Fishfinder US or Local

[mattjohn]

Hi everyone. I have $200-$300 to spend on a fishfinder for my 3.9m tinnie. I have done some online research and the dollar goes so much further in the US but. . ....?
As far as I can see I have to put up with feet instead of metres - is there anything else I should be aware of. If I can get it from US, I am looking at Humminbird 717 or Furuno LS4100 as I would like to get a dual beam.

Would love some advice from people re fishfinders in this price range and overseas purchases.

[snelly1971]

Check you PMs

Mick

[Obes]

I too am looking at this option.

If you get a combo, to buy the Aus maps seperately is very expensive.

I actually don't understand why Humminbird sounders are under half the price in the US

[kneebone]

Hi all I just got a Hummingbird 777c2 from US for $600 delivered

[mattjohn]

Where did you get that from - what sort of warranty?

[Sean]

temp is only in fahrenheight in us models.......if you are only fishing shallow i wouldnt bother with dual beam, i did heaps of research on this b4 i bought matrix17 and never turn on the 50khz except in the first 2 weeks, thats my opinion...save the money, Sean

[Sean]

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...ight=dual+beam

Might help

[Foxy4]

That sounds like the way to go.

[1975fflh]

If you only spending200-300 the US may not be the best place if you can go an extra few dollars like around 400 you cn get the deal of the decade I purchased a Navman 5505i for 600 12 months ago they still sell here for 900.

I am looking for a new sounder now and dont know weather togo the Garmin ff400c or the raymarine remanufactured DS500x for 590

but will not hesitate to buy off David at ######.

The local shops are just too expensive if the difference was only $50 or even $100 I would buy here but they are just ripping us off.

down here in Wollongong, the local shop in Fairy meadow wouldnt even budge $5 when I told them i could get a sounder from withworths $50.000 cheaper so bugger them I will buy US.
As for warrenty well the local shop will hang onto it for a week waiting for a courier load then if the problem is a big one they go back to the country of manufactuer anyway.

I send it to David in the US and he sends it back and reimburses me 50% of the postage I paid and I get it back quicker by about a week.

Hope I helped and didnt rave on too much.

Gordon

[Ketchitdave]

Hi there, I use eBay to purchase all my marine electronics, started with a Garmin 178 GPS, Garmin 160 Fishfinder, Garmin Gecko and have just today place an order for a Lowrance 7200c Chartploter and a X515c dual frequency fish finder. On the Lowrance gear saved over $1200 alone and must say that I have never had a problem. Just make sure you buyer from a eBay trader with excellent feedback and of course use PayPal to complete the payment. PayPal provide free insurance / money back if the deal goes sour.

The local dealers / agents are just too rich on their pricing and of try to fill you full of fear on warranty claims. You will find the US traders will honor warranty claims and share the post / handling costs.

Give it a go and save heaps.

David