Fish finders, which ones to avoid or buy.

[bajadog]

Sorry if this topic is old already.

I am looking at spending around $120 on a new fish finder.

Do most come with the transducer?

There are a lot of hummingbirds I see out there, a few Cudas, but
I have not seen to many garmins, or lowrances.

I imagine the ruggedness and water proof factor (JIS 7 or 8) would be
a feature to look for.

Which brands are to be avoided?

Thanks all.

[dorado50]

The $120 ones! Just kidding..... Cudas work pretty good as well as hummers. I think the main objective for a fishfinder on a kayak is to locate bait and give one info on bottom depth and structure. I'm spoiled I like the colored raymarines.....

[mg2969]

i just crapped out my cuda 242
which I picked up for $49 on a double clearance last year at wally mart.
The connector just didn't seal up all that well and i didnt do preventive
maintenance on it. The latter probably being the real cause. I believe Lowrance and Eagle are the same company ?

I liked it. I ran it on 8 - AAs, so that was kinda kewl.

Just purchased a Garmin 140.
I liked how the connector after being seated screws down in place.

The humminbirds just seem to click in place

MikeG

[Holy Mackerel]

Be sure to pick up some Dielectric grease to put on all connections... save 15% now!

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...-Grease/Detail

I have a Lowrance Eagle Fish Easy II that still works great, I dont think you need to spend a lot of money, but just need to take care of what you have. Be sure to store your FF upon launching, and landing, I dont care if it is La Jolla 1ft surf... I bought a small dry back, I just keep in my hatch...

I currently upgraded to the Garmin 178C GPS/FF internal antannae, and love it. I had some issues, but Garmin Customer Service was quick to send me replacement parts, etc. and this probably was due to my neglect and corrosion of saltwater.

I got mine off one of those GPS Discount sites, but if I had to do it over again, I might just go to West Marine and get their 3 year warranty. However, on a lower end unit, I probably would just be careful, and not get the WM warranty... Then again, I am coming up on 3 years, with relatively no problems... Moral of story, just take care of your sh*T!

chris

[bajadog]

Thanks Chris, MikeG and Dorado.

What does the different colors on the color FF tell you? Density?

Chris POST again quick, your count is at 666....

[Handymansd]

Originally Posted by bajadog

Chris POST again quick, your count is at 666....

[mg2969]

Well said Chris

Sorry re-read my post and corrected.
I didn't do preventative maintenance