depthfinder question

[Gail]

I'd like to upgrade my depthfinder from a Garmin 160, and I'm considering a Garmin 240 and a Lowrance X-91. I've been looking at specs and noticed the 240 and the X-91 have the same number of vertical and horizontal pixels, so would expect them to have similar definition. But I noticed the cone angle is 60 on the X-91 (both Garmin 160 and 240 have 20 cone angle). Can someone shed light on which would be better? I usually fish (smallmouth primarily) with the boat in 6 - 30 feet of water, looking for humps, rock piles, boulders, and breaks. Also would like to be able to see fish on the bottom. Recommendations?

[targa2]

A larger cone angle will give you a little more field of view on bottom but a smaller cone angle will give you better resolution and a better picture of how hard or soft the bottom is . If you fish by "looking for fish" on the graph I would suggest a larger cone angle. If you tend to read structure more you would be better off with the narrow one.
Without trying to sound condescending I would judge by the experience level your question suggests you would be wise to try the Lowrance.Besides they make a phenomenal product and their service is great. Let us know how you decide.

[AT]

Transducer cone angles can be as hard to pin down as trolling motor thrust and actual engine horsepower. I think that Lowrance uses words like "up to" a 60 degree "effective" angle. Meaning that under ideal conditions the screen can show you objects far enough out to the side that it would take a 60 degree cone angle to encompass them.

I believe that when both the Lowrance and Garmin units' transducers are measured, apples to apples, at the half power point (the closest thing to an industry standard for cone angle measurement) they both have 20 degree cones. That said, Lowrance has a reputation for building extremely sensitive units with lots of manual override control and the latest models are supposed to have even more receiver sensitivity and better resistance to electronic interference so I don't doubt that you could see out 60 degrees under ideal conditions.

Still, if you like the Garmin 160 except for the screen resolution and are used to the way the controls work you might give the Garmin 240 serious consideration, too. Crank up its sensitivity and it, too, can see past 20 degrees under ideal conditions.