NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => General Fishing Tips => Topic started by: Level 4 on July 02, 2012, 05:07:18 PM

Title: $200 fish finder?
Post by: Level 4 on July 02, 2012, 05:07:18 PM: If you had $200 to spend on a fish finder, what would you buy?
Thanks Level 4
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: AlsHobieOutback on July 02, 2012, 05:09:41 PM: This or any of the compact Lowrance units are my favorites: http://basspro.com/Lowrance-Mark4-Fishfinder/Chartplotter/product/11090805011714/247264 (http://basspro.com/Lowrance-Mark4-Fishfinder/Chartplotter/product/11090805011714/247264)

Mix and match options/prices they pretty much have a model for everyone now :smt002
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: CamoDon on July 02, 2012, 07:26:37 PM: Just received a Lowrance Mark 4 - DSI GPS/Sonar combo from cabelas. It was $199 out the door as shipping is currently free. Plus they're giving 20% back in cabelas points for those who are cabela club members...

I used it for the first time on Saturday in HMB and thought it worked great.

As Joe Bob Briggs would say - "Check it out"
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: Calypso on July 04, 2012, 06:50:01 PM: I'm looking at the Lowrance Elite 4x DSI unit for my new yak, sells for under $200 and the DSI is awesome !
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: ravensblack on July 04, 2012, 07:16:57 PM: http://www.basspro.com/Humminbirdreg;-570-Sonar-Fishfinder/product/53521700/249833?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT (http://www.basspro.com/Humminbirdreg;-570-Sonar-Fishfinder/product/53521700/249833?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT)
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: RacinRob on July 04, 2012, 07:21:13 PM: Think about transducer mounting on the DSI units. Needs to be in the water, not in the hull. At least that is what I hear to be fact.
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: Fishbucket on July 04, 2012, 10:35:30 PM: Quote from: racinrob on July 04, 2012, 07:21:13 PM
that is what I hear to be fact.

Hear Hear.. I'll second that fact ! :smt001

The cone angle is wide... but very narrow. It will show depth and bottom contour but, has a hard time picking up detail shooting thru hull.
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: WingShooter on July 04, 2012, 11:06:38 PM: I have a Mark4 and really like it. For the money I think it's your best bet.
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: AlsHobieOutback on July 04, 2012, 11:54:53 PM: Quote from: Fishbucket on July 04, 2012, 10:35:30 PM
Quote from: racinrob on July 04, 2012, 07:21:13 PM
that is what I hear to be fact.

Hear Hear.. I'll second that fact ! :smt001

The cone angle is wide... but very narrow. It will show depth and bottom contour but, has a hard time picking up detail shooting thru hull.
I'll have to call BS on this one :smt002 It's working great shooting through the hull :smt003 Only thing is i'm not really getting very many arches, but detects bait pretty darn well.
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: SacJack on July 05, 2012, 09:30:05 PM: I'm debating whether I should buy the Lowrance mark 4 or the elite 4x DSI. Which one you guys think I should get?
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: casey7 on July 08, 2012, 10:48:52 AM: I am looking at the Lowrance mark 4x dsi also. I am wondering Just how easy or difficult it is to orientate to structure as compared to a cheaper non dsi model. Can I determine the direction a reef edge follows .
In other words , how does it compare to side scanning with it's whole picture.
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: Mienboy on July 08, 2012, 10:59:25 AM: Quote from: AlsHobieOutback on July 04, 2012, 11:54:53 PM
Quote from: Fishbucket on July 04, 2012, 10:35:30 PM
Quote from: racinrob on July 04, 2012, 07:21:13 PM
that is what I hear to be fact.

Hear Hear.. I'll second that fact ! :smt001

The cone angle is wide... but very narrow. It will show depth and bottom contour but, has a hard time picking up detail shooting thru hull.
I'll have to call BS on this one :smt002 It's working great shooting through the hull :smt003 Only thing is i'm not really getting very many arches, but detects bait pretty darn well.
i would go with alshobieai,i thought the same thing from the reviews but it seems to be working for al.if your doing alot of bottom fishing alot of times the fish sits on the bottom so you wouldnt pick it up.and besides did you guys see the size of his wsb :smt003
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: Level 4 on July 20, 2012, 05:54:19 AM: Thanks for all the responses guys. Do they make a supper mount transducer for this model?
Thanks Level 4
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: StephKillsit on July 20, 2012, 07:11:12 AM: West Marine has a Lowrance Mark-4X DSI Portable (non colored) for sale for $199. It's on clearance because it was d/c but DSI is awesome.
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: Igor on July 20, 2012, 07:42:42 AM: Quote from: StephL on July 20, 2012, 07:11:12 AM
West Marine has a Lowrance Mark-4X DSI Portable (non colored) for sale for $199. It's on clearance because it was d/c but DSI is awesome.

do you mean FF only - not FF and GPS combo unit?
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: StephKillsit on July 20, 2012, 09:13:21 AM: Quote from: free8135 on July 20, 2012, 07:42:42 AM
Quote from: StephL on July 20, 2012, 07:11:12 AM
West Marine has a Lowrance Mark-4X DSI Portable (non colored) for sale for $199. It's on clearance because it was d/c but DSI is awesome.

do you mean FF only - not FF and GPS combo unit?

Its just the FF not GPS combo unit. Wish it did though.
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: Igor on July 20, 2012, 12:00:33 PM: do you prefer DSI over GPS?

since I do not have experience with FF I still cannot decide if DSI worth extra $$$
Title: Re: $200 fish finder?
Post by: StephKillsit on July 20, 2012, 01:10:04 PM: Good point. I'm new to all this as well and I am wondering now also if DSI is effective to see structure or is regular sonar just as good? If I am fishing from say 10-100 feet of water what would be the best route to go to see all bottom structure and fish? I just want to be able to see if there are obstacle, that could cause me to snag, especially if I am anchoring down.