fishfinder woes

[salty pig]

 Ok it will cost me a 100 to send my outdated garmin 168 to get fixed. it doesnt pick up the bottom all the time and NEVER saw any fish on the damn thing!.. even after i tried a new trans on it...

So I want to get a new fishfinder  but should i keep the old one and just use it as gps or buy a combo unit??  What kind of fishfinder should i get?? i was lookin  at the raymarine 550 i think it is or a humminbird since they both  have A scope.  Any suggestions and no i dont want a 1000 unit   4-500 be fine.

[Luna Sea 5]

i like the garmin, very nice unit and reasonable.

[IrishAyes]

Hi Salty, you can pick up a Furuno 620 for about $700.  I know it's a bit above what you want but it is a sweet unit.  I have the 585, which is the same unit but a larger screen.  If nothing else, at least do your self a favor and check it out. 

[rugman]

I will sell you one that i got off catfish , it is to hi teck for me . It is a colored ff/gps eagle  $450.00 with all the chips it is like new that is what I payed for it and he payed about eight t^it is a eagle ff/ggs/colored 642 comes with two chips on and off shore 

[mboy]

This is what you want JOhnny and this is where you want to get it:

http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=32476&cat=2620&page=2

Kep the other to use as gps (or gps backup). This way you can have 1 ful screen for gps and 1 full screen for fishfinder.

[CapBob]

Salty

Best thing i can tell you is go down to consumers MArine in Wall.....all the units are on display, you can kick the tires and pick the brains of the staff.....plus you pretty much are not going to bet the price.......

I run a Furuno for my main unit and have a Garmin 178C FF/GPS for backup

[salty pig]

http://www.boatersland.com/gpsmap498.html

tell me what you guys think is this what i need?... its one mboy had posted i think cant access that page.

[mboy]

That is the one unless you have more $$$ to spend.

[wb]

I have the 498 it works well only trouble is when the 'ducer gets schmutzy from being inwater 24/7 then it won't pick up bottom when motoring over 10kts.... Clean it up and it's fine again.... That's a good price if you can actually get one.

[mboy]

I have the 498 it works well only trouble is when the 'ducer gets schmutzy from being inwater 24/7 then it won't pick up bottom when motoring over 10kts.... Clean it up and it's fine again.... That's a good price if you can actually get one.

They all do that.

I have some transducer paint to try this year, but not looking for much in the way of results from it.

Was cheap enough to try tho.

[IrishAyes]

I put two coats of the transducer paint on and don't have a problem with mine. Works great all season, even at cruising speed. 

[mboy]

Which do you use, the MDR?

[IrishAyes]

This is the stuff.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C10918%7C296162%7C1017093&id=28012

It has a brush build into the handle. I usually go for a 1" brush and pour the contents of the bottle into a cup when I apply it.

It can be picked up at any boat supply store.

[mboy]

Yup. same stuff as I have (appears from pic of bottle anyway).

Believe it is made by MDR or is called MDR. One of the 2.

[PHIL]

Garmin, Garmin, Garmin

[mchizhik]

Stay away from raymarine.....crap all the way.

[catfish hunter]

raymarine is no good at this point they wont back up there products ,look what they did w/ there satilite and the a 65 unit.I just bought a garmin 4208 and so far I like it ,I need to learn it better but It is nice

[salty pig]

Got the 498 in  now I just gotta mount the transducer... Just hope its right when i do it cause i dont want to pull the sucker out of the water to redo it lol

[mboy]

Take your time doin' it Sully.

[PeggyLee]

I use the Garmin Color and very pleased with it.Do coat the underside of the ducer with MDR.More bells and whistles than I can ever need(or figure out).      Capt.AJ