Which Sounder To Buy

[Dave]

I am looking at buying a new sounder. The one I currently use is a Lowrance X65. It works to a depth of about 30-40 meters but after that is starts having trouble reading the bottom. When fishing in 60m it just wont even pick up the bottom. Can anyone suggest a sounder that is going to do the job. I have a hand held gps so only need to get a sounder. Any help appreciated.
Dave.

[tengals123]

how much do you want to spend? I just got a 107CDF, great unit.

cheers

[whiteman]

Upgrade to the x125/x135 and pocket the change. Colour is great but you pay 40-50% premium and it won't catch a lot more fish, if any.

[Dave]

Thanks for your replies. Just looking for something that is going to work ok in this sort of depth. How do you find these units go in this depth. Havent got a huge budget just want something that will do the job.
Thanks Dave

[Bashir]

Upgrade to the x125/x135 and pocket the change. Colour is great but you pay 40-50% premium and it won't catch a lot more fish, if any.
Big call and I can't say I agree in some situations.

[matthill80]

the fella at bias told me the lowrance colour is all pretty pictures but not real effective. goa a raymarine or furuno


cheers matt

[Dave]

Bashir,
You say colour is better in some situations? Do you mean viewing the screen or other reasons.
Matt,
I have heard differing reports on the Lowrance thats why I thought i'd do this post. Do you use either of the 2 you suggested?
Tengals,
Have you used your sounder in this depth. All i get from mine is a blank screen with a couple of dots to represent bottom.

[tengals123]

most people will tell you in that price range, with the highest pixels the 107 and the D/F wins hands down. I have not used mine yet, but have seen one in action in 40-70mt of water for a few hours with great results.

cheers

[bazzaman]

id go the little more and stretch the budget or save some more money as then you wont have to upgrade later down the track. This saving you money in the long term not the short tho and youll be so much happier with the unit. Id go something like a raymarine aswell. Cheaper than Furuno!

Shane

[bazzaman]

You have a damn good boat why would you settle for second best on sounder!

[banshee]

I have to agree with Bazzaman,so many people spend heaps on the boat to get them to where the fish are but scrimp on the one thing that is more important than all the other equipment for producing results,better to scrimp on the boat and splurge on the sounder in my opinion,I don't know much about Raymarine stuff(Mackmauler seems to do alright with it though) but I doubt you could go wrong with a Furuno,JRC or Koden colour unit.

[kevy]

hi dave. have to agree with banshee. i use a koden 103 & can,t fault it. they have been updated since. i,ve fished with mates that have jrc,s & furunos & all great. ( colour of course) best of luck, kevy. :D :D

[Wyoming]

All you blokes with various experiences with various sounders. Whoa!

Does anyone have an opinion on the Navman gear - particularly the colour sounders??

[bazzaman]

no but i have a garmin 172c chart plotter and its sensational....wouldnt live without it now!!!

[Sportfish_5]

Time will tell with the Lowrance 107DFs (I just bought one too). The other sounder I was looking at was the Ray DSX600 but when you stack them up the Lowrance looks a better buy in both specification and price and thats why I went that way but as I said time will tell if that is correct in the field so to speak.

I am putting the new sounder and 172CE plotter in tomorrow and will see how it performs. If it is a dog of a sounder in the water I will have no hesitiations to call it as I see it. No probs with the Garmin :-* that new east coast cartrige map is awesome ;D

If anyone is looking for a good deal on a 4y/o Garmin 126 GPS and Lowrance X85, pm me before I take them to the tender centre.

Cheers

Greg

[Dave]

Thanks all.
Sportfish i would be very keen to hear how your new unit performs. Where did you get it from?