I am thinking of upgrading my hummingbird fishfinder to a lowrance or furuno.

Something that gives a real sonar signal not little fishies on the screen..

Any suggestions/advice would be great.
What do you guys have????

Furuino 667 - Can find 'em relatively cheap recently as I think they are discontinuing that model.... But how much do you want to spend?

I think I saw that one at the boat show last night.
$$ wise 3-4 bills. Should be able to get a good unit for that.

I am hearing mixed opinions of the lowrance line.
Furuno is a big name in radar and gps, not sure about sonar.

That 667 is nice and if you look you MIGHT find it for $400+

COLOR CRT!!!! http://furuno.com/Furuno/Doc/0/VE1ILQCF0FU4HEOCAK5D27LU7F/fcv667lg.jpg Alot of bass comms use it...

Yes that is nice. I have been look at that one and it B&W brother.

I am catious about color, I've heard they can wash out
in bright sun...They claim they dont.

Got to do more research.

Thanks,

Van, I was told the new ones have improved the color //sunlight

When I sold my boat a furano went with it/used 5 years / no problems

Just got a sitex Pro #3 /cheap money / but with the winter we have had ,all I can tell you is how deep it is at the slip
Good luck//////////

Lowrance has a good reputation and I've used their sister companies (Eagle) products for years. You might be surprised what you might get out of your existing product. I'm convinced 5 out of 10 boaters are completely clueless about how to properly use their fish finders. The first tip is when I see the little fishy signals, worst thing you can do is live the fish ID on, robs the unit of sensitivity. I play with my unit (leave it, I know your tempted, but leave it) all the time, try to find new ways to tweak the sensitivity, you might want to try yours as well. I'd be surprised if you can't shut off the fish ID, crank up the sensitivity and get much better results.

GS:

My existing is a hummingbird, I bought it about 8 years ago.
It is a basic model, which was around 200$ then.

It does mark fish, and I can tell how deep it is, but I
feel I am definately losing something when there is bait around
or schools of bottom fish around (cod etc.).

WhenI get marks on myy hummigbird, I dont know if its bait or
bigger fish, the little fish symbols crowd together.

I was thinking that a sounder (with actual sonar signal) gives more detail and if learned well will provide better knowledge of what is down there.

I have seen a couple of lowrance units on boats I've been on, but I think like John said the pros use furuno.

A guy I work with says look into the transducer (construction/sensitivity), thats where
the real "heart" of the unit is.

More input is welcome
thanks,
V.

i found a portable gps APELCO RAYMARINE RATHEON GPS 11 with everything included holder data cable books box looked like a good deal i hope it works ebay 75.00 i looked it up says it goes for 300.00 i contacted the seller and he says he used it on his boat nice sturdy unit so ill see when it comes keep my fingers crossed!! now for that fishfinder!! im on the hunt!!
:D

I bought a eagle last year and it has been greta. I bought it after My budy bought a Lowrance X87 and it to is great but he paided $300 for his and I got the same thing in the Eagle brand for $239. Hey to me $60 bucks is $60 bucks more fuel for the boat.

Macojoe

Van I know what you mean with the fish ID I kept thinking that there was a fish under the boat and then I reach over and pushed on his pole I realised it was picking up his sinker. You should be able to turn that off. Then you see an upsidedown U . Its just showing the reflection off the backbone . That will help distigush a fish from structure. Then depending if your moving or still change some other stuff. Mine had fast track the other one it was chart speed. you got to play around with it you probably have more than you realise. If my uncle was alive he could outfish anyone with his Ray Jefferson flasher. If you don't believe me ask smokie. I was just looking for some info on a GPS and got side tracked. Waas or something else ,a nice map or numbers ,hand held or LCD display .....

I have the 667 and it is a solid perfromer. Been using it for years. The unit is built tough and can take a beating. It also will mark boat speed and water temp. Raytheon has come out with a new digital technology that looks impressive. Check it out in this months Saltwater Sportsman. tight lines

Dav:

Good input thanks. On the gps thing , Are you looking to buy one? I bought the ray 425 chartplotter last year and it is awesome. WAAS accuracy is pinpoint. It was the lowest cost quality unit I could find and I don't like standard horizon electronics..

Duke:

On the fishfinder, I looked at the 667, but realized its a TV type unit. Too big (deep) for my dash. But the 6100 has the same guts, capabilities but it is LCD (black and white) and only like 3" thick. Cost is under 300 with transducer./ I'm still up in the air, and for now with this friggin snow, I may not be able to get the boat out of the yard till JULY !!!!!!!

Thanks guys keep it coming...
V.