Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

[hostage]

I have been looking for a replacement depth finder for my boat and I noticed the really simple depth finder display cost more than fish finders that come with a transducer? This bewilders me, I would like to replace my broken depth finder.

-Hostage

 

[robert graham]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

Overton's and Cabela's catalogs has some simple depth/fish finders in the $89 to $120 range. I bought the Lowrance X50 for $120 and it's fine for my purposes.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

I have been looking for a replacement depth finder for my boat and I noticed the really simple depth finder display cost more than fish finders that come with a transducer? This bewilders me, I would like to replace my broken depth finder.

-Hostage

My guess would be simple competition / supply and demand. There are probably 5x as many companies making 50x as many models of fishfinder as there are making simple depth finders.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

If it has a "Marine" application it automatically gets a premium price. Lots of players in the fishfinder market and therefore lots of competition. There is "economy in numbers" so the more that are built the cheaper they get.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

Overton's and Cabela's catalogs has some simple depth/fish finders in the $89 to $120 range. I bought the Lowrance X50 for $120 and it's fine for my purposes.

Correct and if all you need is a digital readout of the water depth, these will work just fine.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...uck_Transducer&str=depth+sounder&merchID=4005

If one thinks $100.00 is "so much" for a depth sounder, boating is not the hobby for you.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

It's like anything else..you simply get what you pay for. And, if you'll think about it, the less you pay the more it costs.

 

[hostage]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

Correct and if all you need is a digital readout of the water depth, these will work just fine.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...uck_Transducer&str=depth+sounder&merchID=4005

If one thinks $100.00 is "so much" for a depth sounder, boating is not the hobby for you.

The cost isn't important, It just seems odd that you can pay the same amount and get so much more. I guess I might be getting a fish finder soon.

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

What do you think of this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-fish-finder-94511.html

$39.99

Description

Take this portable fish finder with you on your boat, a friend's boat or use from a dock.

■Shows depth, bottom profile, and fish size
■Backlit screen for day or night viewing
■Sound alert
■Adjustable sensitivity
■Range: 0-100 ft.

Runs on four AA batteries (sold separately).

 

[Hank496]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

What do you think of this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-fish-finder-94511.html

$39.99

Description

Take this portable fish finder with you on your boat, a friend's boat or use from a dock.

■Shows depth, bottom profile, and fish size
■Backlit screen for day or night viewing
■Sound alert
■Adjustable sensitivity
■Range: 0-100 ft.

Runs on four AA batteries (sold separately).

IMHO if you are buying a depth finder for more than idle curiosity, i.e. to know where the bottom is so you don't hit it, then spending $60 more for a reliable name brand depth finder makes sense. Let's face it, I don't know of too many props you can buy for $ 60, and I know for sure there aren't any $ 60 visits to the prop shop.

But to answer the original question, in addition to the other posts, I also think it is a situation of there being a basic threshold cost for the technology of building a sonar transmitter/receiver & display and the incremental cost of more features becomes marginal. Once that happens the volume of one vs the other takes over. Also don't forget fish finder technology can also go into big bucks. I have a buddy with a tuna boat that has over five grand in underwater electronics between displays and transducers. I have one tenth of that in a depth and temperature only LCD Raymarine display.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: Why do simple depth finders cost so much?

I have been looking for a replacement depth finder for my boat and I noticed the really simple depth finder display cost more than fish finders that come with a transducer? This bewilders me, I would like to replace my broken depth finder.

-Hostage

Just think how much it would cost if the manufactures wern't paying $1 a day for Chinese labor instead of good ole American labor union wages! Uh oh, I think I just opened the wrong can of worms!