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I'm hoping to get a fish finder for my birthday. I have a 16 foot Lowe that I primarily troll from with my young children. It would be great to have a finder that tracks where we've been and has the capability to mark way points. I'm not opposed to investing a fair amount towards a good quality finder.
What do you feel is the best fish finder for the berry? Much thanks!
(Here's a quick video from our trip on Labor Day)
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That's a fun video. As for the finder, that's a very difficult question, because it's like asking which car you should get to drive to Salt Lake. There are obviously a ton of choices, and frankly almost any of them would work great. I have 6 or 7 of them, and some do a better job than others. Before color, we did just fine with black and white, and those still work great. Color is just sexier. My only advise would be to stick with the more popular brands like Lowrance, Humminbird, Eagle and Garmin, they're all excellent. Then learn how to use it!
Of course you'll need GPS to record tracks and waypoints. No biggie, most of them have it now. Get one that has a built-in antenna, but most do. Just pick one in your price range, and you'll love it. The difference between having NO fishfinder and ANY fishfinder at all is HUGE, if only to know how deep the water is.
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if you ever think about getting a
i-Pilot Link Minn Kota trolling motor
[url "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc0CMUkcA7U&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLB82A051CD38512AC"]https://www.youtube.com/...t=PLB82A051CD38512AC[/url]
I would buy a humminbird with a lake master map.
I would bet that some one that has a I Pilot Link can catch more fish than someone that does not have one. once you learn how to use it.
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Thanks for the suggestions!
Any suggestions for one that is around $600-$1000 in price.
I get pretty analytical on these things and am hoping to save me some time with someone who can suggest a specific brand/model. Thanks!
Brady
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As I'm sure you've already seen, there are lots of really great finders in that price range. As Liketrolling said, you could get a Humminbird that is compatible with iPilot link in case you ever decide to go with a Minn Kota trolling motor that is also set up for iPilot link. As for Down Imaging, I use it for "looking" at bottom structure but never for fish. I've never used Side Imaging so I'm no help there. Dual beam is useful, but certainly not essential, although if you use downriggers, it's nice to be able to track your rigger ball while viewing fish arches etc. It's easy to do that by using both beam frequencies simultaneously. I use a Lowrance and a Humminbird that each cost around $800 and they're both great units, but I do think I like the Humminbird the best. They both accept the Navionics map card, which is nice on Strawberry because the Strawberry map is especially detailed on that card, but of course the card alone is about $150. Well worth it though for me. Again, the trouble is everyone will say they like whatever finder they have, just like with reels etc. Have fun researching, and Happy Birthday.
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[quote BMURR]Thanks for the suggestions!
Any suggestions for one that is around $600-$1000 in price.
I get pretty analytical on these things and am hoping to save me some time with someone who can suggest a specific brand/model. Thanks!
Brady[/quote]
If you want to wait till next year, and watch Cabela's sales
you may beable to get a Humminbird® 999ci HD SI Sonar Combo
Regular Price: $1,499.99 for $1000. I saw it go on sale last year for 3 days.
the 899 sales for $1000, It is the same but not as big.
on ebay it is $939. free shiping and no tax.
[url "http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/261340511748?lpid=82"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/261340511748?lpid=82[/url]
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Don't over think it. Use the same thought process you used when you bought your boat.
Go to the ones you can afford and ask these questions... Can you afford it? Duh you're looking at the ones you can afford. Does it have everything you want? They all do in that price range. Do you have any special requirements? Easy on/off if you need to store your boat outside you'll want to take off the FF.
Now go get one and get a half dozen trips under your belt with it before the ice gets here.
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This has actually been very insightful. I am realizing I was pretty naive in trying to get a quick fix as to what I should buy. I'm going to buckle down this week and learn what I need to about these things. I do enjoy the research aspect of equipment so it should be fun. Some of the technology that is out there blows my mind. I thought a flasher was fancy!
Thanks again to each of you so far. We're lucky to have this site and have such a wealth of knowledge and willing news to share hat knowledge!
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Hey Brady,
Get one of those nice down scan models and let's take it up on the Snake River. It would be fun to see those sturgeon swim under the boat.
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[quote BMURR]This has actually been very insightful. I am realizing I was pretty naive in trying to get a quick fix as to what I should buy. I'm going to buckle down this week and learn what I need to about these things. I do enjoy the research aspect of equipment so it should be fun. Some of the technology that is out there blows my mind. I thought a flasher was fancy!
Thanks again to each of you so far. We're lucky to have this site and have such a wealth of knowledge and willing news to share hat knowledge![/quote]
look at this, a lot of info. here
Humminbird Side Imaging Forums
[url "http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php"]http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php[/url]
[url "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPXomXW6ioE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPXomXW6ioE[/url]
Lowrance may have a site like this also.
I don't use Side Imaging much
here is a snap shot from Flaming Gorge
you can see my 3 downrigger balls and one stacker line
on the right side you can see the stacker line going down.
I'm only looking at the water between 30 and 95 ft.
when I fish for Kokes I don't care what the bottom looks like.
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Since you are analytical, here are a few thoughts from a guy who isn't:
Garmin probably has the best GPS functions, but perhaps is not the best fish finder.
Lowrance invented fish finders and makes good ones, but reportedly have poor customer service.
Humminbird seems to be the cutting edge company these days, and has great customer service.
I only needed a basic "see the bottom" device for my kayak, and bought a Humminbird. I also bought a used handheld GPS to record trolling tracks and mark waypoints. I always use the finder and less often use the GPS device.
One tip: ALWAYS mark the boat ramp or marina entrance as a waypoint. In bad weather, you'll be extremely glad you did!
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