What is the best sounder / value for money to buy

[eimeo]

I am currently looking at replacing an old sounder with a new lcd one.I have just purchased my first boat and really need some assistance in buying a sounder.I think I need a dual frequency and am looking at the following models
Navman 4432
lowrance x86
Are there any suggestions of which is better or are there any other models i should look up under$400
Any help would be greatly appreciated

[brewman]

hi eimeo
I have got a furuno Ls4100 it is a great unit. if you shop around you can get them for under $500.
cheers brewman

[marzoe]

I just bought a Furuno LS 4100 from the States for about 245.00 US.
Converts to $326.00 AU. Save about $150.
Seems to be a really good sounder. PM me
if you want more info.

[seatime]

eimeo where will u be fishing?

Only my opinion, but leave the Navman on the shelf. IMO Lowrance/Eagle, Humminbird are designed with freshwater fishing in mind, tho some models have good feedback for saltwater use.
Besides dual frequency, which is good for deep and shallow work, look at the output power of the unit. Some of this gear has a beautiful wide display, lots of pixels and fancy symbols, but no grunt.
Furuno and Raymarine cover all the bases, but more $.

The LS4100 would be a good allrounder IMO.

the obligatory 2 bob's worth,

[mirage]

Go Furuno.

[Seahorse]

i have ordered new boat and iam also looking for good souinder at right price. i hope to be going out to 24, 36's, and just running around the bay. i need something that is easy to understand and gives good reading showing fish and strucures

cheers
greg

[seatime]

seahorse

Good sounder at right price, in that dept I'd say the superseded Furunos. I have a Ray, tho there can be fogging issues which is hit and miss with models, tho I'd buy another as the display is excellent.
For your depth, 36's, need at least 600w output and up to $1000 if colour.
rgds

[Seahorse]

gelsec, does one need a colour sounder. that would be nice but $1000 is bit rich. the boat comes with navman 4431 just the basic. i just thought i would upgrade it from the beginning

cheers

[seatime]

seahorse, no, u don't need a colour sounder. It's just that the higher powered units needed for deep work now come in colour. Once you've used the high definition type digital display units, everything else looks pedestrian. I've done seismic surveys with $$$$$$ gear and the Furunos and Rays, relatively speaking, stack up very well.
Nothing wrong with analogue processing and adjustments and greyscale, after all the sonar doesn't catch the fish. But why buy a non-colour unit that might be good for 5-10yrs, aren't you going to want to upgrade before that. Colour is very easy on the eye.

there's lots of other opinions out there I'm sure?

rgds
Steve

[Seahorse]

prob just go down to bias and have a llok. its all very confusing when its all new to me.

cheers