fishfinders

[canberra_carp]

I have recently bought a second hand savage osprey (1988 hull with a 2000 70 hp jono. I want to fit a f/f and have narrowed it down to 2 based on what I have read the raymarine L265 and the lowrance x51 - both about the $370 mark. i fish in lake eucumbene and Jindabyne for trout - av depth about 40-60ft and out of Batenans bay and bermagui, bottom bouncing in up to 300ft.

I favour the raymarine because of its power - 300 rms vs 188 rms for the lowrance and also its dual frequency - i would appreciate any 200/50mghz - i would appreciate any comments from owners of these two f/fs - i have read where fishos with the x51 are very happy but have not read any comments on the raymarine eg are they reliable and is the after sales service ok - any thoughts on where to buy cheaply

[krazyfisher]

I have had the L265 and loved it I thought it was great and a fishing mate has the x51 this is only my thoughts but the x51 has the best screen to view but I like the L265 better as with the split screen you can see not only the bottom from the side but also from across easier to find the bombie i.e. which side of the boat the 50/200 transducer is nice and so is the power I would be happy to go with the L265.

[banshee]

I am not familiar with Raymarine but have heard they make a good product.If targeting fish in fifty fathoms two features I would consider essential would be a 240 X 240 pixel screen and the ability to set upper and lower depth limmits. Even with these features I think a 300 watt unit would be pushing it to give reliable fish readings at this depth.

[krazyfisher]

I think from memory the L265 is 2000watts (maybe 1500watts) abit of power anyway I know the x51 is 240 by 160 but I think the L265 is only 160 by 160 but still very clear for the pixel count.

[banshee]

A peak to peak power rating should not be confused with RMS,the latter is a true indication of the operating power of the unit.I garantee you the Raymarine is not a 2 kw unit.Lets look at the importance of the pixel count.If you cannot set your unit to accept upper and lower limits,160 pixels will be dedicated to 300 feet,at a rough gues each pixel is covering one and three quater feet.What this means is that in order for a fish to show it will will have to be close to two foot thick top to bottom to show,you're going to miss some nice fish.I still think that while these units are good for estuary and impoundments they are out of their league outside,save up a bit more if you can and get an X-85 or some thing similar.

[bazz]

The L265 300W RMS and 2400W peak to peak 240x64 = 15360 pixels from the latest catalogue 2years warranty.About $380.

[aquarius]

The X51 has 188 watts RMS and 1500 peak-to-peak power.
240 X 160 pixels. # 38,400 total pixels
1 year waranty and cost around $350 to $370.
Cheers #Brent

[canberra_carp]

thank you all for your contributions - your responses have focussed me on what I really need. I suppose I spend 80% of my time in the freshwaer lakes so that seeing fish at 300ft is not a major factor (a GPS can get me to where the fish are where I normally fish). Not being a techo I am not sure whether i am better off with the X51 with 38,000 pixels and 188 rms or with the L265 and 15,000 pixels and 300 rms and the dual frequencies - which one and why? >:(

[aquarius]

Mate the more pixels the better i reckon....better screen resolution. If i were fishing in very deep water i would go for the dual transducer but for the Dams and estuaries my X51 does an excellent job.
Cheers #Brent ;)

[krazyfisher]

just to confuse you in the lakes and dams I would go for the L265 as with the dual transducer you get to see more of the bottom as well as which side of the boat the snag or fish is on If I can remember right I think the L265 has bottom lock for the deep water but you could not go wrong with either I have had the L265 and could pick you thermoclines and bait fish in weed the screen is also very clear to read its not up to you both will be good :)