What sounder do you use ?

[catchy_fishy]

I am keen to know what sounder you use, and more so if it could work for me ?

I'm looking to buy a new sounder, and want to start by doing some research with a list of a few decent sounders - I have about R5000 (Rand) to spend (AUS$ 1000).

I will be going out 15nm to sea, and need to go as deep as the sea will be (no idea how deep really)

Fishing for Mack Tuna to Marlin, Dorado to Yellow Fin, and especially GT's over further out deeper / shallower reefs. Also I like to catch my own bait so spotting schools is a must for the purpose of the sounder.

I am ideally looking for a colour screen with preferably, but not necessarily, a GPS as well.

At present I cannot add in Nautical charts to my handheld GPS so it would be a good addition to have it all in one. (Will also free up space on my "dash")

I have been using a lowrance x45 but have no affiliation either way, unless the wiring can be re-used which I somehow doubt.

The boat is a 5m centre consol glass boat with not too much space on the "dash", on which I have a Garmin handheld, a proper gimballed compass, and a fish finder. It's getting tight for new toys on top. I can just fit two beer cans in the space.

It should be removable and simple to operate.

Do you know of a sounder that meets my budget, and requirements, and more so have you used one / a similar one in the past.

Even an older model is worth mentioning - SA is a bit behind the times and there are often times we still have older stock (at better clearence prices)

Any help appreciated

Mike

[Biff]

Knowing the depth you are going to fish would help heaps if you are looking for a detailed opinon.

[Gbanger]

i have a matrix 67 which is a b&w gps sounder combo... it is 200/83 frequencied...

i think its about your price range... not a bad bit of gear, can sound schools etc pretty easily...

[wayne_cook]

Having had sounder and chartplotter combo' in the past i would advise against them.They are a pain trying to watch split screens,imo.

I checked out sounders a couple of years ago and thought the raymarine 6" screen was the pick.Very happy dead easy to use good res.at 150met.might have to save a bit more but may now have dropped to be in ur price range.Do urself a favour and at least check them out with the rest of the sounders u get advised on
good luc
bear

[MulletMan]

In the conditions you intend fishing, I really suggest that you bite the bullet and get a sounder that suits the depths you are talking about.
There is nothing worse than having a limited budget and then finding out the sounder just won't do the job!
The best usually come from Furuno, JVC, Raetheon, Simrad but you will have to pay for their performance.
The fact that almost commecial trawler or vessel uses Furuno or JVC speaks for itself.
Nonetheless, some of the guys here have experience with Lowrance, Hummingbird etc. and if they say they work well then probably worth a go?
I've got a colour CRT Marinetec (now out of business) that I paid $2,000 for many many years ago when this stuff was all very expensive and it picks out the eyes of the fish at 100 metres.

[wayne_cook]

Pink panther thats exactly what I upgraded from to raymarine.The big difference is. Put it this way there,s no comparison.
When I purchased the marinetec I thought it to be one of the best at the time,especially price wise JRC and furuno were a fair bit dearer but had no more features.It was a bit hard communicating with those Koreans at times though.

cheers bear

[MulletMan]

Right on brrbear!

There was absolutely no service whatsoever and you were on your own if it broke down.

The factory in Sydney burnt down many years ago and they never got going again.

I love my sounder but know when it dies, it will be a bin job!

Damn shame as I sold a lot of them in a shop I had going some years back.

The Marinetec has a lot of features such as the fishtracker and other goodies but very hard to find them from the menu and kinda user-friendly in that respect.

Probably go Furuno or JVC next time..........

[waykel]

Check out the Navman range. They had a few probs but are sorted now. They have an excellant backup service.
Waykel

[catchy_fishy]

I'll start with my homeowrk and post a few models up that I find in my range, thanks for the input.

Mike