I'm thinking of replacing my current sonar, which is an old Eagle from the mid-80's. It works, it's just kind of crude and only good for figuring out depth.

Can I get some opinions on some units under $400? I don't want to put any more into my old boat than that. I like high resolution. It would be nice to have GPS capabilities, but I don't think I'll find it at that price range.

Opinions?

Forgot to mention - I am looking at the Garmin FishFinder 240. Anyone out there have this unit and want to comment?

Thanks.

I have a 160 & a 240. 2 things about them; #1. when they work they super. #2. After you buy one, cut out the factory in line fuse holder and put in a good quality one, as it will save alot of silly trouble shooting.

I got the new Zercom that looks like a paper graph but it's a LCD, and I love it. It has great detail and is the best working graph I have owned, there have been 7. I got it from Reeds on sale for $200.

Spend just a bit more money and get the Zercom LPG 200. Reed's is blowing out a bunch of them really cheap. Give him a call.

Tom B

I'd recommend getting a HumminBird fish finder with a wide-side transducer. The wide-side really helps find the baitfish and where there are baitfish, there are usually Muskies. I have a wide-side and it really helps to minimize the time spent on dead water. Good fishing.

There are many things that I'll allow on my boat, but here are 3 items that don't make the grade .#1 is a moterguide #2 is a quantum or other zebco product #3 is a humming bird and stren line. wake up and see the light x85x85x85x85x85x85x85x85x85x85x85x85x85 and so on .


good hunting

mike


www.hummingbirdssuck/.com

I would have to agree with Mike, don't
waste your money on a Hummingbird, they
are junk. I have two X85's they are the
best unit for the money........just ask anyone who owns one.:)

X85 is the only way to fly.Big difference in a 75 and a 85

Raymarine makes a 265 and 365 in your price range. They are absolutely the best units I have ever owned. Nice definition, good auto and manual capabilities, and tons of features. Also has a flasher mode that I use alot in the weeds.

Ballistic
www.muskiefirst.com

Thanks to everyone for their input. Unfortunately, my old fiberglass tri-hull doesn't have a lot of room for electronics. Therefore, I am forced to look for a unit that is roughly the same size as my clunker.

I really like the Zercom LPG-2000, but it's just too big to fit my boat. The 160 doesn't do anything for me. From what I've researched, the Garmin 240 has the most bang for the buck, plus it's about the same size as my current unit.

Thanks again!

I know some people don't think much of the Humminbirds, but I love mine. Why? With the wide-side transducer I can see things that can never be displayed on a conventional down transducer, no matter how high a quality the unit it. When you're on the water, ask yourself this: "Are there baitfish 60 feet to the side of the boat?" Imagine how valuable that would be. Many a time I've been working down a breakline or drop-off and spotted a school of baitfish and/or Muskies out in deep or in shallow water, casted to the area, and caught Muskies.
A wide-side unit can allow you to:
1. Locate baitfish easily and quickly, even in shallow water.
2. Often locate Muskies - even in shallow water.
3. Easily position the boat near structure.
4. Locate structure changes like inside turns very easily.
5. See the bottom just like any other bottom view fishfinder.

Think about it. How many times have you been working an area and gone right by Muskies and schools of baitfish that you didn't even know were there? And what would you do if you knew those fish were there?

Here is a link to the unit similar to what I have on my boat. (My fishfinder is an older 1995 model). Check out the wide-side screen. http://www.humminbird.com/hb_Products.asp?ID=80#

Good fishing all.:)

I did some research and came down between the X85 and the Garmin 240. The Garmin offered the most bang for the buck. However, I think you would be happy with either unit.

I love the unit. I always run in split-screen mode where one side is the full water column and the other side is zoomed in to the bottom 10ft of water. Nice feature. Great definition.

I rented an Aquaview for two days to compare what I was seeing on the screen to what was actually down there. It really helped out and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Good Luck!

If your really looking for the most bang for the buck, you should look at the Raytheon 265. I've never owned one myself but a friend has one and I'm really impressed with all it has and how well it operates. The best sonar for the money is an Interphase Advantage. Why? Because I own one of course:)

Everyone likes something about the sonars they invested in and have gotten to know. The most important thing is having the ability to run it in a manual mode, really know how to balance power and sensitivity, and interpret what it's displaying.

Even a Hummingbird operated properly is a good unit. But you'll never catch me owning one again. I don't care if it reads fish on the Moon.

You might check with the manufacturer of the product you decide on for a reconditioned model. Some of them offer the same warranty for those and they cost less money. Humminbird does offer this. Check out the Sonar Tutorial on the Lowrance site. It has good info. in helping you pick a model. I have it on my links page.

http://www.muskiekid.com