Updating sounder

[Hot_Snappa]

Was hoping someone may be able to give some advice on updating the sounder in my boat. I have read lots and lots of threads on this and it appears that after sales service is also as big an issue as choosing the right sounder! I live in the southern states so I don't know how after sales will be!
These are the specs of the Eagle Fish ID sounder that I currently have (no laughing please! ) on my Savage 4.5 Scorpion.
Transmitter - 192kHz, Output Power - 275 watts peak to peak typical 34.4 watts RMS, Pixels 50V x 27H (1350 total)
As I don't have a lot of leisure time , I only get to go fishing 4-5 times a year, in either estuarys, lakes or bays/inshore and generally only use the sounder for depth readings (probably because that is what it does best!)
I have done some investigation and am looking at maybe the Lowrance X52 or the Garmin FF120 as I am thinking that these entry level sounders will be a HUGE improvement over what I have now. I could go up another level to say the X125 or the FF250D or even the FurunoLS4100, but would need to be convinced that for the amount of fishing that I do, the extra dollars would be worth it.
I would gratefully welcome all comments to assist me in purchasing a new sounder. Please also let me know if I am on the completely wrong track in my selected group of sounders
Cheers

Dave

[harry_h01]

Dave

I just purchased and installed a Garmin FF140. It is the update from the FF120. It has a dual transducer and works a treat.

I picked it up for less than the price of the FF120 and it does a few more things that the 120 can't.

Just my thoughts.

Harry

[Hot_Snappa]

Harry,
appreciate your comments. The Garmin sounders did seem pretty good and also very good value for money. Did the Lowrance come into your calculations?
Cheers

Dave

[Hot_Snappa]

Was thinking that my post would have given me lots of useable & valuable responses....

Whats the magic word in the classifieds .. Bump!!!

Dave

[Sean]

You can get the humminbird Matrix 17 on E-bay from USA for $260 Aus, delivered. Has a lot more pixels and quite a few more features. Warranty will be an issue though...I'm waiting for mine to arrive, any day now!!This unit is around $450 retail. The Garmin ff140 was my second choice...will be in Aus (retail) in the next week or so...you should be able to get it for around $225. Sean

[harry_h01]

Snappa,

The Lowrance was on my list, but I went for the FF140.

Sean,

I got my FF140 for $225 Aust. It has an Australian warranty, so I am happy.

Harry

[Burley_Boy]

Maybe pickup an older unit second hand.
My boat came with a Lowrance X85, a unit that a lot of guys used to use, the guy I bought off (Hagar) did a lot of offshore work with it and at the time said it was great, I've still got teh tranducer fitted to the boat ready for use.
I've seen these units second hand for about $100. I had a Matrix37 that takes my GPS as well and works well so I never really got into using the Lowrance but I'm quite happy to keep the unit as a spare. So my thinking is that for that sort of money you probably pick up a much better unit second hand as the user upgrades to colour.

Ask others though what they think of some older units they used prior to colour and you could pick up a bargain. Ensure the transducer works though as a replacement will usually cost you!...