out-of-order fishfinder : want a new one

[Arzic Olivier]

Hi there !
My eagle fisfinder 160 went out of service after 2 long years of every week-end work !
The French distributor will charge me more than 300 $ to have it repaired (sob.. S.O.B. !!!).

As I'll be visiting RI soon (holiday, YES !!!!!), and checked the US prices on the net, I seriously think about replacing it with a new one.
I liked the fishmark 160 a lot, but it's now discontinued, and I'll probably upgrade to a 320 (discontinued too ?) : I want to stay in the $150 range, and found it around $170 at @@@@@@.com.

1 - Any advice about my choice ? Any experience with Garmin or Hummingbird Matrix or other stuff in that range ? I just want a fair product for fair money. General advice here, PM otherwise...

2 - Any local dealer on the forum with such a product on the close-out shelf ? Or any offer ? This is no go -down auction, so please PM, I'll PM back and I'll pay you a visit during my vacation !

Thanks to everybody for your help
Olivier

[macojoe]

I had the 320DF and I have to say I was not the happiest guy with it. Only had it one season. They just stole it off my boat and a friend recomended a Garmin 160 Blue.
I did a search and found a 160 but not blue??

I have found them and the difference is that the Blue has a dual freq transducer and the 160 does not.

Any way I went to ebay and won a brand new in the box Garmin 160 for $98.00
I have installed on my boat and I will tellyou it is the best finder I have ever owned!! It shows fish and you catch fish!!

I had my stolen stuff recovered and just sold it! I love my Garmin!!

They have some brand new stuffon there right now for near $120

Good Luck

[Hooper]

makes a great machine and their lower priced models are very good from what I have heard.

[Arzic Olivier]

Thanks to Hooper and MacoJoe.

MJ, what didn't you like in the 320DF ?
I'm not sure I care with the Dual Frequency, as I never fish fathom over 300 feet.
Any comment on the advantages of the DF?

I've been very happy with my Fishmark 160, including the fact that the skimmer still transmitted at "high" speed (over 30 knots).
How can you scout the spots if your device shows nothing over 5 knots (seen this on friend's boats ...).
Its features were fine enough for me, what I would enjoy would be a better screen resolution, and more grey levels (color still too expensive !).
Furuno have earned a good professional reputation here in France (historical ?), but in my mind also have professional prices. Have to check it out once more. Any product reference for these ?

Anybody using the Hummingbird Matrix fishfinders ? They look great and have that smart plug-in system.

E-bay auctions are a good idea, but I won't spend my time on the computer while on vacation, I'd rather visit the shops, and I'm sure I can make a good deal with a local, conscious, professional !
Anybody here ???

Thanks again,
Olivier

[Hooper]

I have a very good friend of mine who was born in France while his family served overseas and his name is Olivier also!

An inherrent practical joker he is!

[Arzic Olivier]

Could have been me... Were I fluent enough in American.
Will be better in 3 weeks !!!

[179]

The Garmin 160 Blue is a great innexpensive fish finder

[macojoe]

My 320Df failed to track at high speed! I am not sure what it was the dual freg or what but never seemed to work right?? Maybe it was me maybe the machine but I did not like it.

The Garmin 160 is the same as the 160 blue except that the blue is a dual freg and the 160 is a single.

So far I love it!!