Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

[Sloleak]

Ok..Ive narrowed it down to these 2 units..They are pretty much the same price, both have GPS capabilities. The Hbird has 640 vert pixels vs 480 for the Eagle. As far as GPS they both do pretty much the same things. The thing that keeps bringing me back to the Hbird is the Quadrabeam. I fish in water between 5-10 feet with some deep holes up to 50 feet. The 20deg cone angle at 10 feet will give me about 3 feet of coverage. The Quadrabeam will give me that PLUS 10 feet on each side of the boat respectively. Thats alot more than 3 feet. However the Eagle has a beeter navigation screen IMO and I like the main sonar display a little more. SO I need you guys to help me pick!!!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

These are the two exact units I narrowed my search down to a while back. You may also want to check out the Furuno 6100. I've heard its good, and its in the same price range. I didn't consider it in my search because I didn't even know it existed. <br /><br />I never did make a decision.<br /><br />Which one of those would you chose guys?

 

[Boatist]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Ever heard about a Eagle unit fogging up or looseing the bottom signal??<br />How about Hummingbird??

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

To answer your question, no I've never heard of either losing bottom signal or fogging up. They are both too new to have any feedback from.<br /><br />You can't judge something by the reputation of models that came before it.<br /><br />Look at Chevy, they used to be crap. Now they are much better.

 

[Sloleak]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Ill have to check out the Furno..Thanks for the tip...My main reason Im leaning to the Hbird is cause of the Quadrabeam..If it wasnt for that Id prolly go with the Eagle but now I have to check out the Furno!!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Sloleak, here is a little report on depthfinders. The Furuno is one of them, and it's the most recommended.<br /><br />That's exactly why I was leaning toward the Hbird as well, that quadrabeam really does rock. I operate in less than 10 feet of water most of the time, so its something I was strongly considering as well.<br /><br /> Depthfinder Report Click here Sloleak!

 

[Sloleak]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Thanks for the link!! That had some good info..I checked out the Furuno and it is pretty impressive. However the Matrix 67 is still in the lead due to the Quadrabeam coverage..I realized that the the 67 DOESNT come with the Quadrabeam only the 37 has it. So I spoke to a Hbird rep and he told me if I buy the 67 I could send him the transducer and he would swap me for the Quadrabeam transducer at no cost or shipping!! Pretty good customer service eh? The 67 has better GPS features than the 37 so basically I can get the best of both units in one!! Still deciiding though. My boat will be in next week so i need to decide soon!!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=27;t=000280

 

[Sloleak]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Thanks for the link..I already read that post..I think the newer models are of much better quality than the older units and the one I had for 10 years worked fine.

 

[Sloleak]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Well I decided to go with the Hbird Matrix 67 I spoke to Greg Walters from Hbird and he is going to swap a Quadrabeam for the Dualplus transducer so I can get the wide coverage..along with GPS features of the 67..Cant beat that deal!!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Sloleak, did you ever see one demo'd in person? I found the screens to be out of focus on all the new Matrix ones, from 15 up. I decided on the Garmin 240 Blue. It works good, but man that clicking noise is going to drive me insane.

 

[Sloleak]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Clicking noise?? Whats that all about?? I have seen the screen and it looked ok to me..

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Eagle FishElite 480 vs Hbird Matrix 67

Sloleak, look in the threads. I made a thread regarding just this.<br /><br />Yea, it's a clicking noise. Like someone tapping a toothpick on a table.<br /><br />I saw the Matrix's in person and that made me choose the Garmin. It's a great unit, but that **** clicking...