Need advice on FishFinders

I've decided to finally get a fishfinder.  Can I get a current run-down on what's out there and what people recommend?

These are my desired criteria:

- ease of use
- best battery life setup
- compact size
- reliability

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Eric   

Getting jocked up for GSIII, are ya?  Well, in that case, you HAVE to get bottom line's fishin buddy.  No self respecting north coast angler could live without one.   (J/k)

Like SBD said in an earlier post, the Eagle 245DS is virtually bomb proof.
I use that with 10AA rechargeable batteries . Very light, very compact.

I've got the same set up as Tote but I gooped the transducer to the inside hull. Only recently installed, only have used it twice, works great so far
No GPS if you want that option?
Hint, keep dielectric grease on all elect. connections to prevent corrosion.

et tu, abking? 

I've still had no issues with my Cuda 250S/MAP!  Just like the 245, but with a basic GPS built in.  I like seeing my speed while trolling and marking quick waypoints when fishing.  I also installed the pool noodle mount, no issues in over a year pulling it out and putting back in.  Works for days on a 10AA rechargeable setup, using decent batteries.  

Here's a link for a 10 cell AA battery holder. Nopt a bad price; $2.30:

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/battery-holders.htm

et tu, abking? 

Not all of us mortals are up to hard core "Soul Fishing" like you Blue.......

But that is how I learned from those that came before me.

I just like to know where the rocks on the bottom are.

I, like alshobie love my eagle cuda 250. I have had no issues and use an 8 AA battery setup that works all day.

Install was a snap as is daily use. I especially like the GPS for waypoints.

Stoggie

The waterproof connectors on this one make it a slam dunk for ocean fishing and way better to deal with after a messy surf launch and landing. Humminbirds connectors, not so much.

if you go the 10 AA battery route for the power supply, I have an extra holder that I got from link below. They are inexpensive but the shipping dbls the cost. Yours if you want it.

Here's a link for a 10 cell AA battery holder. Nopt a bad price; $2.30:

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/battery-holders.htm

et tu, abking? 

Yeah, ya know, I'm not thrilled about it...   

Salmon trolling's one thing I'll always feel great about w/o the use of the electronics, but the rockfishing presents a whole new world for me to explore being able to see the structure.  I'm excited about the possibilities, and it also factors in to my desire to get out to Pacific Halibut territory off the Humboldt coast. 

Thanks for the info, all.   

Russ, funny you mentioned about the humminbird connectors. I am in the process
of returning my Piranha 240 for repair under warranty. I have not taken out the
kayak long enough to actually have all these troubles to make the FF work each
time I go on the water. I wonder if the Eagle Cuda also makes the scupper hole
transducers. If so, I may go this route just simply because all the good things I
hear about the Eagle brand. Sorry for the thread jack Eric.

Jedmo

Eric, I've had the Humminbird Matrix 27 for like 4 years and it's survived about 60 ocean trips. They don't make the Matrix series anymore but the 500 and 700 series uses the same body construction on the head unit so I bet they're good too. I just bought a 535 for my P13 and I'm in the process of exchanging the factory transducer for the scupper transducer.
Not sure if you want a FF w/built-in GPS or not. That's up to you--there are pluses and negatives to consider. But I'm surprised you don't already have a handheld unit in that huge drybag of yours haha. That's how I roll w/my handheld GPS mounted in a removable RAM mount. It is pretty much mandatory to navigate around all these damned reserves down here now.
I use my FF to monitor depth and locate offshore structure and it works great for that.

Jed, only Humminbird makes the scupper transducers. But you might be able to jerry-rig something.

Like SBD said in an earlier post, the Eagle 245DS is virtually bomb proof.
I use that with 10AA rechargeable batteries . Very light, very compact.

ditto on the same FF...cheap and it WORKS in seeing Rock, Sand, Mud & FISH!