Another request for Fish Finder Advice

[zmartin34]

Greetings, first post, glad to be a part of the board. I hate to put you guys through this but I need some adivce on purchasing a fishfinder. I have used the search button but have a few questions. I have a 28' Formula that I fish off of Indian River Inlet, DE and out at most 20-30 miles offshore. Problem is the depths we fish are anywhere from 10 ft to 200 ft. I am looking to purchase a fishfinder and don't want to spend more than $200-$300. Alread have a GPS that I am very happy with. Any recomendations based on the varying depths that I fish? Thanks in advance!

 

[JB]

Re: Another request for Fish Finder Advice

Howdy, Zmartin.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />Congratulations, you may be the first first-time poster this week who has posted in the correct forum. <br /><br />Salt water? Ten to 200 feet? $200-$300?<br /><br />Does not compute.<br /><br />You could probably get by with an Eagle Cuda 168, but for that application I think you need a Furuno and dual frequency transducer.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Another request for Fish Finder Advice

Saltwater to 200 feet your right at the limit for a 200khz transducer.<br /><br />Cuda 168 In my opinion does not have enough resoultion or power for 200 feet. Power 100 watts RMS, 800 watts PeP. 168 vertical resoultion.<br /><br />Example My unit has 3000 watts PEP or 375 Watts RMS and to see bottom fish at 250 feet of salt water I had to go to a 8 degree 200Khz transducer.<br /><br />200 Khz transducer is good for Fresh water and Salt water down to as much as 200 feet. Any water deeper I would look for dual frequency units that also have 50 khz transducer.<br /><br />Check out the Eagle Sea Finder 480 5 inch, resolution 480 by 480. Power 500 watts RMS or 4000 Watts PeP. 16 shades of gray. $225<br /><br />Lowrance X126 DF 5 Inch 200/50 Khz<br />Resolution 480 by 480. Power 500 watts RMS or 4000 PeP. $330<br /><br />Garmin fishfinder 240 4.6 inch 200khz only<br />Resolution 240 by 240 Power 400 watts RMS or 3200 watts PeP. This is a single frewuency 200khz and lower resolution and power but also cheaper. $212