Re: Low end Fishfinders?
Bill I have not used any of the units you ask about and really need more information about how you will use it.<br /><br />In general 200 khz fish finder need power in salt water with a 20 degree transducer. As an example unit I use is 192 khz and came with a 20 degree transducer. I can see bottom fish out to about 150 feet, deeper than that all I see is bottom even with the sensitiveity turned all the way up. I belive my unit has more power than all the ones your listed. My unit is 3000 watts Peak to Peak or 375 watts RMS. If the units you listed have fewer watts at 200khz then expect less depth that you can see fish at. Do not think you will see fish at the depth they say it will work at. Note that it does not say you will see fish.<br /><br />Example Lowrance X51<br />Depth penetration to 800 feet* (244 m)<br />1500 watts peak-to-peak (188 watts RMS) transmit power. * Actual depth capabilities depend on transducer configuration and installation, bottom composition and water conditions. All sonar units typically read deeper in fresh water than salt water.<br />Since this unit is half the power of my unit and a higher frequency I will bet it will not see fish deeper than 75 feet in normal salt water. If that is all you need then go for it.<br /><br />Now there are thing you can do to help. Example my unit I installed a 8 degree tranducer in place of the 20 degree. With the 8 degree I can see fish out past 400 feet. This is like taking a light and putting a reflector on it to focus the light into a narrow beam. It is the same light but it will shine farther, but it will not light as wide a path or see as big an area on the bottom.<br /><br />Lowrance FAQ<br />At shallow depths (fresh or salt) does it matter if I have a 600 watt or 3,000 watt unit?<br />For most fresh water fishing - in depths under 200 feet - a 600 watt unit will meet most fishermen's needs, but higher power can help show small targets better and eliminate "noise" on the screen. Since saltwater is more dense, a higher output power is recommended for most applications.<br /><br /><br />Garmin Fish Finder 120<br />Power output: 100 watts (RMS), 800 watts (peak to peak)<br /><br />Frequency: 200 kHz<br /><br />Depth: 600 foot max depth*<br />* Depth capacity is dependent on water salinity, bottom type, and other water conditions.<br />This unit is 1/4 the power of my unit or good for about 40 feet.<br /><br />Lowrance X47<br />Depth penetration to 600 feet* (183 m)<br />True 800 watts peak-to-peak transmit power.<br /> * Actual depth capabilities depend on transducer configuration and installation, bottom composition and water conditions. All sonar units typically read deeper in fresh water than salt water.<br />Again about 40 feet.<br /><br />Eagle Cuda 168<br /># Depth capability to 600 ft* (183 m) with 800 watts of peak-to-peak power<br /># High-performance, low-profile 200 kHz Skimmer® transducer.<br />Again about 40 feet.<br /><br />Eagle Fishmark 320<br /># Depth capability to 800 ft* (244 m) with 1500 watts of peak-to-peak power<br /># High-performance, low-profile 200 kHz Skimmer® transducer.<br />About 75 feet.<br /><br />If you want a unit that will work in deep salt water then you need a unit that also had a 50Khz tranducer and 8000 watts peak to peak or 1000 watts RMS. Also nee a higher resolution.
