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What To Look For
When you shop for a fish finder, there are five key areas to consider and some features you should get.
The transducer frequency must be properly matched to the areas you'll be fishing. In water with a depth of 300 feet or less, you'll get the best underwater readout with a frequency of 200 kHz and a beam width of about 20 degrees. When depths exceed 300 feet, you're better off with a frequency of 50 kHz and a beam angle of eight degrees.
The level of detail and readability of the screen is determined by the display's resolution and type. In a resolution of 640 by 480 pixels, the vertical pixel count of 480 is the most important number. The higher this is, the more detailed your readout will be. Color displays are always easier to read in direct sunlight, than black and white ones.
Screen size ranges from four to over seven inches. You'll pay more for bigger screens, but clarity is better.
The RMS power rating is important if you're fishing deep waters of over 200 feet or you want a detailed display of the bottom. Look for at least 500 watts RMS in these situations. A general rule of thumb is, the more power, the better.
Good depth penetration of the sonar beam, can improve your ability to find the lunkers. Power and transducer quality make the difference here. Since a unit's depth rating is based on ideal water conditions, you won't get the same results in murky water.
A rotary gain control, bottom lock, A-scope and zoom functions are the best fish finder features. They make it easier to read the screen.
Common Pitfalls
Fish finders can be complex. Since most owner problems are caused by incorrect operation, you should read the manual before using them. If you lose the manual, download it from manufacturer's site.
Where To Buy
In most cases, you'll find the best deal online. Amazon and eBay are popular sites where almost everything can be found at the lowest price.
A good Internet shopping strategy is to use the search engine at Eopinion.com to look up a product that interests you. You'll be rewarded with user reviews and links to the lowest prices. This approach will save you time and money.
Before pulling out your credit card, check the seller's reputation, make sure the site's secure and read the fine print.
It never hurts to check pricing and availability at your local merchants. They might have what you want at a great sale price.
Cost
Humminbird has the best-selling fish finders and the 565 is a favorite of anglers everywhere. It's priced in 2009 from $150 to $300.
The Humminbird Fishin' Buddy 120 delivers the best overall bang for the buck and it's priced from $150 to $222.
The Norcross Hawkeye FF3355P is the most popular portable unit and it's priced from $49 to $80.
The Interphase Twinscope Black B/T U2-Twin-SCPC is one of the top high-end fish finders, with its forward, side and down sonars that cover every angle. It's priced from $1,786 to $2,009.
