best fishfinder for the money?

[skeetbum]

The only reason I brought up exchanging the transducer for a TM mount because of all of the skimmers I've seen broken. We all bump syuff with the TM and the skimmers don't do well with that. Any serious questions on Humminbird stuff can be answered on the electronics and trolling motor section of this forum. HumminbirdGreg is a factory rep that will give you the inside straight on any of their products. I'm not familiar with the 550 model but if you can go from 20 to 60 degrees with the flick of a switch that would be a plus.

[rtark]

I just bought an eagle 320 at cabelas for $106.00. So far I like it. I have bought the high dollar ones before and never caught any more fish with them.I can see my sinker and both 1/32 oz jigs on it at 30 feet.
If they will show me the bottom and the cover and baitfish, I can figire the rest out. I hope they still have them on salefor you. Here is my setup for the trolling motor. I used that nylon plastic stuff and shaped it to fit the motor.

[Matt Smith]

Big D,
Everyone is partial to the units they are using. The best thing I could tell you is find a dealer that has both lowrance and birds and ask them to demo the units. Only then can you tell which one is for you. Turn the fish id Off, you want to see the arches not the little fish. After a while you will be able to tell what species of fish you are over. You can use a stainless clamp or the thickest plastic tie strap that will fit the ducer. I know this debate has been going on for many many years over the signal spooking fish. But I for one will not fish unless I see them on the lowrance. I have the bow unit set up for drop shotting and from 6' down with suspended fish to stumps to whatever depth, I actually see them bite the jig or 3" worm that I am using. Its like watching a video game. Sorry for jumping in on the thread but you look and then you decide.

I'm gonna have to throw the BS flag on that.

[NIMROD]

So can you get a good fish/dept finder for around $150.00? I will be fishing 5 to 18 feet. All I want is for it to see the drop offs, some structure, and a fish symbol.

I don't need to see great detail because I do like the feeling of the unknown to some degree. But finding ledges / dropoffs / large tree like structure / water temperature would be nice.

Also, I have an aluminum boat and would like to install the ducer on the inside floor.


D

Academy Sports has the Cuda 300 for 69.99 + tax. I bought one as I fish mostly stakebeds and brushpiles in a shallow lake. Works good and has tempature gage built in.
http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...177-00849-1092

[Countrytime]

I'm with Gabowman, hard to beat an Eagle 320 or 480 Fishmark depthfinder. Bang for the buck they are great. Lowrance and Eagle are so user friendly.

[Hotrod2]

I've got a 320 that I would practically give ya. It's what I took off and replaced with my HB 535, no comparison to me. I also own some higher end lowrance units an X-19C and an X25C and there fine but my 320 didn't cut the mustard. For the units under $200.00 stick with HB... While im on the subject I need an extra power cord and an extra transducer for my LCX-19C, I found the transducer on the lowrance website but I cannot find the power cord at all, they don't make it very easy!!! If anyone has any ideas please reply as far as to where I can find the power cord. Im not a member of the HB vs Lowrance group that S--T is childish, I JUST FISH!!!!! All help would be appreciated thanks..

[BigD]

Thanks so much rtark and nimrod. So many good ideas, and thanks for the pic.

I think I am going to order.


D

[jwz4]

EAGLE CUDA 350 S/MAP FISHFINDER/MAPPING GPS or the Humminbird 161 GPS Fishfinder which one would you choose and why?

[jwz4]

Which do you think is more important in a fishfinder GPS or Color?

[Redy2Fish]

I'm with Gabowman, hard to beat an Eagle 320 or 480 Fishmark depthfinder. Bang for the buck they are great. Lowrance and Eagle are so user friendly.

I agree with Countrytime and Gabowman. ONly problems I've had with my Eagle 320 were from my own ignorance. I downloaded the user's guide and solved that.