Fishing Forum

I have several fish finders I am thinking about.
#1 Eagle 320C
#2 Eagle fishmark, 320
#3 Humminbird 130 buddy
#4 Eagle 350c
#5 cuda 300

I like the idea of side sonar of the 130 buddy. I like the larger size of the 320, and I like the color of the 320c, and the 350c.
If I get any of them except the 130 Buddy, I have to use a 12v battery. The Store has them for about 25.00 give or take. I have read a lot of back threads about mounting and I like the idea of the 12v models better than the 130 I think. But the 130 has good things too. I don't know much about the cuda 300, or the 350c because they don't have them at our local Sportsmans all I know is what I read online.
PRICE.
#1 the 320c is 220.00 - local
#2 the 320 is 150.00 - local
#3 the 130 is 200.00 - local
#4 the 350c is 200.00- online
#5 The cuda 300 is about 80.00 - online

I like the 320 size of the screen, but I don't like the 20 degree transducer. The 320c looks easier to see to me,but that is in the store. The 350c in cabelas would be about the same price as the 320c here.
The more I think about it the more I get . I am sure that there is more I am missing.
How about some help. Thanks, Ron
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[cool][#0000ff]You have to work the problem out forward and backward. It all starts with what kind of fishing will you be using it for the most? Then, ask yourself what do you want it to do for you?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is easy to become overwhelmed by all of the hype and all of the bells and whistles. These things are made for boaters...not tubers and tooners. We don't need all the foo foo stuff. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, having a good side finder would be nice...especially if you fish a lot for cruising trout or suspending crappies. Otherwise, it is nice for nice but nonessential. A unit that will give good gray line (bottom composition) readings is better.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Color is nice, but expensive and not necessary. You can see all you need to see in black and white. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Temperature is very valuable...especially early and late in the year during transition periods. Being able to find warmer or cooler water can make a big difference on some days.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A 20 degree cone is about all you need. You just need to be able to tell how deep you are and how deep the fish are. You do not need to be able to see every fish within a 50 yard radius of your tube. If your fishing is typical, you will seldom catch a fish you see on sonar. Most of the fish I catch are well away from my tube, but I know how to present to them through the information I see on my screen.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]What do I use? I have bought the cheapie Eagle sonars for many years. First, the Fish Easy, then the Cuda 120, then the 168 and for the past 3 years, the Cuda 168 EX (wider screen). They are all low wattage and do not show my lure in real time display. So what? I don't need that. If I did, I would use a flasher.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The other thing to look at is the type of transducer. You should get te skimmer transducer for easiest mounting on a tube or tune.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]All that being said, good luck in your review and in your purchase. Whatever you choose will work. It is just a matter of integrating budget, price, function, features, etc. Then, no matter what you get, you have to work with it to learn how to read it and how to make it work for you.[/#0000ff]
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