anyone ever used one of these for ice fishing? i've been kicking around the idea of getting some sort of fish finder but have no clue about any of them. it looked pretty descent for the price but im not sure.any info would be helpfull.
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I have had one for 3 years and I like it. I have had no problems with it. Battery life is good and i haven't had it freeze up on me. I would recommend it for the price.
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I had the buddy 2250 for several years. It worked just fine for my boat, tube, and on the ice. But now that I have upgraded I would never go back. Not enough power, poor vertical pixels, SLOW, too narrow of a cone, etc. Spend just a little more and get something like this:
[url "http://www.boatersland.com/hum565.html"]http://www.boatersland.com/hum565.html[/url]
Lightening fast "real time" sonar
2000 watts peak to peak power
dual cones
640 vertical pixels
This is a low cost finder with all the features of the higher priced models. It can be rigged up for your boat, tube, or for on the ice. Let me know if you have any questions!
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I used to have a 1200 and bought the Humminbird 565 about 1.5 years ago. It's a dream and worth the extra $$$. Bigcat has one very similiar (Garmin version), but has seen my 565 in action. The real time sonar (RTS) is worth every penny and is like a flasher. It's ultra fast and works just as good as one in my opinion. The LCD style 'read out' combined with the RTS is a perfect combo.
F4F
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[black][size 3]Hey jhall,[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Welcome to BFT ![/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I have a fishin buddy 2255. It works well. It has a side finder, 360 degree compass, and water temperature readout. If you want to buy it I'll sell it to you for about half price or less. I also have a nice mountian cork case, the owners manual and the mounting brackets too. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I have upgraded to a Humminbird matrix system, and don't need it anymore. PM me if you are interested.[/size][/black]
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I used a 2250 for 3 years before I upgraded. It worked well for my float tube and not as well for ice fishing.
BigCat helped me learn how to get toh most out of it.
The one thing that I like about by new Eagle 320 over 2250 is the ability to see the fish in real time. This means that there is no delay from when the soanar picks up a fish to when you see it on the screen.
You will see the fish approach your bait and be able to react to it.
The Buddy has a delay and by the time you see the fish, it's already gone.
The Buddy 2255 is about $200.00 new and the Eagle is only $150.00 at Sportsman's. I bought an ammo cast to put it in for ice fishing and a battery which puts the Eagle at the same cost as the Buddy.
I would also agree with getting a different finder than the Buddy.
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Those buddy's don't work for darn on plane.[
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They were a good idea when they came out but Americans, being what we are have adapted with our own versions of portable. By purchasing a boat style finder now, and mounting it in a box(I used a cooler) as a portable unit you can use it on the ice and in a rental boat, canoe, a friends canoe... what ever you have. It is also a tool that if cared for will last many years and will be able to be mounted on a boat if you get one in the future.
Things to look for are, real time tech, (fast screen redraw)
1000w minimum, 240 vert pixels, (absolute min. 320 is better up to 640 is deluxe)
Horizontal pixels = history. What the transducer has already seen
Color is the future, but some of the finer greyscales, once learned can do 90% as well.
Once you get the thing, check out the archives for all sorts of transducer adapter rigs and ways to hook up with portable batteries.
See you on the ice.
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here's a little bit of reading and some pictures of different set ups
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=179267;search_string=Fishfinder;#179267"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=179267;search_string=Fishfinder;#179267[/url]
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=90962;#90962"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=90962;#90962[/url]
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=181365;search_string=Fishfinder;#181365"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=181365;search_string=Fishfinder;#181365[/url]
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=255215;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=255215;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread[/url]
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=184642;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=184642;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread[/url] Go down to sonars on this last one, lots of good stuff here
Good luck!
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[font "Arial"][red][size 3]I was just given a bottomline fishing buddy from a friend. I took it on the ice this past weekend. I tried to fish with it, but the pixels and speed was way too slow. I think I will continue to bring it with me though, it is a great device to search for depth and fish, then resort to something more technologically advanced.[/size][/red][/font]
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Both of the units mentioned above are smokin deals. The matrix will even work with that transducer you cast out from shore.
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I too am a former fishin buddy fan. It was good for an introductory finder, but then I did some research and moved on. It is great for being portable, and light weight. Batteries last a long time, but my biggest problem was the narrow cone. I believe it is only 8* or so. That ends up being a pretty small window to see the fish. It is nice to just drop it in the hole, push a button and see the depth. I bought the Hummingbird 565 like some of the above guys and I love it. Lots of features and it runs $200.
Unless you can get a good deal on a used buddy I would save a few more dollars and get something better. Like the saying goes you get what you pay for, so buy the best you can afford.
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What type of batteries does the humminbird 565 use? and how long will it last? it looks like a better finder and its not that much more money.
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You hook it to a 12 volt 7amp rechargeable battery that you can buy for about 20-25 bucks. Should last you a few years if you take care of the battery. Each charge should last you for at least all day if not maybe two days before needing recharging.
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Last year I fished 3-4 days without charging. Never did run it dry, just charged it to be safe. I also have a little gadget I got from radio shack that puts 8 AA's in series. 8 AA's @ 1.5 V each equals 12V. It will run my 565 all day if my battery does die on me. Plus, it's dirt cheap--- well, except the batteries. [crazy] I hardly use it, so it's just that, a backup.
On those links above, you will see how I rigged up mine in a cooler (thanks to everyone here on BFT). It's a great setup and cost me about $40 (including the battery).
F4F
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Batteries are not a huge issue. Modern DF use very little power. Milliamps.
I have the same 7 amp set-up as most, you can use any 12 volt source. As Petty said, 8x1.5=12
AA's are small and light, a pack of c's or D's will do the same but give more run time. One member in here uses a battery from his Dewalt 12Volt drill to power his finder, and I have seen 2- 6 volts together to make 12.
Your DF will also have a voltage check on the menue. Use this periodicly (sp) to check your battery voltage output.
I am assuming you are shorebound as of now so I will remind you that the Matrix is "smart cast" compatible. Check if the 565 is. The smart cast is a transducer that can be tied to a rod like a big lure and cast out in front of where you are fishing and sends the signal back to the DF. Good fro checking depths and to see if fish are in the area.
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[
] UP HERE WHERE WE FISH ON THE ICE 5 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR , THE VEXILAR IS HARD TO BEAT !
.http://www.vexilar.com/products/fl18.html
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ok guys question... the eagle or a vexilar or a marcum.. I know it is a preference and I am asking which one and why??? HELP
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]You want to know the real truth? Anything that is fairly new and you learn how to use it to it's fullest potential will work fine. I run high end Lowrance monochrome LCDs and I also have a Marcum LX-5 flasher. Both do a fantastic job for what they were designed for and that's to see fish. Are there differences? Ya, but once you learn one or the other, they both work great.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]We can debate what is the best but whatever you get, learn how to use it. Read the owner's manual run the machine and re-read the owner's manual. Play with all the features and understand them. Get to where you know all the options they give you and how to apply them in all situations. Once you accomplish that, you will be at a greater advantage to observe fish, the catching will then be up to you.[/size][/black][/font]
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