Thread: Depth Finder

Well I have a Garmin 160C on my rig thats right at 1.5 yrs old. Needless to say it went crazy back last summer and I have been putting up with it all through the fall while talking with Garmin hoping they could fix it. Well they arent much help so I have decided to go back to a Hummingbird or a Lowrance(sp?). Need suggestions on which one, what you got and how you like it? Dont want to spend an arm and a leg but a nice GPS combo isnt out of the question. I have learned good stuff aint cheap and cheap stuff aint good.

Have a look at the 597ci combo at J&H Marine or Hodges Marine .

I use a Humminbird 383c for the console of my boat. It is a combo unit and works very well. Small screen, only 3.5 inches but a good unit for the money. Somewhere around $350.00.

hey duck i just got a low. 520c for xmas. only used it a few times since, but i think im really going to like it. dont know if you want to spend that much dough

Have you sent that Gramin unit back for repair.

No, truth be told its got to be something simple, as it works but everytime you cut it off you have to go in and reset all your settings. Also if you get below 4ft the entire screen goes red. I use to get down in about 1ft area before that happend. Changed the transducer and it still does it. I dont like it near as much as the Garmin 140 my dad has so I thtink im going to just break down and go back to a Hum, or look into a Lowrance.

With these combo units, can you mark tree tops ect.. like on a GPS? I guess what Im asking is does it have a GPS built into it or will I still need to take my GPS along?

Originally Posted by duckkiller

With these combo units, can you mark tree tops ect.. like on a GPS? I guess what Im asking is does it have a GPS built into it or will I still need to take my GPS along?

Both of the H-Birds mentioned has the GPS built in with an option of screens for you to look at.

If you get a combo unit, try and find one that has a card slot so you can use enhanced maps.Many of the base maps that come with the machines aren't that detailed, and the mapping companies are always updating and adding new lakes. With the card option, you can keep your unit up to date also.
This time of year alot of sonar companies are introducing new products, hence last years units tend to go on sale at dirt cheap prices. I'd spend the next month scouring the internet looking for good deal. Cabelas just had a Lowrance LMS 480 combo on sale for $199.99. It was a black and white unit, but for the price it was great. I was looking for another GPS for my second boat, and for GPS use, I didn't need the the color. Unfortunately I didn't pull the trigger in time and they sold out. If you go to the Humminbird site, they have some on closeout now, although you might find them cheaper yet, on the net.

If you want cheap and good I suggest eagle 480. I love mine and its made by lowrance.Eagles web site has simulator downloads to view all their depth finders.