Fish finders, which ones to avoid or buy. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bajadog · 05-21-2008, 06:19 AM

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 · 05-21-2008, 08:27 AM

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 · 05-21-2008, 08:50 AM

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 · 05-21-2008, 09:03 AM

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 · 05-21-2008, 10:49 AM

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 · 05-21-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajadog

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

mg2969 · 05-21-2008, 11:06 AM

Well said Chris

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

05-21-2008, 06:19 AM	#1
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	Fish finders, which ones to avoid or buy. 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. __________________ Please release bill-fish.

05-21-2008, 08:50 AM	#3
mg2969 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach / Lakewood Posts: 85	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 __________________ Hobie Mirage Revolution Prowler 13 - Look ma no hands Last edited by mg2969; 05-21-2008 at 11:05 AM.

05-21-2008, 10:49 AM	#5
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	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.... __________________ Please release bill-fish.

05-21-2008, 11:06 AM	#7
mg2969 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach / Lakewood Posts: 85	Well said Chris Sorry re-read my post and corrected. I didn't do preventative maintenance __________________ Hobie Mirage Revolution Prowler 13 - Look ma no hands

05-21-2008, 08:27 AM	#2
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	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.....

05-21-2008, 09:03 AM	#4
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	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