BottomLine Fish Finders

Do the BottomLine fish finder's compare favorably with Lowrance and Garmin ? I'm looking at getting one their top of the line units, but they're expensive and want to know if it's worth it. Thanks....

[Atomic Eye]

A few years ago, I was in a boat that had a Bottom Line. It seemed to be fairly accurate on marking its location (i.e., track) on a split screen by GPS. The speed seemed to be very accurate too. I haven't had the other manufacturer's units in a boat, so I can't help you with that comparison.

What is the price of the unit you're considering? I had a recent post on how much us guys spent on our sonar units. It surprised me how much we invest in our "fishing glasses."

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[Got One]

Catch & release, I have a Bottom Line HR and have used it for three years.I use it strictly as a sonar unit only because I have a chartplotter also. I'm dissapointed with the sunglare,backlight, and speed is off by quite a bit. I do like the wide screen and split screen options, plus the sidefinder. Overall I've trolled and drifted and caught alot of walleye using this unit. BUT I think its time for me to switch to a color lowrance unit. Just my opinion,hope it helps you decide, Good Luck!!

[chamookman]

C&R- I`ve been running a HR for 5 years now. Great unit- no problems. Also use it as depthfinder only, have a Garmin 162 right next to it. Have been playing with the new 5100 at Gandermountain- gonna have to replace the 1200 on the bow of the Pro-V with a new one!

i have a bottomline ive had it since 96 its a tournament leader sidefinder 3 i like it its got all the good stuff on it.....


"If it doesn't have teeth and a white spot on it's tail, I don't want it in my boat"

I'm still running a Tournament 310 from 1984! It works excellent. Large read is great also and the zoom is great as well. I had to replace the transducer once, but it was still good to go. However it is finally beginning to have problems with the selector knob, light and contrast. it is time for a new one. Bottom line offered me a trade-in deal on new ones that took a hefty amount off the price. I will be taking them up on it.

i also have the 310...replaced the prototype 300 way back in early 80's...the 310 only sees fish fair...nothin close to my lms350 but the lms was twice the price and it is no longer sold by lowrance...both units have been reliable...lms does everything i want a graph/gps to do...steve

I've got a tournament champion and tournament sidefinder. Great units. Resolution is tops.

Scott

[Box]

I've got a 211f very old school :) but it still works, even after the power plug broke off, and I soldered it myself to get it back on the board. Now on my pontoon and running great!!!

I also have a Tourn Champ HR, and it worked great until it blew up (I think from a wiring prob in my boat) and I haven't sent it back to get fixed.

The contrast in Bottomlines (at least my two) is HORRIBLE. That is the reason I am not going to pay to get the HR fixed. I like the unit, but when you spin around and are in the sun, you can't read it unless you change contrast - - and you can't see to find the command to change the contrast, becasue the contrast is so bad. I would have to turn it off and on again just to find the controls to change it.

But the resolution and features were great. If anybody familiar with BL support can answer, do you know if I sent it in if this would be fixed with any update, or would I just get the same poor contrast again? People have told me their BL is not like this, but on my two and others of the late 90's that I have used, they are HARD to read. Maybe there is update that fixed this, and if so, I would send in for repair. Otherwise, I prefer Lowrance, and have never used Garmin but hear they are nice.

Good luck,
-Box

Originally Posted by catchnrelease

do the bottomline fish finder's compare favorably with lowrance and garmin ? I'm looking at getting one their top of the line units, but they're expensive and want to know if it's worth it. Thanks....

i have a bottomline tournament310 and im lookin to find the powercords that go with that if you know of anyone that wants to sell just the cords please let me know@4045747801 thanks so much,kim