Raytheon

[Bulldog]

After much homework and whith my type of usage Ie 12-40 ft depth usually, I decided on a raytheon L365. now i just read some bad advertisement on the unit. Can i get some of the raytheon owners opinions? The 265 and 475(#?) units are all 240 verticle and use botha 50 and 200 khts freq. So all 3 models comments would be helpfull as far as performance.
Thanks,
Bulldog
also any non-drilling mounting options would be helpfull.

[Borch]

My 365 has spent more time in the mail and at the repair shop than I have been able to use it in my boat. I like the features, but have not been able to use them effectivley.

[CBahl]

I use the Raytheon 470 ALLOT and love it. Great product and I have never had a bit of trouble with any of my Raytheon units.

[buzzbait]

I have used the Raytheon stuff since the day it was Apelco. In my opinion the raytheon L365 is the best low end sounder on the market for the money. I have usd the L470 since I bought it last September- I has proved to be an excellent machine. hope it helps.

Buzz

[Bulldog]

Borch.. It was your other post that got me asking questions. i hope your experience was an isolated incident.
Thanks fellas.

[Den]

I have a 365 , and i did have a problem with it once, it was taken care of at no cost, and it was used an awful lot for musky fishing, i liked it enough that 2 weeks ago i bought another one for my other boat. they have made a couple of changes on the pin alignment for hook ups(thats where mine broke-a pin broke off). the unit is very accurate, and does what it is supposed to do, water temp, speed, trip log, and has never failed to work yet, except for the pin breaking off. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[Fish mojo]

I have a 365 I bought spring 2000. For the most part, it is a good unit for the $$. However, every once in a while, when I start the boat up, it goes into "Factory Test Mode". Push all the buttons, but I can't get it going. That really sucks when you just drove 200 miles to fish and you finder won't work. After fiddling with it for 20 minutes, it finally starts and works great all day (mark alot of fish, but no bites. Am I really seeing fish?) Anyways, I e-mail Raytheon customer support and they recommend sending it in for work. It is under 2 year warranty, but dang it!! I want it for fishing next week. Just my 2cents worth. It is alot of fishfinder for $200.

[Boatnut]

Den,
I have a LMS350A on the dash for main sounder but have the raytheon 365 mounted on the transom. I too, had a pin problem but shipped it back and they took care of it, no charge (it was out of warranty too). Nicest lower end unit I've seen and doesnt interfere with my 350.
Mike(boatnut)

[ND]

Have used one(465 Apelco) since they came out.
Not one problem.
Has all features and more of what I need.
Raytheon has good customer support.

[HM]

Have used an Apelco 465 for 1 year. It went back to Raytheon twice! Now have a Pinpoint 7520.

[hunts brook]

I love my 265, for the price its unbeatable. I use it in salt and fresh water. I had the factory test mode screen the first few times I started it up in cold weather. I emailed the tech support and got this reply the next day:
Extremes in weather and elevation can sometimes cause this condition. Do the following: loosen up 2 of the screws on the back of the case. You will feel a vacuum release. This will correct the problem. Then retighten the screws. DO NOT REMOVE THE CASE. The wiring is very intricate.