07-06-2009, 05:14 PM
It all depends on not necessarily WHAT you can or can't do with a $100 one compared to a $400, but how nice it is to do it with. For instance. The day I bought my fishfinder, I went down to Sportsmans, and had intentions of spending up to $200 for one.
I picked out an Eagle model (don't remember the exact model), that was on sale for $99.00. Took it home, pulled it out, fired it up (without attaching the transducer to the boat yet), and was immediately disappointed. Resolution sucked, and it was black and white and I couldn't even see it in the sunlight. I decided I'd rather spend a little more. So back it went and I then picked up the Lowrance 67c COLOR fishfinder. What a huge difference! Resolution was better, and the screen was much more visible. I was now in the $249 price range. I already owned a handheld GPS, and had planned on using that for my navigation. ONE TRIP OUT and I was convinced I needed less clutter and more convenience. So back that one went (they let me just swap the transducers, as they were the same) and I ponied up the extra $150 (now I was up to $399) and I had my high resolution, color, easy to see in daylight, powerful, and all that with a built in GPS that is very easy to use.
I have used 3 or 4 other brands and models on different boats. I liked some better, I liked some worse. The only thing I would like better...is a bigger screen. I MUST HAVE the resolution and the color. I'm a little spoiled that way now. Except that it wouldn't be able to be used for ice fishing at that point. So, for a good all arounder...I really really like my m68c. Yes, a $69 Eagle can be used if you want to squint your eyes, shade it in the sunlight to see it, and not know if you are looking at a boot on the bottom or a fish.
So, the bottom line is this: I would get as many nice features as possible, with whatever you can afford. When you amortize it out, even an expensive one is only pennies per trip over time.
The features you want are:
1. Resolution-the higher the better
2. Color-Easier to see on sunny days, and visible even in direct sunlight
3. Power-(m68c is not as powerful as others, but adequate). The more power, the better.
4. Navigational capabilities (GPS), if you want to conveniently use it to navigate with while on the water.
The m68c is the cheapest unit that I found that has all these features. Other brands offer similar features, but so far I have not seen one as cheap. I do not own stock in Lowrance, nor am I trying to be a salesman...I've used this product for 5 years (and I fish every weekend) and I've been extremely happy with it. Everyone that sees my unit likes it.
In the grand scheme of things...my little $400 unit is on the LOWER END of the good fishfinders out there!
Also, buy the aluminum portable transducer clamp so that you can conveniently move it from boat to boat. I ended up buying multiple transducers, and even a dedicated ice-ducer (floats straight up), but for the first 2 years I got away with one transducer used for everything.
Hope this helps!
Randy
[signature]
I picked out an Eagle model (don't remember the exact model), that was on sale for $99.00. Took it home, pulled it out, fired it up (without attaching the transducer to the boat yet), and was immediately disappointed. Resolution sucked, and it was black and white and I couldn't even see it in the sunlight. I decided I'd rather spend a little more. So back it went and I then picked up the Lowrance 67c COLOR fishfinder. What a huge difference! Resolution was better, and the screen was much more visible. I was now in the $249 price range. I already owned a handheld GPS, and had planned on using that for my navigation. ONE TRIP OUT and I was convinced I needed less clutter and more convenience. So back that one went (they let me just swap the transducers, as they were the same) and I ponied up the extra $150 (now I was up to $399) and I had my high resolution, color, easy to see in daylight, powerful, and all that with a built in GPS that is very easy to use.
I have used 3 or 4 other brands and models on different boats. I liked some better, I liked some worse. The only thing I would like better...is a bigger screen. I MUST HAVE the resolution and the color. I'm a little spoiled that way now. Except that it wouldn't be able to be used for ice fishing at that point. So, for a good all arounder...I really really like my m68c. Yes, a $69 Eagle can be used if you want to squint your eyes, shade it in the sunlight to see it, and not know if you are looking at a boot on the bottom or a fish.
So, the bottom line is this: I would get as many nice features as possible, with whatever you can afford. When you amortize it out, even an expensive one is only pennies per trip over time.
The features you want are:
1. Resolution-the higher the better
2. Color-Easier to see on sunny days, and visible even in direct sunlight
3. Power-(m68c is not as powerful as others, but adequate). The more power, the better.
4. Navigational capabilities (GPS), if you want to conveniently use it to navigate with while on the water.
The m68c is the cheapest unit that I found that has all these features. Other brands offer similar features, but so far I have not seen one as cheap. I do not own stock in Lowrance, nor am I trying to be a salesman...I've used this product for 5 years (and I fish every weekend) and I've been extremely happy with it. Everyone that sees my unit likes it.
In the grand scheme of things...my little $400 unit is on the LOWER END of the good fishfinders out there!
Also, buy the aluminum portable transducer clamp so that you can conveniently move it from boat to boat. I ended up buying multiple transducers, and even a dedicated ice-ducer (floats straight up), but for the first 2 years I got away with one transducer used for everything.
Hope this helps!
Randy
[signature]
I used to N.ot have E.nough T.ime O.ff to go fishing. Then I retired. Now I have less time than I had before. Sheesh.