Looking for opinions on the best depth&fish finder for $225-$300. You see, I have a, umm friend, that's getting one but I wanted to get a few ideas for him to check out...

Thanks...

John

John have him give the Garmin 240 a look see. For the money it has about the best features but will run him closer to the $299. I think Scottch was looking at them but I do not know if he bought one yet?

If someone gave me $400, but it had to be spent on a depth finder, I'd probably replace my Interphase piece of fogged crap with a Lowrance X-85.

Going boating John:).

YUP...gar. 240

mono. not color

depth..temp....265.19..& shp.

gar.....160.....d & t...176.75...& shp

240 blue.....triducer....291.19 & shp.

160 blue....d & t.....199.66 & shp.

x-71...d & t....254.14

x-91...comp. ,....395.03

I just bought the Garmin 160 Blue. I don't think theres that much difference between the 160 and 240 to justify the price difference. They are identical units other than the pixels. Paid $142 for the 160 Blue and $77 for transducer w/speed & temp. Got it at West Marine. 179 has had this unit for awhile and he had good things to say about it.

John,
Like Scotch said I am running the Garmin 160-Blue FF, and it works well. I will occasionally loose bottom contact in turbelant water, such as hard running tides in the breachways, or being close behind another boat's wake. Also occassionally at wide open throttle I will loose bottom contact momentarily.

For the price I think it's the best out there. I am sure some of the more expensive units $400+ are probably a bit better, but also are nearly double the price. I bought mine with the speed / temp transducer for about $225.00.

Hey GB - which one were you thinking about for yourself??? We were talking about that a couple months ago?

If someone gave me $400 for a fish finder, I would raid the change jar, not eat lunch for a week, sneak money from the wifes purse.....and buy a CVS, or Furono, CRT.
There is no comparison to these recorders.
You can tell the difference between jelly fish, bait, schoolies, scup etc.
Once you use one of these .....you will never go back.

John he might want to look at the new Hummingbird 3000 liquid chart thats what I was thinking of they are a bit more than what he wants to spend but worth a look. I have not had the time to give them a good look yet but I hear great things from some of the boaters around here. You can freeze and save a recording with lon. + lad. if hooked up to your gps.

I have the 240 blue. Generally satisfied with it. Had to play with the setting on the transom quite a bit to get consistent performance. About the same kind of performance as 179.

I also modified the transducer bracket so it won't kick up...set a couple of screws in it so it does not move up and down....willing to risk breaking it for better performance.

Thinking about adding a BottomLine tournament for a second finder...went to block on a buddy's parker and that never lost bottom at any speed or depth.

BassmanN I agree. Got the Furuno and I don't think I will ever go back to black and white. If someone gave me $400, I'd do something to dig up another 200 and buy the color. I love it. Never has a problem with it yet.


Bill