Fish finder help/question

[justin1982]

I'm looking at getting a portable fish finder for under $200. I don't own a boat but when I rent a rowboat, I'd like to have the aid of one. I've been researching a lot and looking at a bunch of different brands but I need some advice. I'm sure some of you guys have finders, so what should I be looking for?


http://www.walmart.com/ip/21811281?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227016992992&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=35484818196&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=50579222796&veh=sem#Specifications

I think this one looks good but I'm not even sure anymore, any help would be appreciated! Thanks

[gwl2oneida]

Humminbird makes one that clamps on the side. It'll do the trick for you. Especially not owning your own boat where the transducer is normally fixed to hull or motor.

[briansnat]

On my last boat I made a fish finder mount hat was held in place with a C clamp. It worked quite well on my boat as long as I was just using the electric motor. I tried it on a friends boat that had more freeboard, but it couldn't reach the water. Someone with more skill with wood than I have could probably make something better, but my main issue with it was that if I used it with the outboard it would direct a ton of water into the boat. Again, someone with better skills that I have might be able to get around that issue as well.

You can go through all of that trouble or just get one of these.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Humminbird-reg-Fishin-Buddies/735123.uts?productVariantId=1211481&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=02550553&rid=40&channel=GoogleBaseUSA&mr:trackingCode=1DF4CECA-958E-DF11-A0C8-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla_with_promotion&mr:ad=30640542671&mr:keyword&mr:match&mr:filter=57965721791&gclid=CN_C7vj0tr4CFcHm7AodvBoAYw&gclsrc=aw.ds

[catfishonthelake]

I would look into one of the portable units that have the suction cup transducers and the carrying case instead of the ones that clamp on the side of the boat. I have the Humminbird 345c Portable and used it a lot before I got a boat and mounted a sonar on it. It's an awesome unit. Also, for what it's worth, I tested a bunch of lower priced sonar for an article and the less expensive Garmins were much better than the lower end Lowrance's and Humminbirds.

[catfishonthelake]

I'm looking at getting a portable fish finder for under $200. I don't own a boat but when I rent a rowboat, I'd like to have the aid of one. I've been researching a lot and looking at a bunch of different brands but I need some advice. I'm sure some of you guys have finders, so what should I be looking for?


http://www.walmart.com/ip/21811281?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227016992992&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=35484818196&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=50579222796&veh=sem#Specifications

I think this one looks good but I'm not even sure anymore, any help would be appreciated! Thanks

Hey man, just so you know this is not a portable sonar. You're going to want something that has a portable mount and its own battery. There's not many of them on the market.

[catfishonthelake]

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but this is the unit I was talking about and you can see the case. The transducer goes right from the unit and has a suction cup so you can put it on a boat or canoe. I did a lot of research on these when I used to rent boats from Dow's and fish off canoes. The sonar you have above, although not portable, has a GPS too. You're not going to find anything portable with GPS in that price range. If you have a really tough time, I might even sell mine if you wanted it. I don't use it anymore since I have a new unit on my boat and I use my Marcum for ice fishing.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3516594374644641686?q=humminbird+345c+portable&sqi=2&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.66917471,d.cWc,pv.xjs.s.en_US.iZDr9Av0tZE.O&biw=1264&bih=719&tch=1&ech=1&psi=Wmt5U5m9MeigsQTLgoDYCw.1400466267260.3&ei=dGt5U4X3HMLRsQT2lIGYDQ&ved=0CJcEEKYrMAI

[justin1982]

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but this is the unit I was talking about and you can see the case. The transducer goes right from the unit and has a suction cup so you can put it on a boat or canoe. I did a lot of research on these when I used to rent boats from Dow's and fish off canoes. The sonar you have above, although not portable, has a GPS too. You're not going to find anything portable with GPS in that price range. If you have a really tough time, I might even sell mine if you wanted it. I don't use it anymore since I have a new unit on my boat and I use my Marcum for ice fishing.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3516594374644641686?q=humminbird+345c+portable&sqi=2&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.66917471,d.cWc,pv.xjs.s.en_US.iZDr9Av0tZE.O&biw=1264&bih=719&tch=1&ech=1&psi=Wmt5U5m9MeigsQTLgoDYCw.1400466267260.3&ei=dGt5U4X3HMLRsQT2lIGYDQ&ved=0CJcEEKYrMAI

I think I could do without gps, I saw something like the one you've linked for about $200, I think it was a lowrance. The ones that clamp on the boat are no good? Cause it looks like everything I need and it doesn't seem to complicated to install

[justin1982]

I would look into one of the portable units that have the suction cup transducers and the carrying case instead of the ones that clamp on the side of the boat. I have the Humminbird 345c Portable and used it a lot before I got a boat and mounted a sonar on it. It's an awesome unit. Also, for what it's worth, I tested a bunch of lower priced sonar for an article and the less expensive Garmins were much better than the lower end Lowrance's and Humminbirds.

This is the one I just posted about

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Fishfinder/Elite-4x-HDI-en-us.aspx

[NJD Bassman]

I would go with what catfish said. The Humminbird PiranhaMAX portable series is good. Comes with a battery, transducer, and a case with makes the unit very portable. I have the 160, cheapest model for my yak. Does the job, though looking to upgrade. Can just swap out the unit. Think a Lowrance also will fit in the case. This unit might be a good start for you:
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/571-HD-DI-Portable/

[UglyStick]

I have the Humminbird 570 HD DI portable (the same as 571 in NJD Bassman's link) and I can't say anything but great stuff about it. I used it for many years when I was fishing out of a Sea Eagle inflatable and now that I have my Tracker with upgraded electronics, I use it when fishing in my yak. I did a lot of research when I was buying a portable unit and am 100% happy I got that unit. Great features, very accurate, easy to learn, has down imaging, compact, has its own battery and case, etc, etc, etc...

[briansnat]

I think I could do without gps, I saw something like the one you've linked for about $200, I think it was a lowrance. The ones that clamp on the boat are no good? Cause it looks like everything I need and it doesn't seem to complicated to install

A friend of mine has a clamp on Humminbird similar to the one I linked to in my earlier post. It works fine. The only negative I can think of is that it has an internal rechargeable battery and if it runs out while you are on the water you are SOL. Same if you forget to charge it the night before. My friend says it lasts for a full day of fishing with a full charge.

[CMJeepster]

I bought a Humminbird Fishin Buddy 140c (color) this year for my kayak. It works good enough and has side view as well. Takes 4 AAA batteries. I carry spares in my kayak just in case.

[jimmythegreek]

the one catfish posted is ur best bet, they work pretty good I used one years ago in a buddys jonboat. The plus is u can get a seperate ice transducer and use it for ice fishing, and swapping boats is easy. U dont need down imaging or anything fancy, its worthless unless ur on a large screen finder w good quality screen, even then its tricky to learn. Basic 2D sonar is the #1 tool hands down. I have 4k worth of electronics w every thing u can think of and 99% of the time im in 2D split screen w GPS.

[justin1982]

Ok I'm looking at all these models you guys said and they all look good. The one catfish posted looks awesome but it's slightly out of my price range. The only other on that looks good I found is this.

http://www.humminbird.com/Products/PiranhaMAX-175-PT/

Thanks a bunch guys!

[briansnat]

I bought a Humminbird Fishin Buddy 140c (color) this year for my kayak. It works good enough and has side view as well. Takes 4 AAA batteries. I carry spares in my kayak just in case.

I think that's an improvement over the older models with the internal rechargeable. At least now you can replace the batteries on the water if they die.

[CMJeepster]

I think that's an improvement over the older models with the internal rechargeable. At least now you can replace the batteries on the water if they die.

That was a major consideration as I didn't want to get involved with expensive, special-order batteries. I can find AAs just about anywhere!