BajaNomad

Fishfinders ?

bajaponderosa - 4-16-2013 at 07:16 PM

I need some Help.
I want to purchase a new fish finder for my boat.
What I need is info on the best color fish finder I can use
On the Sea of Cortez. I have had Furuno's, Humminbirds and neither one works well in the salt water. So any info would be
great.

chuckie - 4-16-2013 at 07:27 PM

Keep it simple...and why do you need color? You are looking for fish and structure, not watching HD TV....

Hook - 4-16-2013 at 09:24 PM

Never heard of a Furuno that didnt work well in salt water, unless it was a problem with the transducer install or the transducer itself (not made by Furuno).

Maybe you should tell us how much you have to spend first..............

Norm - 4-17-2013 at 06:34 AM

SIMRAD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`:light:

bajaponderosa - 4-17-2013 at 06:53 AM

My husband wants color. Furuno was new in the box and he just doesn't like the screen being black and white.
Color is all he talks about.
I can find a Lowrance Elite 4x color for 169.00 but not familar with that brand and the reviews I have read aren't good for big waters. ?

Pescador - 4-17-2013 at 07:06 AM

I have the Furuno FCV-620 Color Echo Sounder and consider it the best for a small to medium sized boat. Color is very important for finding bait and knowing what type of bait you are locating. This unit works very well in deeper water (finding Baqueta in 650+ feet plus).
To me, bait is critical and either makes or breaks your day and this unit will pinpoint where the bait is holding and it is easy to tell the difference between sardines and Mackerel, and even shows the difference, once you know how to read it, of spanish and green mackerel.

In addition to bait, it is pretty easy to tell what is hanging on the bottom and whether it is something worth targeting or just schools of baitfish swarming. Dual transducer of 50/200 is also very important because both give different signals which provide a lot of very important information. The wattage is strong enough to give good signals up to around 1,000 ft.

If you were considering a multi purpose unit with GPS plotter, Side scan, and the whole kit and kaboodle, then you might want to consider the new HDS units from Lowrance. While the sonar on Lowrance is not quite up to the same level as Furuno, the added information you can work with on the Lowrance unit would make up for it. In addition, Furuno chartplotters do not accept navionics mapping software which is the most accurate program available for the Sea of Cortez.

Hope that helps.

chuckie - 4-17-2013 at 08:00 AM

There are many fisherman with electronics that they dont even know how to use..too many features, which is why I said keep it simple....

beachbum1A - 4-17-2013 at 10:24 AM

A suggestion; you read up on depth sounders and then make a list of the features that you want/need on the one you purchase. Then you look at how much $$$ you're willing to spend. Then you can start matching up the models, etc to see what options are open to you.
IE: in fishing salt water you will need a unit that has dual frequencies, as you'll need the 50 kHz frequency to reach some of the deeper depths that you'll be fishing in in salt water.

Alan - 4-17-2013 at 12:09 PM

Pescador has taken the words right out of my mouth

AND

bajaguy - 4-17-2013 at 12:21 PM

Get some charts of the area(s) you will be fishing and get a GPS and learn how to use both the charts and the GPS. Not only will it make your fishing trips more enjoyable and profitable, it may also save your life................

willardguy - 4-17-2013 at 04:00 PM

don't scrimp here, I think a fine entry level sonar would be the FCV 620. this will nicely compliment the reel CNC machined out of a solid billet of gold with a dozen ceramic ball bearings, jerry brown hollow spectra with a fluorocarbon topshot and a surgically sharpened designer hook perched atop a mugen shiipou ishidai rod. after all your quarry IS a ten pound fish! or.... level the playing field. ;)

chuckie - 4-17-2013 at 04:51 PM

Well spoke WG....I think oftimes its more about how much they cost than how they functions (mine cost more than yours). I have used for years a Humbird 170, Black and white, costs on ebay 170 bucks or so...VERY accurate to 300 feet, very simple, dont do much except what its supposed to do..I buy 2 at at a time, if I damage one, I throw it away and put a new one on...I have neverhad one fail...busted a couple through carelessness...I use a seperate GPS, non mapper..Most of the time I can see where I want to go....I watch guys inputting Sta Inez Island when they leave the river in Mulege..all ya gotta do is look north...But its the Gringo way...over whelm it with technology...But some folks have too much money...

BajaBruno - 4-17-2013 at 07:33 PM

I have a Furuno FCV 620 also, on Alan's recommendation some years ago. I wish I could interpret it as well as Pescador and Alan, because it is a lot like my gun, which shoots a lot better than I can shoot it.

Pacifico - 4-18-2013 at 04:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
If you were considering a multi purpose unit with GPS plotter, Side scan, and the whole kit and kaboodle, then you might want to consider the new HDS units from Lowrance. While the sonar on Lowrance is not quite up to the same level as Furuno, the added information you can work with on the Lowrance unit would make up for it. In addition, Furuno chartplotters do not accept navionics mapping software which is the most accurate program available for the Sea of Cortez.


This is good to hear about Navionics... I've been wondering who makes the most accurate mapping software for the Sea of Cortez. I was looking at Garmin and CHIRP technology; waiting for the 741xs to come out. In the end, I think I'm gonna go with Lowrance HDS-8 with Structure Scan. Then I can get Navionics maps.

Udo - 4-18-2013 at 04:39 PM

I'll go along with Pescador on the Lowrance, brand.
Since our last trip to BA, I installed a LOWRANCE HDS-5 V.2.0 (found it on craigslist for $350.00) It runs all day in my kayak. The battery is in a Pelican box.
The unit seems to hardly use any power.
Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
I have the Furuno FCV-620 Color Echo Sounder and consider it the best for a small to medium sized boat. Color is very important for finding bait and knowing what type of bait you are locating. This unit works very well in deeper water (finding Baqueta in 650+ feet plus).
To me, bait is critical and either makes or breaks your day and this unit will pinpoint where the bait is holding and it is easy to tell the difference between sardines and Mackerel, and even shows the difference, once you know how to read it, of spanish and green mackerel.

In addition to bait, it is pretty easy to tell what is hanging on the bottom and whether it is something worth targeting or just schools of baitfish swarming. Dual transducer of 50/200 is also very important because both give different signals which provide a lot of very important information. The wattage is strong enough to give good signals up to around 1,000 ft.

If you were considering a multi purpose unit with GPS plotter, Side scan, and the whole kit and kaboodle, then you might want to consider the new HDS units from Lowrance. While the sonar on Lowrance is not quite up to the same level as Furuno, the added information you can work with on the Lowrance unit would make up for it. In addition, Furuno chartplotters do not accept navionics mapping software which is the most accurate program available for the Sea of Cortez.

Hope that helps.

desertcpl - 4-18-2013 at 04:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
There are many fisherman with electronics that they dont even know how to use..too many features, which is why I said keep it simple....



is this how you want to keep it simple

fishinghole.jpg - 42kB

Alan - 4-18-2013 at 06:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pacifico

This is good to hear about Navionics... I've been wondering who makes the most accurate mapping software for the Sea of Cortez. I was looking at Garmin and CHIRP technology; waiting for the 741xs to come out. In the end, I think I'm gonna go with Lowrance HDS-8 with Structure Scan. Then I can get Navionics maps.

I got a new (to me) Parker last year and I need to update the Chartplotter and have been looking at the HDS 8. If you go that way I'd love to hear your review of it. Also curious to learn if structure scan can show if a paddy is holding.

yellowklr - 4-18-2013 at 09:00 PM

I love my lowarance with the Navionics chip but also loved the Furuno on my last boat...

Another Lowrance Fan

Pompano - 4-19-2013 at 09:52 AM

I've been using Lowrance sonar, fish finders, etc. since the days of the first Little Green Box back in the Sixties, as shown here The fish are deep water lake trout taken in about 150ft in Hunters Bay on the huge lake of Lac La Ronge, Saskatchewan. Now a collector's item, that box was $160 new and served me well in both fresh & salt for many years and currently is retired in my library. Great product.

Lowrance Little Green Box



Same Green Box at Playa Requeson in 1975.






Here's one I have used for about10 years and has never failed me. Lowrance X-104 color sonar/gps/all belts & whistles/etc. It's a bit spendy but worth it for a lifetime of use. A big 10" screen is very important to me, as is it's high resolution for clear images in bright sunlight, ability to read bottom at high speeds, and Lowrance's warranty and repair/return policies...including trade-in values that they actually honor.

It comes with dual transducers...ready for all conditions. Programmable with every chip under the sun. I learn something new every year with this great fishing buddy.




There are MANY great sonar/fish finder manufacturers out there...Garmin, Hummingbird, Raymarine, Lowrance, Furuno, etc. But Lowrance is my personal favorite. Good Luck with your choice.





[Edited on 4-19-2013 by Pompano]

willardguy - 4-19-2013 at 10:03 AM

or build your own flasher from heathkit!:yes:


Pacifico - 4-20-2013 at 03:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
Quote:
Originally posted by Pacifico

This is good to hear about Navionics... I've been wondering who makes the most accurate mapping software for the Sea of Cortez. I was looking at Garmin and CHIRP technology; waiting for the 741xs to come out. In the end, I think I'm gonna go with Lowrance HDS-8 with Structure Scan. Then I can get Navionics maps.

I got a new (to me) Parker last year and I need to update the Chartplotter and have been looking at the HDS 8. If you go that way I'd love to hear your review of it. Also curious to learn if structure scan can show if a paddy is holding.


Alan, I'll let ya know if I go with the HDS-8....

I'm in Arrowhead, we'll have to have a beer sometime!

chuckie - 4-20-2013 at 05:36 PM

Usually you can just drive by and peek...

Alan - 4-20-2013 at 09:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pacifico
Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
Quote:
Originally posted by Pacifico

This is good to hear about Navionics... I've been wondering who makes the most accurate mapping software for the Sea of Cortez. I was looking at Garmin and CHIRP technology; waiting for the 741xs to come out. In the end, I think I'm gonna go with Lowrance HDS-8 with Structure Scan. Then I can get Navionics maps.

I got a new (to me) Parker last year and I need to update the Chartplotter and have been looking at the HDS 8. If you go that way I'd love to hear your review of it. Also curious to learn if structure scan can show if a paddy is holding.


Alan, I'll let ya know if I go with the HDS-8....

I'm in Arrowhead, we'll have to have a beer sometime!
You're in Arrowhead? Cool but I'm still in La Paz for a couple more weeks. I'll U2U when I get home. Hopefully we'll get a chance to tip a brew and maybe even bend a rod.