I am looking for some info on fishfinders. I am buying a friends boat and he is keeping the electronics (furuno nice stuff) but leaving me with a small GPS so I need to pick up something for myself. Boat is a 21 cc that was used mostly fishing monomoy. I am not comfortable enough to fish the rips exclusively and will most likely be using it for some bottom fishing or in less snarly water until I become a more confident operator. Not going to use it many times for the next two years or so until my kids get a little older but I didn't want to pass up the deal I got on this. Looking for any advice - new vs used and any model or specifics you might recommend. Price point is 500 to 1000, but open to all suggestions.

Thanks in advance

I installed a Furuno 620 last spring with a good thru hull transducer and am very happy with it. For the FF and transducer it was around $900+. Relatively the same unit as the 585 but smaller scene and 600 vs 1000w. The 620 was in my budget. Like I said I am very happy with it so far and would recommend it for a 21cc.

You'll find that most guys will say to buy the best unit you can afford to. But your options will be limited physical size wise.

I have the 620myself, great machine. If you're not going to use it much in the next two years, look for a used better machine.

beamie, Have you been able to mark groundfish? It's the only thing I can't seem to mark. I mark bass,blues,tuna,bait fine and have played with settings till the cows come home to try and mark them. Everyone I talk that fishes for alot of groundfish says you need 1000w machine to mark them.

I have the Garmin 545s dual transducer (50/200) and it is available for under $1000

Last season was short for me and didn't codfish with it in deep water, so I can't answer that question. So far just used it for bass, blues and most important bait. I like seeing the bottom shape most of all. No doubt the more powerful machine would be better but if your off the bank in 275 that isn't that deep relatively speaking and would hope 600w would still work. What kind of ducer do you have. If I remember correctly I think mine was a B744V bronze thru hull, this was the upper end of the middle range but the best one for 600w.

Did you have good results one the bank in 120'?

I am sure you have figures how to zoom in on just the bottom 15' or so.

Thanks guys, I should maybe add - although it is a CC design is a custom pilot house on a Privateer Roamer. Its a real no frills work boat design that I really love, therefore unit will stay dry. Also should add, that when I say bottom fishing, I am refering to seabass, scup, fluke, not real deep water but will mostly be for bottom, and bait in the search for bass and blues.

Scup and BSB show up with the 545. So do cod in 150'.
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I have a transom mounted airmar ducer. I pick bait up (sandeels) great on the bottom but don't mark cod in any depths. I've looked at machine when it's lock and load and don't mark them. I tried all kinds of adjustments.

Buzz next time we're in same area codfishing, we'll get side by side to compare marks

You say this boat has/had Furuno stuff.
You getting the boat with a transducer ?
Furuno sounders are the standard with commercial guys.
I may be looking to sell my FCV585 if your interested.
Ask around,, awesome machine.
That said sounders are only as good as the transducer.
Also. knowing how to tune and read the screen is also key.

Buzz next time we're in same area codfishing, we'll get side by side to compare marks

Sure. My system picked up those cod last April 2, at the **** buoy which is how I found the hot spot that day!

James- You could put me up on the bow. I'm a great look out and would be happy to help you out.

"James- You could put me up on the bow. I'm a great look out and would be happy to help you out"

My first choice was going to be a hot babe on the bow as a lookout - but the married, two smal kids, beer gut, salt and pepper balding hair and glasses thing kinda gets in the way of that dream. A "great look out" is different than a "great looker" but yeah you can proably jump right onboard!

I'll post pictures at some point. Boat is wrapped right now so not worth taking but I may be able to find a few from us fishing on it. Its my CC neighbor and good fisihing buddy who is selling it to me so its in located and will stay in Harwich.

I also have the 640 for the last 2 seasons and it work awesome!! I marl cod and such ok with it also.
I have a airmar thur hull ducer but for get the number on it?

For all of you who posted about a "good transducer" how can you tell what's good and what isn't? I will probably go with a transom mount.

I'm looking to sell my year old furuno 620 sounder w/p66 transom mount transducer for a good deal. I'm in mass. Pm if interested thanks

For all of you who posted about a "good transducer" how can you tell what's good and what isn't? I will probably go with a transom mount.

Airmar makes about 90% of the transducer sold, you might want to check out their website.

I have the 600 with the p66 ducer and it is more than capable for what I want it to do. Just learn how to manually tune it. Dont use the auto settings.

I also have a 600 with a 525st thru hull it works OK in deep water and is reliable what ever you decide i would definitely go with a furuno