Most cheap colour sounders are just that; a cheap version of a good thing. I would say either buy a really good version of one of the new Lowrance LCD sounders for a few less dollars, or (the harder option to gain approval for) up the budget a couple of hundred and grab one of the new Lowrance colour units, either the X-102-C or the X-107-CDF. I've got the 107 and it's magic.
Cheers,
NICK.