Fish & Depth finder for Xmas

[Fisherman's wife]

I would like to get my husband a nice fishfinder for Christmas and have no idea what brand and model to choose. We usually fish for Muskey, Walleye, and sometimes panfish. I need something portable as we don't own our own boat and usually rent one for the 2 weeks we stay each year. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

[Rog]

Lowrance X85 is on sale at reeds right now for 299.00, that is a very good deal on a great unit. They make a portable kit for that unit if need one also.

[Backwater Eddy]

For a ready to go self contained unit I would take a look at the Vexilar Boundary Waters LC-10 or the Vexilar FL-8 SLT Pro Pac.

The LC-10 weighs only 2 1/2 pounds with batteries, Powerful enough to find bottom in 400 feet of water, but can run a full week on a single set of eight AA batteries.

http://www.vexilar.com/lc-10.html

High Visibility LCD Display
Fully Automatic Operation
One Button Zoom Zone
One Button Backlight
One Button Fish ID
Instantaneous "Flasher" Mode
Internal Battery Backup Saves All Settings

Specifications
Frequency - 200 kHz
Beam Angle - 22 Degree
Power - 400 watts peak-to-peak
Display - 64 x 64 pixels
Sounding Rate - 750/Min. Max
Ranges - 5' through 400'
Voltage - 8.5 - 15 Vdc
Current Draw - 50mA (100mA w / Backlight)

If your husband also is a ice fishing fanatic consider the Vexilar FL-8 SLT Pro Pac with the optional suction cup transducer mount. He will have a great 4 season self contained unit with a battery & charger. A very good option in my opinion as it is ready to go anywhere anytime you are.

http://www.vexilar.com/fl8slt.html


Hay that's what I would want under the tree if I didn't already have one.

:)


Hope this helps.

[Curtis]

Ditto on x-85 at Reeds, if it is in the budget, that finder is by far the best bang for the buck.

Regards,
Curtis