a bonus. Guess I also have ideas about sinking some structure in the future and coming back to fish it later. I have a handheld GPS.

My plan is to put the battery in a toolbox, or dry box, and mount the finder on top of the box. Will carry this to the canoe and put it in front of me.

I'll etiher look for a used unit locally, or buy a new one from Bass Pro.

Looks like most manufacturers make a unit that is less than $100. (Garmin Echo 150, Piranhamax 175, Lowrance X-4 Pro) Would these work for what I want to do?

Is there a significant improvement if you go up to something like a Humminbird 561, or Lowrance Mark X-5 Pro?

I have read that getting a color unit can be a big improvement. For what I want to do, would it hellp that much? You can get a color unit (Lowrance Elite 4X HDI, or PiranhaMax 195C) for less than $200.

The DSI images I see are pretty incredible. The Lowrance Elite 4X HDI with DSI looks pretty iimpressive for this newbie. Color, dual imaging, and track back for $200.

Probably $200 is my max limit. Would the $200 unit be that much improvement over the $100 unit, or should I just use that extra $100 to buy a trolling motor?

Sorry for the long post and all the questions.

Trevor

Save your money. There is no such thing as a fish finder.

Call Brian at BBG Marine and pick his brain. Great prices and service.

At that price, you are probably looking at 2D sonar, black and white. For a bit more, you can move to color with DI. The difference between the two is like the difference between the inside of a giant cave with only a candle and being outdoors on a bright sunny day. With 2D sonar you will see blobs. Blobs might be a brushpile, a big ball of bait, a school of crappie, or even just bubbles. With DI, that blob will be something you can probably identify....if it's a tree/brushpile, you can see every branch and even see fish holding on branches. If it's a ball of baitfish or a school of crappie or even a mixture of the two, you will be able to see that also. In my opinion, it would be worth it to save for a while and get the best unit you can. Use the handheld GPS to mark spots where you catch fish, or feel brush when you are fishing.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input.

I will call Brian and see what he says.

I'm in no hurry to buy a unit. Will also keep my eyes open for a local, used unit.

If you can stretch that budget just a little...you can get into the world of 2d and DI in the same unit...(and color display also)...

This has the benefit of seeing both technologies side by side (or 1 above the other I'm not sure)...to aid in learning how to interpret what the images are displaying...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psh6cbbekb.png
OVERVIEW
346c DI | 300 Series | 409020-1

The 346c DI features a brilliant color 240H x 320V 3.5" display with LED backlight and Down Imaging Enhance and advanced DualBeam PLUS sonar with 4000 Watts PTP power output. New for 2013 is the ability to turn 2D sonar off while in full screen DI view and get twice the number of DI pings.
Price: $249.99 (MSRP on the HB website)..

Our board sponsors can even beat that price...

http://www.humminbird.com/Products/346c-DI/

Use your handheld GPS for marking brushpiles...

Rickie

I have a Piranhamax 220, since discontinued. It has the dual beam sonar technology and it does mark fish below and around the boat. Yes, I use the fish symbols. Gray scale screen. For about $100, its hard to beat the PMax units. It is a base unit and performs the same functions as the more expensive units. For your purposes, it should work great. I use mine on lakes of all sizes, 300 acres to thousands of acres. Won a few local Crappie tournaments with it as well. Humminbird also sells a PMax unit that attaches to the side of the boat and is removeable. I believe it is called the Fishin Buddy. The main feature you want is Dual beam sonar. The sonar will read a circle the same as the depth of the water. If your in 10' of water, it will display a 10' circle. 30' = 30'. Single beam will give you considerable less information and will need to be on top of the fish to see them. Humminbird has a section that explains the beam technology. Worth the read.

This is single beam 200kHz ...it has a 20° cone...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...sideimages.jpg

This is Dual Beam...it has a 200kHz 20° cone and a 83kHz 60° cone...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...reenshots1.jpg

Like Hanr3 mentioned...the wider cone available in the Dual Beam units makes it easier to find brush and fish...simply because it covers more of the water under the xducer ...

Rickie

Thanks for the information. I have been doing a lot of research, and have learned a lot.

No doubt I would be much happier with a color, DI unit, but I have decided to go a cheaper route right now. This morning I found a Humminbird 561 locally for $50. Nothing wrong with it. The guy just bought a newer unit. I won't get the color or DI, but I will get the dual beams.

I'll make this portable so I can use it in my canoe. If I really get into lake/crappie fishing, I'll try to upgrade next year.

Now I am going to research the best bang for your buck battery options. I read that lawn mower batteries are a good option.

Again, thanks for all the info/help.

Trevor

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rthensley

Thanks for the information. I have been doing a lot of research, and have learned a lot.

No doubt I would be much happier with a color, DI unit, but I have decided to go a cheaper route right now. This morning I found a Humminbird 561 locally for $50. Nothing wrong with it. The guy just bought a newer unit. I won't get the color or DI, but I will get the dual beams.





I'll make this portable so I can use it in my canoe. If I really get into lake/crappie fishing, I'll try to upgrade next year.

Now I am going to research the best bang for your buck battery options. I read that lawn mower batteries are a good option.


Again, thanks for all the info/help.

Trevor

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Trevor, don't know if you have Academy close but noticed today in the paper here they are selling the Lowrance Elite 4x color unit for 100.00.
Check Cabelas Here is your best bang for the buck in a small battery. No acid to spill and charger for price of good mower battery.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...h-All+Products

No Academy anywhere near me.

But, looks like I have found my battery and charger. Thanks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rthensley

Thanks for the information. I have been doing a lot of research, and have learned a lot.

Now I am going to research the best bang for your buck battery options. I read that lawn mower batteries are a good option.

Again, thanks for all the info/help.

Trevor

---

I use a riding mower battery in my boat for electronics and other accessories. I can run the unit all day and barely drain it. Key thing about batteries is the type of battery. An automotive battery is not meant to be drained. Draining it will shorten its life span considerable. A deep cycle is meant to be drained and works better when you drain it down and recharge. Most boats have at least one of each. One for the motor (auto type) and one for the trolling motor. Which one the electronics on depends on who is doing the install. Being that your in a canoe and not drawing much, I'd go with either the riding mower battery or an ice fishing battery.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c....aspx?a=806439

Note: That was the first site that had a picture. I don't know anything about that company.

Hanr3 is correct I've used a small 12volt 7.5 amp hr battery for my fish finder sonar for yrs. they are $20 a $40 bucks at a stores like battery plus. I used a HB 570 for several yrs and got to the point I could call the bite pretty regularly . I've been fortunate enough recently to upgrade to the big boy 1199 but I assure you a smaller cheaper unit will serve you well and teach a lot . You are doing the right thing go smaller found out how much you enjoy the fishing then keep trading up if this is your thing . Good luck good fishing

I ordered the battery and charger from Cabela's. Should be here tomorrow.

Will probably be a couple of weeks until I get to test the unit (and my canoe). Really looking forward to getting the fish finder equipped canoe on a lake and seeing how confused I can get. :dono

You could probably get a much better unit buying used on e-bay, but you may have to study up a bit on each unit to see if it fits your needs. I wouldn't waste your money on a new $250 one myself. You can get one used that will do exactly the same thing on ebay for a fraction of that. down imaging on cheap units is basically useless, my fishing partner baught one. try to just get a good used color lowrance and you should be happy finding your sunken brush piles. Since you have a gps you really don't need to shell out the money for a gps unless you get a deal on a used one. I used my handheld for marking brushpiles on an 18000 acre lake and had no problem, but is a whole lot easier if there is a map in front of you with the icons on it directing you to the spot, if you can swing it. If you decide to upgrade. I didn't read the whole posts I had to edit, but you saved a bunch of money buying used and they last forever.

For this small of a lake, I'd think an underwater camera would work really well.

$129!!

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...uctId=12811053

The 8-amp battery will work fine with a HB 561. I used one successfully with a HB 575, but when I upgraded to a HB 1197 it was nowhere near enough to power the big color display. The 575 would go two days on a fully charged battery, but the same battery lasted only 2 hours with the 1197!