Which fishfinder should I buy?

[bvprice]

I am considering buying a fishfinder, but I don't know much about them. I would like to pay less than $500. I was thinking of getting a color model. I realize this will be mainly opinions, but any info would help. If someone knows where to get reviews for them, that would be great also. It will be mainly used is smaller northern inland lakes and resivoirs for walleye, pike, smallmouth, ect. I have a '96 Bayliner 30ft Ciera cabin cruiser that is already equipped with a chartplotter/GPS unit.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Which fishfinder should I buy?

I'm not an expert, but for $500, I would look at a Lowrance X102c. Lowrance equipment is easy to use and they have a good web site where you can "try them out". lowrance.com Have a great summer. A son and his family live in Gillette.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Which fishfinder should I buy?

Lowrance X102C for $550 is a good unit But also look at the Eagle Fishmark 500C for $400 and the Eagle SeaFinder 500C for $470.<br /><br />If you fishing shallow water (under 100 feet) then all these units are fine.<br /><br />The Lowrance X102C $550 has better resoultion (480x480) and more power (300 Watts RMS) Than the Eagle FishMark 500C. Still the Eagle is cheaper and has 320V x 240H resolution and 187 Watts RMS power.<br /><br />When you fish in deeper waters then Vertical resolution and Power are more important.<br /><br />If you are like most and never fish over 50 feet deep then any of these unit should work Good. <br /><br />As JRJ said both Lowrance and Eagle Products have product emulators you can down load to your PC and it lets you see how all the controls work just like you had the unit in front of you. Ofcourse the emulators have lots of fish on every screen not like the real world.<br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/Products/X102C.asp <br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCSoftware/Install/X102C/X102C_demo.asp <br /> http://www.eaglegps.com/Products/Sonar/fishmark500c.htm

 

[JRJ]

Re: Which fishfinder should I buy?

I see the X102c @ $460.79. Couldn't find it here though. May not have spent enough time looking.