Fishfinder

[Michael82929]

Buddy bought a new boat and thought I would get him a gift for the boat, so I plan on putting in a fishfinder for his boat since the one he has is an older model

Would like some feedback from some boaters.

Looking to get a new unit
Color Screen
Looking to get a unit / transducer where when I am moving at a higher rate of speed, I am still marking bottom / potential marks of fish.

Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

[mboy]

Budget will be your determining factor.

[shresearchdude]

What sized boat?
Is it a center console? without much space?
Does it have a t-top? and is that where he mounts his electronics?

[Michael82929]

ok...

22 ft Aquasport Center Console

Budget - within reason

600 - 700/would be ideal

looking to do a transom mount on the transducer

Thinking of a garmin.. buddy wants to get a hummingbird with the side imaging

Trying to weed thru it all and make a sound decision

[River Rat]

I just installed a Furuno w/ thru hull ducer.... couldent be happier. :cool:

[mboy]

Thru hull is the move. Transom sucks. Yes, some guys have it dialed in and can readt at 30mph. I couldn't after trying many times, so I installed the thru hull and can read bottom and fish at 35mph+

[Michael82929]

ok.. thru hull mount....

I may be asking some silly questions, here but its lack of knowledge.

does that interfere when your consisently trailoring it???

[Offshoreafflicted]

A thru hull transducer should not interfere with trailering the boat at all. If you are worried about cutting holes in the bottom there are some units that can be mounted inside the hull, they shoot right thru the bottom of the boat and work great if they are installed right. Not sure of the cost. I would go talk to the guys at consumers marine. They know their stuff over there and have most of the toys in the store so you can see it before you buy.

[eagleyankfan]

Hey Mike -- I second the Furuno. Love the color screen.

It's almost Christmas so go all out and get the stucture scan by Lowrance :D

[regulator 29]

A thru hull transducer should not interfere with trailering the boat at all. If you are worried about cutting holes in the bottom there are some units that can be mounted inside the hull, they shoot right thru the bottom of the boat and work great if they are installed right. Not sure of the cost. I would go talk to the guys at consumers marine. They know their stuff over there and have most of the toys in the store so you can see it before you buy.
consumers closed there store about 6 months ago or so. i wish it was still there to play with all the new stuff really helped in purchasing new units. i also say go furuno.

[Offshoreafflicted]

Wow that stinks.

[Capt. Debbie]

I love Foruno too, but they are probably some of the most expensive too. True side scan really needs multiple transducers to be good. Foruno does that but we are now a multi-thousand dollar system

Never had much luck with Hummingbirds in salt water.

Lowrance is a very good brand and has been doing it for years. That's what I have now. Good solid readings up to 22 knots. But that's more of a function of transducer location- aka keeping air bubbles away from it.

Garmin in very good too and we have them on the Tow boats for years in color w/ plotters and one w/ Radar too. Reliable.

FACTORS-
1- Bigger screens always cost more. What fits and what becomes redicuolously large are factors.
2- Expansion. Some system allow you to add stuff later to talk to each other - Like RayNav, Garmin. Usually they need a centralize stand alone interface box. This needs room for itself too.
3- Multipurpose. Some units are plotters and FF. Some even add radar into the fray. Like Garmin or RayNav.

I guess the bottom line is how much to spend and how deep into his set-up do you want to go.

[Michael82929]

Thanks everyone for all your help

I ended up getting him the ASeries / Raymarine - Chartplotter / Fishfinder.

I ended up with the thinking, if you're gonna, do it , do it right...

Thanks for all your help everyone

[ReelNauti]

I ended up getting him the ASeries / Raymarine - Chartplotter / Fishfinder.

I ended up with the thinking, if you're gonna, do it , do it right...




let me know when youre interviewing for new friends, i'd like to become one of yours!!!

[Michael82929]

This is my best friend from childhood..

From the first trout, to the first bass, to the first striper, to the first cast on the surf......

lol... but ill let you know when their's a casting call...lol

[mboy]

Your buddy should be happy to have you as a friend MIchael.

Good luck to your buddies new ride and electronics.
Go kill some fish ;)

[Luna Sea 3]

I also got the ASeries / Raymarine - Chartplotter / Fishfinder, love it..