best sounder for up to $2000

[zorro1]

Just looking for some opinions on the best sounder on the market for up to $2000 - $2500
I wanting to put it in a markham dominator (twin hull)
Looking to fish in various depths up to approx. 150m
I have been looking at a "FURONO - FCV - 585" Any comments?
Thanks
Zorro

[Horse]

I have a 585 and trust what it tells me. I'm very happy with it apart from some slight fogging some COLD mornings

[nigelr]

Would be my choice in that price range.

[brucem32000]

Hi Zorro1,

I had a 5.6m dominator up until 2.5 years ago. Traded it in on a Kevalacat, better boat for sure!! The Dominator was fitted with a Simrad sounder.
It took me a while but eventually after I learnt to use it on "manual" & wind it up till the scatter was all over the screen, then wind it back a bit, I could then see holes, caves. Pick out wire grass etc. Fantastic.

Now, I have a 585 with a 1kw through hull tranduser, & its good, but I havent learnt to use it to its fullest yet!! I am trying to see the bottom in 500 metres. Shows me hard rubble but it could be better Im sure. Just need practice.

One thing, on the Dominator, the traducer was fitted between the 2 mortors (both clockwise rotation). Lots of interference! I moved it to the outside of the starbord motor. Big, big improvement.

What ever model/brand you buy, take lots of time to learn how to use it. You have much more fun.

Buy the way, if your Dominator is new to you & like mine, both props are turning in the same direction, adjust the tilt of the motors different one to the other untill the bow is parrell to the horizon. you will find the boat will stear almost as if its on auto!!

Regards..............Bruce

[Muddy Toes]

Another vote for the Furuno FCV 585 with a 1KW trannie.

[zorro1]

Thankyou gentleman (& ladies if anY)
I sought of thought i was in the right area going with the Furono 585.
Thanks for the help.Definetly will look into the 1kw trannie as well - has anyone had the 600kw transducer
as it seems everyone recommends the 1kw above and fishing in depths up to 150m i thought may be the 600kw was sufficient?
Has anyone got any comments on a great GPS for it as well without blowing the pocket with it?

Hi Bruce
Yes it is my first cat boat & had my eyes on the dominator for some time - i decided to go with the 7m (8100) boat.
It represented value for money - Definetly looked at Kevlacat & other cats and decided with the Markham after long deliberation
Can't wait - still quite a few weeks away yet.
Zorro

[outwide1]

Go garmin mate when it comes to GPS,the best thing going.Go see jim carlson at Trymax marine.

[trueblue]

I've been tossing up between the 585 and a 1kw lowrance HDS... got to see more of both but so far leaning towards the HDS for the sidescan option

would work deep but also show shallowish bait on side scan out to the side of the boat

[Muddy Toes]

Go garmin mate when it comes to GPS,the best thing going.Go see jim carlson at Trymax marine.

Totally agree mate......Furuno fcv 585 sounder with a Garmin chartplotter.I run this set up with the 4010 Garmin.

[Horse]

I am using a bronze 600W thu hull transducer. I seldom fish over 100m and the transducer angles are better for the shallower water

[business class]

585 Furuno and 1kw gets my vote hands down i run this myself and can pick up till 750m then it doesnt like it. and lowrance HDS for chartplotter, Easy to use and go the 8 or 10 inch you wont look back. dont get anything but the 585 as its won every award known to man for prob the past 10 years that a sounder can win.

[GBC]

The 585 would be the most popular in that price bracket. I've got a JRC ff60 which is a fair bit less money, but not a fair bit less quality than a 585. I'd happily have either.

[Tangles]

the JRC ff60 they have bottom discrimination as well dont they GBC, ( and still made in Japan), they look like a nice sounder.

[GBC]

Yes, JRC basically brought bottom discrimination to the small sounder market. They are a commercially oriented unit (as is the 585) and won't be put in the shade by any sounder in the same market.
The thing I like about both the jrc and furunos, is that if there's nothing to see, they'll show nothing. They don't try to hide a flaw or a missed shot. There's plenty of other sounders that give prettier pictures, but if it's raw data you're after and you can read a sounder, either of the above will do. You can get a 1kw tranny for the jrc too - I haven't found anyone who's bothered though.

[Pazz01]

I currently have a furuno and it takes time to get used to it. We used to have a koden, and it was a sweet sounder read the bottom perfectly. Takes a bit of getting used to going to a furuno after having a koden for 15 years.

Pazz