Fishfinder/Sonar Upgrade

JLH · 10-12-2007, 04:55 PM

I am looking fot upgrade my Fish Finder over the winter and am wondering if anyone has recommendations on models to look at?

I have a center console so want something removeable. I also want color and a good amount of detail. The very basic unit I have not is ok for identifying structure but I want something that is going to be able to identify fish and especially bait fish.

As far as price goes I'm thinking under 1k...

Thanks in advance for any input.

ReelCrazySportfishing · 10-12-2007, 08:15 PM

I have the humminbird 997 side scan. I cant say enough good things about it. If there is a fish somewhere around the boat ,this unit will find it. Mine is the big one and cost me $2300. the have a smaller unit that is $1000 it is worth every penny.

ARCTEKJim · 10-12-2007, 09:01 PM

wow....pat very nice

ReelCrazySportfishing · 10-12-2007, 09:06 PM

Thanks Jim
The unit is awsome. It picks up everything. Even anchor line of a boat next to me.
Finding bunker with it is very easy. The side scan will pick up the smallest pod.

While drifting for bass, it makes it very easy and quick to pick up where the bass are on a reef.

once you find them. there is a cursor you can move over and mark the spot, so the next drift you can put the boat right over it.
it scans out to the sides 240 feet while still having a lock on the bottom under the boat.

74Formula233 · 10-12-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReelCrazySportfishing

Thanks Jim
The unit is awsome. It picks up everything. Even anchor line of a boat next to me.
Finding bunker with it is very easy. The side scan will pick up the smallest pod.

While drifting for bass, it makes it very easy and quick to pick up where the bass are on a reef.

once you find them. there is a cursor you can move over and mark the spot, so the next drift you can put the boat right over it.
it scans out to the sides 240 feet while still having a lock on the bottom under the boat.

OK so it's like cheating, right?

LOL

Amazing what we have available to us these days!

ReelCrazySportfishing · 10-13-2007, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74Formula233

OK so it's like cheating, right?

LOL

Amazing what we have available to us these days!

The more i learned how to use it the more it felt like cheating.

One draw back I found with the unit. In deep water like 100 feet or more. the side scan dont work as well.

JayR · 10-13-2007, 06:07 AM

You suck Pat!

I'm still drooling over that unit and I a kicking myself for not already making the purchase. It would have paid for itself finding fish during the MA commercial season. One good catch and it have been paid it full.

Kick me....

Next spring I guess and hopefully they will have upgraded it to work with the NMEA 2000 protocol.

I need radar too

When does the spending end?

striper1 · 10-13-2007, 11:09 AM

I was with-in "opening the wallet" away from buying that unit but was afraid to drop the cash. It was said to be an excellent unit but have heard the connections and unit is geared more towards fresh water use and does not have the sealing properties to with stand the harsh salt water environment for more than a couple years.
The use coupled with the commericial license makes it a consumable item and reliabilty is no longer a concern.
Love to hear the reliabilty in a couple years as I know you certainly get it in the water frequently REELCRAZY.

ReelCrazySportfishing · 10-14-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by striper1

I was with-in "opening the wallet" away from buying that unit but was afraid to drop the cash. It was said to be an excellent unit but have heard the connections and unit is geared more towards fresh water use and does not have the sealing properties to with stand the harsh salt water environment for more than a couple years.
The use coupled with the commericial license makes it a consumable item and reliabilty is no longer a concern.
Love to hear the reliabilty in a couple years as I know you certainly get it in the water frequently REELCRAZY.

SO far so good. No problems with the connections. I do not leave the unit on the boat when Im not useing it.
I get no fogging on the screen like I have with other humminbird units in the past.
To be safe because I heard the samething being geared for freshwater use, I picked up a 3 years fix or replace warrenty when i bought it.

JLH · 10-14-2007, 09:05 PM

Thanks a bunch. I had been thinking of one of those units - the fact that you find it so useful it definitely a plus for that one!!

10-12-2007, 04:55 PM	#1
JLH NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: May 2007 Location: Live in CT but fish mainly in RI Posts: 11	Fishfinder/Sonar Upgrade I am looking fot upgrade my Fish Finder over the winter and am wondering if anyone has recommendations on models to look at? I have a center console so want something removeable. I also want color and a good amount of detail. The very basic unit I have not is ok for identifying structure but I want something that is going to be able to identify fish and especially bait fish. As far as price goes I'm thinking under 1k... Thanks in advance for any input.

10-12-2007, 08:15 PM	#2
ReelCrazySportfishing User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West Haven Posts: 1,933	I have the humminbird 997 side scan. I cant say enough good things about it. If there is a fish somewhere around the boat ,this unit will find it. Mine is the big one and cost me $2300. the have a smaller unit that is $1000 it is worth every penny. __________________ www.ReelCrazySportfishing.com Connecticut Charter Fishing www.fishermansparadisect.com

10-12-2007, 09:01 PM	#3
ARCTEKJim User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: VOODOO GRILLE MYSTIC Posts: 2,805	wow....pat very nice __________________ custom built t tops/towers/hardtops etc www.arctekmarine.com CLINTON, CT

10-12-2007, 09:06 PM	#4
ReelCrazySportfishing User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West Haven Posts: 1,933	Thanks Jim The unit is awsome. It picks up everything. Even anchor line of a boat next to me. Finding bunker with it is very easy. The side scan will pick up the smallest pod. While drifting for bass, it makes it very easy and quick to pick up where the bass are on a reef. once you find them. there is a cursor you can move over and mark the spot, so the next drift you can put the boat right over it. it scans out to the sides 240 feet while still having a lock on the bottom under the boat. __________________ www.ReelCrazySportfishing.com Connecticut Charter Fishing www.fishermansparadisect.com

10-13-2007, 06:07 AM	#7
JayR NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bikini Bottom Posts: 836	You suck Pat! I'm still drooling over that unit and I a kicking myself for not already making the purchase. It would have paid for itself finding fish during the MA commercial season. One good catch and it have been paid it full. Kick me.... Next spring I guess and hopefully they will have upgraded it to work with the NMEA 2000 protocol. I need radar too When does the spending end? __________________ I really don't care what you have to say about me, just as long as you mention my name

10-13-2007, 11:09 AM	#8
striper1 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 97	I was with-in "opening the wallet" away from buying that unit but was afraid to drop the cash. It was said to be an excellent unit but have heard the connections and unit is geared more towards fresh water use and does not have the sealing properties to with stand the harsh salt water environment for more than a couple years. The use coupled with the commericial license makes it a consumable item and reliabilty is no longer a concern. Love to hear the reliabilty in a couple years as I know you certainly get it in the water frequently REELCRAZY. __________________ Feed'em Steel! 26' Striper Alaskan

10-14-2007, 09:05 PM	#10
JLH NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: May 2007 Location: Live in CT but fish mainly in RI Posts: 11	Thanks a bunch. I had been thinking of one of those units - the fact that you find it so useful it definitely a plus for that one!!

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