advice on a good depth/fish finder

[MN-Hook Setter]

Am looking for a good portable fish/depth finder for trips into canada. Someone told me to look at bottomlines new 2255 for $280. Any advice on whether this is a waste of money or a decent little unit for these excursions. If you have any other finders that are suitable your information would be greatly appreciated as i hate to buy something and not use it because it sucks.

[eye crosser]

My first choice would have to be a Lowrance x-85.#2 x-75 #3 Garmin 240.Do yourself a favor an get a unit with a good pixel count-watts of power-grayline-easy to run-an easy to see.
Of all the units I have run,I really believe that the lowrance units are the proven best out right now.

[Ping]

i am also interested in the fishing buddies--do these thing work and if so how well--any info would be great

[Melonbob(ON)]

The choice between the X-85 or the Garmin 240 is up to the buyer, I've run both and about the only difference between the two is better lighting on the x-85, and about 150 dollars in price. If a light is worth 150bucks to ya, go for it. For the type of fishing I do, it doesn't. I have to disagree with Eye crosser on the x-75 though. IMHO it doesn't even compare to the Garmin....the power just isn't there....Tight lines

[LaneLunder]

If are looking for a portable for Canada trips, I would go the the fishing buddy. I used to haul a portable eagle to canada every year and I always had trouble attaching it to the boat to get an accurate reading. The suction cups stink!!
My freind started bringing his fishing buddy and thats very handy on trips when you can't use your own boat. Not a real detailed screen, and you can't use it at high speeds. But very easy to attatch to the boat when you know you are close to fish. Hope it helps.

[eye crosser]

I thought he wanted to buy a portable not a perm. mount for trolling on the Great Lakes!!! The x-75 has more than enough power to cover what he is looking for.

Whack Some Giants!!!

[Stormsearch]

I have been using a hummingbird portable unit for the last 6 years and have been impressed for their low cost, ease of use and not to worried about knocking it around in the boat. Would buy it over the fishin' buddy. Bought a transducer bracket that eliminated the suction cup deal and wouldn't be without it - can raise and lower it vertically, turn it, and also flip it out of the water like a trolling motor when beaching boat or when going out on full throttle. If I was to purchase a better quality graph I would get the top of the line and also use it for the permanent boat back at home.

[Mark Hennessey]

Excellent posts. A couple of thoughts for you to consider:

1. The X-85 consumes 3,000 watts of power which can quickly drain your battery(s). Unless you willing to pay the extra $$ for weight, you may want to consider the X-75 which uses 600 watts. Most likely, the water won't be over 65 ft deep anyway to notice any difference.

2. I've created my own portable case to use with my "permanent" fish finders. Simply, purchase a cheap plastic toolbox, or use an old tackle box. Mount a Johnny Morris clamp on the top of the box, attach your fish finder to it, and run your transducer on a 1x4 to the transom of the boat. Affix with a C clamp (My dad had a portable and his suction cup always came off anyway...)

This works great and I can use it for my boat and fly-ins.