Looking for a new fish finder

[Fisher_dude]

My dad and I recently bought a boat that we are outfitting for some ocean/big lake fishing and I'm on a bit of a budget in the hunt for a new fish finder. It came with an old eagle finder but it'll read 700ft deep in 30ft of water. Its old to say the least. We had a newer piranha 150 sitting around that we received from a friend but it seems like it's content in not spotting fish and making lots of noise in the meantime. You get what you pay for i guess. I'm looking to spend up to about $600 at the most. Any suggestions? it'll be used in fresh and salt water. Don't think we'll need a Plotter yet either. But who knows.

Thanks
Matt

[Mi Chica]

HDS-5 is in that price range. Talk to the ladz at Harbour Chandler, they know their stuff.

[Peahead]

The HDS 5 is a good choice but higher than your max of $600 if you want a new one. Mine was $799 plus 12% tax and thats before any chart card.
Maybe consider one of the Lowrance elites as I think they are cheaper but check though as it really depends what you need as opposed to what would be cool to have.

[SeaWolf]

Given the Loonies value now, it is cheaper to order it out of the US. Being a Lowrance owner, I'd go Standard Horizon the next time though.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/LOWRANCE-HDS-5X-Fishfinder-w-Transducer-FISH-FINDER-/230649362635?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b3c5f8cb

[Striper Sniper]

Given the Loonies value now, it is cheaper to order it out of the US. Being a Lowrance owner, I'd go Standard Horizon the next time though.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/LOWRANCE-HDS-5X-Fishfinder-w-Transducer-FISH-FINDER-/230649362635?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b3c5f8cb

Hey SeaWolf, I thought you were a BIG Lowrance fan (like Cuba Libre)................... sure love mine, now that Lowrance replaced the original one.......

SS

[SeaWolf]

Hey SeaWolf, I thought you were a BIG Lowrance fan (like Cuba Libre)................... sure love mine, now that Lowrance replaced the original one.......

SS

I seem to remember your radar turning itself off in the fog, and then there was my black screen of death.

[Striper Sniper]

I was trying to forget that......... but it was the original unit. The new one they sent back works incredibly well..... I'm sure I will regret this for some reason though.............................. leaving for Nootka around 5ish tomorrow.

[Fisher_dude]

I heard their customer service wasn't the best?

[High Five]

600 range Lowrance elite 5 gold. Very happy with mine.

Smiley66

[SeaWolf]

How about this unit, Maps pre-loaded, built-in Fishfinder http://www.wmjmarine.com/40650.html, still need a transducer.

[Marsman]

I bought a Garmin 340C from the US for $300 about 1 to 1.5 yrs ago. I can read the bottom at 20mph and 700' deep. Have a good look at the 400C (New Version) there might even be a newer one that that.

Cheers, Rob

[Fisher_dude]

What do you think about the Garmin Echo 550c?

[sly_karma]

Island Outfitters in Vic has the Elite 5 gold with GPS card for $649. Not sure if that is with transducer or not.

[High Five]

It comes with it.

[Tyee Slayer]

My dad and I recently bought a boat that we are outfitting for some ocean/big lake fishing and I'm on a bit of a budget in the hunt for a new fish finder. It came with an old eagle finder but it'll read 700ft deep in 30ft of water. Its old to say the least. We had a newer piranha 150 sitting around that we received from a friend but it seems like it's content in not spotting fish and making lots of noise in the meantime. You get what you pay for i guess. I'm looking to spend up to about $600 at the most. Any suggestions? it'll be used in fresh and salt water. Don't think we'll need a Plotter yet either. But who knows.

Thanks
Matt Matt, check out the buy and sell section on this forum, Big Red Snapper has what you just might want, tell him who send you and ask for a discount.

[Fisher_dude]

I've been trying to keep an eye on that forum but forgot to check it. Thanks for the heads-up. I sent him a message. Just waiting for a reply.

[Seafever]

A couple of years back you couldn't get any body to touch a Lowrance Fishfinder with a ten foot pole.
Now they're all the rage.......have they improved significantly?

All I see in the posts on sites is frustration with them not working properly and/or you have to keep upgrading the software etc........even on the ones north of a thousand dollars.

I'm taking a good look at Standard Horizon myself.

[cargs]

What do you think about the Garmin Echo 550c?

i was wondering the same, it looks like a decent midrange finder. anyone have it?

[Peahead]

"550c is the top of the line unit in a new series of moderately priced fishfinders targeted directly at freshwater anglers
Pretty narrow screen size at 2.9" wide.

http://www.marine-electronics-reviews.com/garmin-echo-550c.html