fish finder recommendation wanted
 

Hey guys,

I'm new and was wondering if anyone could give me any input on fish finders. I have absolutely no idea what kind to get. Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Randy

Lowrance HDS-5 base model with fish n chip......I'm still figuring mine out but it is pretty amazing

Yeah this is the ultimate if you want to spend the $$$, you're looking at about a cool grand all said and done.

If you're not ready for that big of a leap, might I suggest:

Cuda 350/smap: Decent fishfinder for black and white, decent screen, good GPS capability, about $200.

Lowrance m68c/smap: Probably your best bang for the buck getting into color. Basically same thing as Cuda 350 but with color. About $300.

Lowrance Elite 5: One step under the HDS-5, about $550. If you are going all the way up to this level you should really consider the HDS-5 for a little more.


These are all GPS/FF combo units. If you want FF only you will save $100-$300 depending on the model.

Thanks. I googled the HDS-5 and well, it wasn't exactly what I was looking to spend. Of course everybody wants top of the line equipment, but not everyone (myself included) can afford or really needs top of the line equipment. I'm going to look into the options you posted. Thank you for your response.

Randy

HB 597ci HD DI
 

I got HB 597ci HD DI Combo recently.
Happy with it so far, enjoyed the X-ray like down image when I switch from normal scan.

On board GPS is so good, I don't use my handheld gps anymore.
Plan to add the fishNchip this week.

On rare occasion , my HB will meter only 20+feet instead of 100+feet of actual depth , but after a while it will adjust back again.

Don't know if this is normal on other make/model....?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hummi...h-All+Products

It's probably a super noobish question, but what is the "fishNchip" you referred to in your post?

Thank you,

Randy

FishNChip
 

Since I do not have it yet, I am not qualified to explain how good it actually is.
Someone may like to shed some light here.

This is the website:
http://www.navionics.com/MarineFeatures_FishNChip.asp

If you do not need the GPS then the Hummingbird 597c HD is a great unit.

640 x 640 color resolution, best you can get.

500 watts. This is what really counts. (Don't look at the Peak to Peak watts) look at the second number.

Waterproof

$399 at Cabellas, free shipping.


My .02

Matt

I tried to find that one on Cabella's site but I could only find the combo version with the GPS for $100 more. Is there any way you could post a link to that deal you're talking about?

Thank you,

Randy

hummingbird
 

i also have purchased the hb 597c hd di from this site: http://www.anchorexpress.com/Color-L...nders-s/99.htm it was the cheapest that i could find on the internet under $600. it also has the one that matt bought, but not as good of a price that he got, but close.
if you look at the cabela's site, look in the bargain section. it may still be there. or try the search feature it may come up.

if you don't want to spend or need these options then i would suggest the lowrance m68c. it is nice and adequate for fishing needs. i started off with the x67c model last year (if i had known about the m68c i would have gotten that one,) but decided that i needed something more or was it just size envy???? :rolleyes:

Don't gO for the black and white version that's the One I have I can't tell the difference between thE grey kelp the blAck smudge and the black arrows.

That's what I get for being cheapP

I have the hb 586c HD version with the Thrull Hull transducer mounted on my Outback. The quality is way better than the lowrance black and white I had before. Now I swear I can see the :wsb: giving me the :the_finger: salute when they go underneath me.
I was able to pick up mine off of fleabay for $230 shipped, it was a demo model. They usually are run $325ish.

go to your local Walmart. They now carry Fishfinder. under $100.
you are using them on a kayak that might flip over on you, so why spend lots of money. they work great. they are hummingbird brand.
good luck

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3.../Photo0679.jpg

this one is attach to a rod/clamp......if you plan to hang it on the side.... i saw this at the Santee Walmart.

BY far the best ff you can possible get is the eagle cuda 242, they stoPped making them because they didn't make enough money on them but you are in luck...... I am gonna give this sport up. After reading the darkhorses post and knowing I will never have that type skill. I figure what the hell it's jus not worth it. What this means to you is you will benefit from my kindness and let you buy mine for the low prices of $225.00 just pm me and we can set up the exchange.

Thanks for your mail .i am ok with you and Thanks for the quick response,so am okay with the price and their no need of taken a look of the pix again. becuase am far away from US so dont worry about the shipment i have a shipping agent that carter for my pick ups anywhere in the world.I will instruct my client to send you a cashier's check of US $4,000 so what you have to do immediately the check gets to you just deduct the funds for the item and send the excess amount to my shipping agent so that they can be able to pick up the item from you destination. I want you to forward me with your full name,address and cell phone number. Expecting your response back

Here is La Jolla on a standard chart page.
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/P6090521.jpg

Here it is on steroids (Fish N Chip)
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/P6090520.jpg

that's a big difference but I don't know what I'm looking at there. I don't know how to read those yet. Looks like I've got a lot to learn.

Thanks,

Randy

Wow ! Big difference !
Thanks for sharing.

My GPS now is the same as picture #1 : Nothing but the coastline and my waypoint . :rolleyes:

All depends on what you want to spend. I got my Cuda 350/smap from Cabelas on sale for $169. Sale is still going on too.

Like everybody else, I want to spend as little as possible but get the most bang for my buck. I guess I'm just looking to see what everybody is running and hearing the good and bad on those choices. I'm not in any real rush but would like to find one in the next week or two.

Thanks for the input, I'll check that one out too.

Randy

this is a good approach. when i started out last year, i got a middle of the line product. it worked well for me, got to see some structure below, depth, and temp readings. these are important information to have.
if i had not changed out my boat this year, i probably still have the sonar. but like anything else, once you get your feet wet you realize what you like and don't like. so have fun and learn what you can.
tight lines

Get a hand held gps, input your locations get there, enjoy fishning. Keep record of what you were doing and the surrounding. Spending all this money on (electrical)technology, wont catch you fish, but dig a hole in your wallet. :eek:



<TABLE border=5 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width=716><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>No. </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Name </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Area </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Coordinates </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>1 </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Point Loma Kelp </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>San Diego </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>32D 42.50'N. x 117D 16.30'W </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>2 </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Bird Rock* </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>La Jolla </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>32D 48.90'N. x 117D 16.57'W</TD><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>3 </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>La Jolla Kelp </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>La Jolla </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>32D 50.00'N. x 117D 17.50'W </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>4 </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Del Mar Kelp </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>No. County San Diego </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>32D 58.50'N. x 117D 17.00'W </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>5 </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Leucadia Kelp </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>No. County San Diego </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>33D 04.00'N. x 117D 18.65'W </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>6 </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Barn Kelp </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>Camp Pendelton </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>33D 18.50'N. x 117D 29.10'W </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



GPS SPOT
http://www.fishingnetwork.net/socal/gps2.htm

LOL.... that is some funny chit mang.:biggrinjester:

that fish n chip is sick.....shows all of the topography (bottom features)

what is the cheapest unit that you can put one of those chips in?:bigear:

Doesn't the Fish N Chip cost like another $200? I priced out the Navionics chip and it was pretty costly.

Those are 1 foot contour lines (changes in depth). The dark areas are a bunch of lines in a small area (steep slope). If you zoom in further they too become individual lines.

About $170ish if you shop around for the Fish N Chip.

:eek:

Guess getting mine for free with the purchase of my navionics maps chip was a good deal
(couple years ago)

I only have one slot in my Humminbird
and the map chip is in it

I think i will switch them next trip just to play around

Does it help you catch big fish?
because...
I'm way over due for one of those:D