Best fish finder?

Hello! I am looking at getting my first fish finder. I was looking at Hummimbird mainly at first since my kayak has a transducer scupper for them.

However, I think I am leaning toward just having an arm over the side of the boat.

What companies are the best? How is Humminbird v Lowrance v Garmin v Raymarine etc?

I only would like to spend like $200. I was thinking of getting a high-end unit first, but I think getting a slightly smaller more basic model might be better for my first ff.

Thanks!

I'm here if you have any questions pertaining to the lowrance line of products.  I think I just saw the Elite 4 HDI for $200 online.  Color FISHFINDER/GPS combo.  Older unit but great deal.

Grandpa

I'm here if you have any questions pertaining to the lowrance line of products.  I think I just saw the Elite 4 HDI for $200 online.  Color FISHFINDER/GPS combo.  Older unit but great deal.

Can you tell me about the Helix 9 models and how well they integrate into iPilot link?  what is your experience with those and working with Cannon Digitrolls?

Grandpa

??

I'm here if you have any questions pertaining to the lowrance line of products.  I think I just saw the Elite 4 HDI for $200 online.  Color FISHFINDER/GPS combo.  Older unit but great deal.

Can you tell me about the Helix 9 models and how well they integrate into iPilot link?  what is your experience with those and working with Cannon Digitrolls?

He works for Lowrance, the ones you mentioned are Humminbird.

I'm here if you have any questions pertaining to the lowrance line of products.  I think I just saw the Elite 4 HDI for $200 online.  Color FISHFINDER/GPS combo.  Older unit but great deal.

Where did you see it for $200? It was on Gander Mtn, but its sold out.

Check cabelas.i posted the link on the for sale

Check cabelas.i posted the link on the for sale

Thanks, it looks like its gone already.

I just picked up a lowrance hook-4 for $199 at west marine.  The unit has CHIRP sonar and downscan. No GPS for the $199 unit, gotta pay $299 for that one. I like the unit so far, good power (3200 peak to peak I think) good resolution and decent screen size. Plus it has roughly the same size transducer as my old elite 4 had making the install easy. Oh yea, and the split screen feature is pretty awesome

I looked at garmin units under $200, and the ray marine dragonfly that goes for $250. These units had GPS. The garmin had better resolution, was the cheapest, but was lower power and had a small screen. The raymarine was just a bit too expensive and had a really big transducer, but also a huge screen, good power and resolution. Ultimately you should pick the unit that matches your fishing needs. I went with the lowrance because the extra power helps when trying to find Kokanee schools in deep water. If I fished the coast regularly, I would've purchased the higher end lowrance for the GPS capabilities. I also pay close attention to the frequency ranges that the sonar uses...80 kHz is for shallower water because it casts a wider beam, 200 is for the deeper water. Most units used to come with some variation of these two frequency ranges. That seems to have changed as the units I looked at had a great range of frequencies employed. The CHIRP basically uses all frequencies in between and the downscan uses a very high frequency for fine detail ( at least I think that's how it goes) Hope some of this helps you narrow down your choice.

I'm here if you have any questions pertaining to the lowrance line of products.  I think I just saw the Elite 4 HDI for $200 online.  Color FISHFINDER/GPS combo.  Older unit but great deal.

Can you tell me about the Helix 9 models and how well they integrate into iPilot link?  what is your experience with those and working with Cannon Digitrolls?

He works for Lowrance, the ones you mentioned are Humminbird.

Nope - don't work for them.  Just part of their Pro Staff & special teams group

Ben - wrong product line . Lowrance & Motor guide.  Rumor has it Motor guide might have some new stuff soon?!  More power?  Auto deploy?  Integrated sonar?  Other new stuff?  Peaking interest ... Time will tell soon

I'm here if you have any questions pertaining to the lowrance line of products.  I think I just saw the Elite 4 HDI for $200 online.  Color FISHFINDER/GPS combo.  Older unit but great deal.

Can you tell me about the Helix 9 models and how well they integrate into iPilot link?  what is your experience with those and working with Cannon Digitrolls?

He works for Lowrance, the ones you mentioned are Humminbird.

Nope - don't work for them.  Just part of their Pro Staff & special teams group

Ben - wrong product line . Lowrance & Motor guide.  Rumor has it Motor guide might have some new stuff soon?!  More power?  Auto deploy?  Integrated sonar?  Other new stuff?  Peaking interest ... Time will tell soon

motor guide definitely needs an auto stow deploy so i can make an easier decision for my boat.  hopefully one that integrates with my other systems, can fold out deploy so i don't have to modify my bow rail, etc.  and also, cheap.

I only would like to spend like $200. I was thinking of getting a high-end unit first, but I think getting a slightly smaller more basic model might be better for my first ff.

This is a good way to start, and you wont regret it (as much) when it breaks for some reason.  I think the Lowrance lower end units are a great buy and work well.  I tend to buy my FF's at West Marine and get the 1 or 2 year extended warranty.  However Lowrance's warranty is a pretty good one to start, I like the piece of mind knowing I can go to the store and swap it out if it dies at anytime. 

Grandpa

??

Nothing or nobody, finds fish better than grandpa

Grandpa

??

Nothing or nobody, finds fish better than grandpa

If so, I can't wait until I'm a grandpa...