What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

[TheChad]

Hey all,<br /><br />I am going to be Purchasing a Lowe Fish n Ski FS175 in the next couple of months.<br /><br />I am not going to get their 'Fishing Package' With it as I've found its cheaper to get the Trolling motor and fish finder seperate.<br /><br />On that note. What is the best Fish Finder(s) for $200~? If possible please list why.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[Terry H]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

There isn't one...Chief

 

[JB]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

Electronics topic

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

eagle brother of lowrance makes a pretty nice finder the 480 is what i got and im happy with that and it should be under 200 bucks. Go check them out.

 

[TheChad]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

Originally posted by Chief 101:<br /> There isn't one...Chief

Ok... Then whats your suggestion?<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[TheChad]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

Anyone?

 

[golver]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

See if you can find a Garmin 160. They go for about $100-150 if you can find them. <br /><br />Garmin discontinued making the 160 and replaced it with the Garmin 240. They are both the same unit. The Garmin 240 goes for over $250, so the 160 is a good way to get expensive fish finder for a discount.<br /><br />Check around too, sometimes you can find the Garmin 240 for under $200. <br /><br />Garmin is a pretty deceint name. I did some research and could not find any complaints about the 160 or 240.<br /><br />Any one have any luck with the Garmins?

 

[Greenwing]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

I would also look into the Hummingbird Matrix, it has the ability later on to add a gps or connect a handheld. I have 2 lowrance and the matrix on the trolling motor which I strictly fish freshwater and usaully depths less than 20ft so far I havent had any trouble locating my stakebeds or brushpiles with the matrix.

 

[Boatist]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

I have to agree with Chief. You have told us nothing about how you will use your unit. The best depthfinder for someone that never fishes over 40 feet deep is not the best depthfinder for someone that fishes 450 feet of salt water.<br /><br />I think the best ultra cheap depthfinders are Eagle units. You can go to there web site and check out the units. Also you can download a Product Emulator and try all the function on your PC before you buy it. For water up to 40 feet you do not need a high resolution and a lot of power so you can find cheap units. As you go deeper then vertical Resolution and power become more and more important.<br /><br />Things to know Power can be rated in Peak to Peak or RMS. To compare units take peak to peak watts and devide by 8 to get RMS watts. Example 4000 watts Peak to Peak is equal to 500 watts RMS.<br /><br />Another thing if the unit says works to 800 feet, I devide that number by 8 also to get an average where you can actually see fish. What I am saying is unit is over rated. Yes you can see a solid rock bottom at 800 feet in very clear fresh water but if you want to see fish (Built like a stealth fighter) in normal water do not expect over 100 feet for even large fish.<br /><br /> http://www.eaglegps.com/Products/Sonar/FishMark320.htm <br /><br /> http://www.eaglegps.com/Products/Sonar/FishMark480.htm <br /><br /> http://www.eaglegps.com/Downloads/Emulators/default.htm <br /><br />I belive IBoat sell the Fishmark 320 for $178 or wall mart sell the fishmark 320 for $170.<br /><br />Unit will be Good For water 50 feet or less.

 

[TheChad]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

Boatist,<br /><br />Thanks for your input!<br /><br />I'd have to say the deepest i will ever go to is the great lakes. I don't know how deep it gets there.<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[DangerDan]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

Lake Mi. has several areas where depths of up to 900' can be found. On average on the southern portion depths average 120' to 160'unless you get out a ways. I saw an Eagle 480 DF for I think around $219. I fish Lake Mi. and Lake Erie as well and have an Eagle 320DF. I have been happy with it so far although for the most part you get what you pay for.

 

[DJD775]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

A Garmin 250 can be bought at tightlinerods.com for $203/$212(single/dual frequency). Right now there is a $25 rebate so that brings the price in under $200. Great unit for the money.

 

[TheChad]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

What's the difference between Single, and Dual frequency?<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[gss036]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

I just installed an Eagle 480DF, but have not had it on the water yet. Looks to be a good unit. There are 2 frequences, I think 50mhz and 200mhz. One for shallow andone for deeper water. <br />Look here.<br /> http://www.prosourcegps.com/gps/816/

 

[fishingdan]

Re: What are the Top (Best) 3 Debth/Fish Finder's for $200~?

Dual frequency have the ability to us 50khz and 200khz signals. The 200 gives you much better detail, but weakens as depth increases. The 50 give you lest detail, but is capable of much greater depths. <br /><br />If you are fishing freshwater and the depths are not more than a few hundred feet, go with a single frequency 200khz unit.<br /><br />Eagle units are good. The Garmin 250 is also very good.