Sounder recommendations

[Evoids]

Hi all.

I'm looking to get a sounder for my yak around the $200 price range. I could spend a little more depending on the reviews of products but I'm hoping to stay under that limit.

What I'm mainly after from a sounder is depths and maybe bottom structure. Fishfinding would be a bonus but isnt necessary. I fish estuaries but would like to use it in the future for some shallow offshore work probably around the scarborough area.

Could anyone recommend sounder unit that would fit the bill?

Cheers,

Evoids.

[bruus]

I have a Cuda 300 myself which I believe now is called a Lowrance X4. I find that it is reliable which depth and showing my where the holes and drop offs are, even shows me when there is a crab pot and the rope etc. I was a little doubtful about the fish finding abilities of of but now have confidence after I learn't how to interpret it. I would recommend it for sure, you can probably also come close to getting the sounder, battery and a charger for withing your $200 budget. Otherwise for a bit more there is the Garmin 300C which is a bit over the $200 alone but gives you colour and what appears to be a popular choice around here. From what I have read also it is more important to look at the resolution capabilities of the sounders rather that power etc, particularly for when its estuary depths etc. That's what my impression is anyway.

Good luck with the hunt. I know mine has helped my find fish in the pine.

[nezevic]

Yep +1 for the Garmin 300c. I'm very happy with mine. I can pinpoint fish, find bottom structure and density with the colour.

[Dodge]

What I'm mainly after from a sounder is depths and maybe bottom structure. Fishfinding would be a bonus but isnt necessary. I fish estuaries but would like to use it in the future for some shallow offshore work probably around the scarborough area.
.

Mate any of the bottom end sounders will serve you well and be under $200.

I am using an old Cuda 168 [they later ungraded it to a model 242, then the 300, with each having improved resolution but using the same transducer]

And my early Cuda still gives all requirements you mentioned and will show fish arches OK ..... you may find a better picture if you slow down the scroll speed, and think I am on 50% from memory and is adequate for paddle speeds.

[Davey G]

all sounders do the same thing - look for the best resolution (pixels) you can find in the price bracket you can afford.

a good (hi-resolution) black and white sounder is still far better than a cheap (low resolution) colour model.

any of the mainstream brands are good, lowrance, humminbird, garmin etc

[Evoids]

Cheers for the advice guys. What could you suggest in the way of mounting brackets? Do they come standard with the sounder or is it a sold seperately/build it yourself kind of thing?

[Dodge]

Cheers for the advice guys. What could you suggest in the way of mounting brackets? Do they come standard with the sounder or is it a sold seperately/build it yourself kind of thing?

everything you need comes packed in the box with the unit

[Helveticus]

everything you need comes packed in the box with the unit

You need a 12V battery and a charger as well. Keep that in mind when budgeting.

[bildad]

Regularly visit BCF online, I bought a Garmin 300C for $224 Delivered (only 17 left), but about a month later they had more for $160 (only 50 left).
I originally had a Cuda 300 bought for $99 Ebay worked a treat for depth and temperature showed up structure pretty good, but compared to Garmin 300C the definition is incomparable. For a battery I bought http://www.buyincoins.com/details/recha ... -5364.html
ran my Cuda 300 for about 24 hours straight on simulator mode, ran my Garmin for 15 hours but for the price buy 2, one for spare.

[eagle4031]

Yep +1 for the Garmin 300c. I'm very happy with mine. I can pinpoint fish, find bottom structure and density with the colour.

i am leaning this way as well

[damo83]

I got a Humminbird 210 from Big W at Chermside for $75 thanks to a tip off from someone on here... they were on clearance and there was one left but that was a few weeks ago. Might be worth a phone call, they're up in the "Home Entertainment" section in the glass cabinet with the Sat Navs not in the fishing section.

I haven't installed it yet but have had good experiences with Humminbird in the past and am expecting the same from this unit.

[Evoids]

Oh yeah was definately going to check out Big W for a cheap sounder. I'd definately prefer to spend less if I could on my first sounder so I'll keep shopping around, although that garmin 300c looks pretty nice and is within my price range. Include the battery/charger and I should be within my budget.

Also, there are garmin 300c going from anywhere between $220 and $160 on e-bay!

[Lazybugger]

According to the BCF website last time I looked, the 300c's are back at $249, check though it may have changed. If you were going that high though then its also worth checking out the newer model Garmin echo 300. I think CH Smith have them for $249 and I think whitworths for $258, may not be including postage though.

The price difference between colour and greyscale units has decreased dramatically in the last couple of years, making them a real bargain in comparison imo.

[Evoids]

So many options! Definately going to stop into a BCF in the next couple of days for a look around and play. It looks like it would be very easy to buy an expensive unit, some of them just look so nice. Its all filling my head with very unrealistic visions on spotting fish and bagging out within minutes of being on the water when all I really want to do is spot drop offs and structure better

It will probably be between a garmin 300c and a lowrance x4 or x4 pro. From whats been said here it seems that for the price these two will do what I'm asking well. I'll make the final decision based on prices vs stats when I eventually buy the unit.

As for installing, I'll either have a go myself or take it to my local viking dealer and see if they'll do it. Either way I'll post some pics of the nemo when its done

[Nativeman]

If you were going that high though then its also worth checking out the newer model Garmin echo 300. I think CH Smith have them for $249 and I think whitworths for $258,

Scott Whitworths has these for around $260...anyone rate these or at least have one to give us a review?? HD specs..for the money could be ok...amazing what is coming on the market lately for so few dollars..


Cheers