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The more powerful unit will definately give you a clearer picture, even in shallow water. Sometimes the literature says its better for the deep water, but that's really not the major advantage. With the bigger set, you are better able to distinguish tuna from bluefish, and bass from blues. And you can definately pick up bait better with the bigger machine. Also, if you do any codfishing at all - the bigger machine makes fishing easier.
Sometimes I set our machine on dual display, and its surprising how sometimes I'll pick up bait balls on 53mgz, that barely show on 200 (that said, I most often use the 200).
Here is the best analogy I can think of -- we just replaced our Radar last week and when it came down to antennaes - we chose to upgrade from from the 24 mile to the 48 mile. - I'm never in a million years going to pick up a target at 48 miles (not even 24 for that matter), put the increased power gives a much clearer picture of everything inside the normal range that we monitor - I can now see every single lobster trap, and can get a much better read on the direction other boats are traveling.
Hope that helps a little.
Oh, upgrading the transdoucer can help if you don't want to spend the cake on the bigger unit. We've got the monster Airmar, and its a nice addition.
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