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Thread: Choosinga fish finder on a budget

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    Default Choosinga fish finder on a budget


    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
    "WISHNIWASFISHN"

  2. #2
    Cray's Avatar
    Cray is offline Crappie.com 2019 Man of Year, Supermod & Moderator of the Mechanics Forum * Crappie.com Supporter
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    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.
    Proud Member of Team Geezer
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    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.
    "WISHNIWASFISHN"
    Likes TN. WATERSHED LIKED above post

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    CrappiePappy is offline Super Moderator - 2013 Man Of The Year * Crappie.com Supporter
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    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

  5. #5
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    rnvinc is offline Crappie.com 2016 Man of the Year * Member Sponsor
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    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
    Last edited by rnvinc; 02-05-2014 at 11:08 PM.
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    Getting Di AND 2d is the way to go. The HB above looks like a great deal. That screen is really small though.

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    PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
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    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!
    "WISHNIWASFISHN"

  9. #9
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    Choose something with the largest degree of cone angle for shallow water.
    Moderator of Beginners n Mentoring forum
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  10. #10
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    Here are the 2d cone angles and DI fan angles for the 346ci DI...



    Rickie
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