09-14-2010, 10:54 PM
[cool][#0000ff]You really don't need all the bells and whistles on a sonar for your toon or tube. But, you usually DO get what you pay for. Cheap things aren't usually good and good things usually ain't cheap.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]With sonar it is about power. The higher the wattage the more detail and accuracy you get in the readout. But you don't have to have all the power you would get for fishing deep lakes or ocean waters. Most of the best "floatation" sonars will be under $200 and at least 1500 to 2000 watts.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Cone angle is important too. You need at least a 20 degree cone. The dual cone feature of the 570, with a 60 degree second cone, is very helpful when fishing the shallow waters common to tube and toon fishing. A 20 degree cone shows a "footprint" of about 1/3 the depth...or a circle about 5 feet wide on the bottom in 15 feet of water. The 60 degree cone is 3 times as wide. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You don't need a speed guage, but having temp readings are very helpful. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been using the Humminbird 565 for over a year and find it to be everything I need in a sonar for tubing. I have tried just about all brands, but not all models. For several years I used the Eagle Cudas. Adequate for some needs but subject to great inaccuracy in displaying fish signals.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After that, decide what features are important to you and don't just buy either for price or for "foo foo". Wise to check a few and ask for feedback from those who own them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With sonar it is about power. The higher the wattage the more detail and accuracy you get in the readout. But you don't have to have all the power you would get for fishing deep lakes or ocean waters. Most of the best "floatation" sonars will be under $200 and at least 1500 to 2000 watts.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Cone angle is important too. You need at least a 20 degree cone. The dual cone feature of the 570, with a 60 degree second cone, is very helpful when fishing the shallow waters common to tube and toon fishing. A 20 degree cone shows a "footprint" of about 1/3 the depth...or a circle about 5 feet wide on the bottom in 15 feet of water. The 60 degree cone is 3 times as wide. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You don't need a speed guage, but having temp readings are very helpful. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have been using the Humminbird 565 for over a year and find it to be everything I need in a sonar for tubing. I have tried just about all brands, but not all models. For several years I used the Eagle Cudas. Adequate for some needs but subject to great inaccuracy in displaying fish signals.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]After that, decide what features are important to you and don't just buy either for price or for "foo foo". Wise to check a few and ask for feedback from those who own them.[/#0000ff]
[signature]