best sounder under $200

[sweetbream]

hey guys,

im looking for a sounder under $200,
can anyone make any recommendations on particular models,
also any tips on particulr features etc that i should be looking for,

i have seen a humminbird getting around for around $165 at big w, are they any good or should i be getting a dual beam??

cheers

[harry_h01]

I picked up a Garmin 140 for just over 200. It has a dual beam is great for what I wanted.

Harry

[Blackened]

G'day sweetbream

first of all, where will you be using it?

To my knowledge there are the hummingbird, eagle and garmin models coming in under $200,

Dave

[sweetbream]

i will be fishing in freshwater impoundments and in the ocean (close reefs), maybe out in moreton bay etc.

any tips

[Blackened]

G'day
If that's the case, I run a garmin FF120... it's been superseded by the garmin FF140 now.

Good little unit, and has temperature built in. Worth a look for sure.

Dave

[JB]

Your going to get a pretty basic unit for that sort of money, i guess it all depends on where your using it , but as far as ocean use goes under 200 dollars will be crap. You'll read to about 30m deep , anything over and it wont have the power to give a good accurate reading. If your ocean use is liimited, sure go for a cheapy.

Jas

[sweetbream]

i dont think i will be going in anything much deeper than 30m,

will the garmin 140s / humminbirds do this depth with good details

[zach]

hey mate i got a nav man 4430 for $220 and i recon there way better than the garmins
cheers
zaCH

[sweetbream]

is there any reason for getting a navman over the garmins ??

also what depth have you run the navman at with good success.

i dont think i would be going any deeper than 30m but i guess you never know

[TinarooTriumph]

Sweetbream - Navman's are the best in the business for working depths, and are easy to use... Bit pricey though... But if you can pick one up cheaply, then I recomend you jump at the chance.

I run 2 Eagle 168 Cuda's on my boat - one mounted on the bow, whilst the other mounted on the rear casting deck. They are good at picking up depths, temp's, structure, and are dead easy to use. Cheap too... Look hard enough and you'll find them around the $150 mark at any outlet. I've heard Garmin are pretty good too... But havn't dealt with em'.

[sweetbream]

hey guys,

thanks for the tips so far, TT you said you have 2 eagles, what depth can you use them at comfortably and get good bottom details

[TinarooTriumph]

I only use the boat and the sounders in the Impoundments mate, so I can only really vouch for it reading depths comfortably between 0 and 30m, though the Eagle's can apparently read to about 180m (Better models then mine!). Most sonar units read deeper in Freshwater then Saltwater... Finding depths deeper then 30m in the Fresh could be a challenge though! Really depends on how you set up the transducer e.g. Angles, Basic Configuration... As to how deep and clear you want to read. Im very novice when it comes to this Electronic/Boating scene as Im new to it all... best to ask the Expert's in the shops for further info.

[harry_h01]

The 140 has a dual transducer, and temp sensor

As to depth, the 140 will cover your 30m + very clearly.

Harry

[zach]

is there any reason for getting a navman over the garmins ??

also what depth have you run the navman at with good success.

i dont think i would be going any deeper than 30m but i guess you never know

yeh my mate has a garmin and i was going to get one but than i had a play with a nav man in the shops and i recon they have a better picture and there easier to use. i run mine ay 30 and i can see the bottom clearly
cheers
zach