Looking for a fish finder. What's good?

Looking for a moderately priced fish finder mostly for depth. Not too worried about anything super flashy. I've looked at the Deeper Pro that pairs with my phone. Amy good or should I be looking at something else? I am riding in a Malibu Pro 2 Tandem.

Did you see my post?

I have a Garmin that is pretty basic and seems to be indestructible.

I have a helix 5 that’s for sale.

Looking for a moderately priced fish finder mostly for depth. Not too worried about anything super flashy. I've looked at the Deeper Pro that pairs with my phone. Amy good or should I be looking at something else? I am riding in a Malibu Pro 2 Tandem.

I think I would stay clear of phone fish finders. If it gets damaged I think most phones cost more than a basic fish finder. You can mount a FF so it won’t fall out of your hands and overboard. If you want a warranty buy one new. A new basic Lowrance or Humminbird is $300 to $350. Any of the name brands are likely to be useful. I suggest you don’t get one without gps. Being able to track your route on a map and mark your launch or fishing spots is a must.

Look carefully at the specifications of a model before you buy. Sometimes an X indicates no GPS. Sometimes one model year has CHIRP and an earlier year with the same name doesn’t. Some models have sd card slots for upgraded maps, others rely on base maps that you can improve with your sonar tracks.

I think I would stay clear of phone fish finders. ... I suggest you don’t get one without gps.

Phone FF does not seem like a good idea, but you can go cheap on the FF and use your phone for GPS...

I'll second getting one with GPS. Even if you don't think you need it, I'll bet you'll love it once you start using it. Also, it is a huge safety feature in fog.  I would definitely stay away from a phone-based unit. Having a unit firmly mounted on your boat without worrying about losing or damaging your phone is one less thing to worry about. There is a lot of information in previous threads that you can find with the search function. Personally, I am very happy with my Humminbird Helix 5. Here is a link to a comparison between that and a Raymarine:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=94664.msg1065938#msg1065938

You can easily mount your phone firmly to your kayak and the newer smartphones are all waterproof. I don’t have GPS on my FF and maybe I’d love it if I had it, but I don’t see it as essential.

You can easily mount your phone firmly to your kayak and the newer smartphones are all waterproof. I don’t have GPS on my FF and maybe I’d love it if I had it, but I don’t see it as essential.

I like GPS for saving waypoints.  Fog can also roll in pretty quickly, so it's nice to have a trail back to launch.  A physical compass is a good idea as backup.   

...but I'm also behind most people on phone upgrades, my Galaxy III isn't waterproof, and there isn't a signal most places I fish, so it stays in the truck.

You can easily mount your phone firmly to your kayak and the newer smartphones are all waterproof. I don’t have GPS on my FF and maybe I’d love it if I had it, but I don’t see it as essential.

I like GPS for saving waypoints.  Fog can also roll in pretty quickly, so it's nice to have a trail back to launch.  A physical compass is a good idea as backup.   

...but I'm also behind most people on phone upgrades, my Galaxy III isn't waterproof, and there isn't a signal most places I fish, so it stays in the truck.

GPS on a smartphone should still work even without a cell connection. The mapping app that I use (Gaia GPS) specifically says that it’ll work when out of cell range.

You can easily mount your phone firmly to your kayak and the newer smartphones are all waterproof. I don’t have GPS on my FF and maybe I’d love it if I had it, but I don’t see it as essential.

I like GPS for saving waypoints.  Fog can also roll in pretty quickly, so it's nice to have a trail back to launch.  A physical compass is a good idea as backup.   

...but I'm also behind most people on phone upgrades, my Galaxy III isn't waterproof, and there isn't a signal most places I fish, so it stays in the truck.

GPS on a smartphone should still work even without a cell connection. The mapping app that I use (Gaia GPS) specifically says that it’ll work when out of cell range.

With the Gaia app you need to download an area the map of choice within the app to use out of cell range.

The least expensive humminbird with GPS is $300. It looks like it comes with a $30 rebate though. Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G2. I think I’d rather have the ease of use of a fish finder designed for use on a boat and put $270 at risk rather than a $1000 phone. I’m sure Lowrance and others offer similar priced models. Read the specs carefully. Some have GPS but no SDI card slot so the maps can’t be upgraded except by adding info from the areas you paddle over with your sonar. They have different mounts so compare those before you choose. How adjustable they are and how the wires disconnect may be different. You can also find acceptable used ones online if you don’t want the warranty. Check the specs on the used ones too. Every years models have the lower end units that may be missing features you want.

I subscribe to the FF crowd.  my cell phone is reserved for taking bragging fish pic selfies

I got a Lowrance Hook5 that is pretty good.  hasn't failed me yet.  cost me $370ish??  but you have to factor in other stuff, like a battery.  I went with a $129 Nocqua set up, and my kayak came with the thru-hull kit, and I bought the yakattack ball mount for my hobie rails.  $50ish.  there are other bits to consider when thinking of a Fishfinder.

but yea, I don't think I can ever go back to kayak fishing (bass fishing at this point) without one.   the maps are so helpful.  I like looking ahead to see if there is a cove or how far it goes back, etc.  lots of good intel besides what is under the water surface.

I use a Garmin Striker 4 Plus. It's the model with the ClearVu system, but I never use it. I prefer to run it split screen with the traditional chirp image and the map. Worked pretty well for me so far!

I recommend a GPS and side view sonar on top of the basic functions.  Then think about your budget and get the biggest screen you can afford with your budget (5" or 7", anything bigger you have to probably judge it for yourself). I would say get a Lowrance, which is the recommended fish finder by Hobie.  And that make sense, some of the smaller FFs (9" or smaller) are designed for small boats and small boats are wet (i.e. kayak).  Dont forget, you still have to get a battery.  Search for Chet battery.

Whatever you do, dont get a touch screen.