Need advice: cheap fishfinder

[idrb]

Looking for a cheap fish finder for a 10' inflatable RIB.

I was looking at the Eagle FishEasy 245DS. Anyone ever use one?

 

[boat1010]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

I am usually assured that you get what you pay for. I haven't looked at that particular one, but I would surly think that if you would spend a little money and get a pretty good one you would have something that will do the job you want it to do. Just my $.02..

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

This is true, you get what you pay for.
Some of the high dollar fishfinders have the very same power output only more gadgets that you mignt not need want so you have to compare power outputs, a basic fishfinder without GPS and other goodies is probably what you'll end up with.

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

Define "cheap" please...it's a relative term. What is your budget? That will help us to help you.

I have not used or researched the model you reference, but I recently researched and compared some other fishfinders in the $125-$175 range and may have a suggestion or two if that is in your range.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

Looking for a cheap fish finder for a 10' inflatable RIB.
I was looking at the Eagle FishEasy 245DS. Anyone ever use one?

I have not used one. However, this model has pretty good power, and resolution is ok even for an entry level unit... At about $100 I think you won't do better for the features. I have used the grayline feature on my Fishmark 480 and like it.

So in my opinion you would be pleased to own this unit under your criteria of "inexpensive" which is what I think you meant by "cheap."

 

[whofan]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

Looking for a cheap fish finder for a 10' inflatable RIB.

I was looking at the Eagle FishEasy 245DS. Anyone ever use one?

The Humminbird 565 is nice. It has the specs of the color graphs that cost twice as much.

The 565 is monochrome of course. They retail for around $199. a little above rock bottom cheap but quality at a cheap price.

The Eagle 320 and/or 480 are good choices under $200 as well.


http://www.iboats.com/FishMark_320_...5244858--**********.955704557--view_id.111239

This is hard to beat.

 

[idrb]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

I was looking for something inexpensive around $150 or less. The Eagle 245DS sounded like a good deal, so i will probably just roll the dice with this unit although I hear that paying a few extra green backs for color is the way to go.

What I would be using this unit for is lobster hoop netting and fishing in depths 10-150 ft. Right now it's all guess work with not being able to see the structure on the bottom.

I have a small RIB inflatable 10', so I'm not going offshore. I don't need anything extravagant, just a simple sonar.

Hope this helps with what im looking for.

Also, I have no battery power onboard. Would bringing along a motorcycle battery be sufficient?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

Cabela's has the Eagle Fishmark 320 for about $100 right now. They also have a small 12V battery on clearance that would work well for a fish finder, but it's kind of spendy. The battery looks like a UPS (battery backup) battery that you could get for $25.

If I needed a small battery to run just a sonar, and needed a battery, and charger. I think I would buy a small UPS, which contains a battery and is a charger. Remove the battery for fishing and reinstall the battery to charge it back up again. Heck, if it wasn't for the UPS not being waterproof you could probably just tap into the battery and leave the thing assembled and go fishing, then plug it in when you get home... Thinking outside the box a bit

(Oh yeah, the UPS would have to contain a 12v battery...)

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

Cabela's has the Eagle Fishmark 320 for about $100 right now.....

If you can get a Fishmark 320 for $100 BUY IT. I went with the 480 myself, but the 320 is a really nice budget unit and for $100 is a real bargain.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Need advice: cheap fishfinder

then there's always e-bay. i got a new garmin for christmas, and i already have a lowrance x65. but I'm going to move it to the front, and use the garmin in back.All I'm saying is some people may have upgraded, an you may be able to find a very good used unit, right in your price range