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?w...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/Hummi...w&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]

Originally Posted by 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?w...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/prod...d=0CJcEEKYrMAI

[justin1982]

Originally Posted by 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/prod...d=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]

Originally Posted by 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.

This is the one I just posted about

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Produc...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...