Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I want to get a newer fishfinder, anyone got some good ones they really like.
Would like to stay under $300 and show depth & structure

Lots to choose from under 300. I would also add GPS to the want list.

I have the bigger color version of this one.

Since I purchased it's come down in price - Just under $300 and rated well.
If you don't need a GPS it could be the best choice in it's price range
Garmin Echo 551DV
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Echo-551dv ... B00EVIVHJU

Review
http://www.afishfound.com/garmin-echo-551dv-review-2/

I just bought that exact same Garmin. I have it installed but haven't used it yet. I don't need GPS on my lake but I need a speedometer so I bought the add on speed paddle wheel that interfaces to this unit.

$287 including shipping

I actually find the GPS quite useful. Even though I can see shore and landmarks in any direction, I use it to mark hot spots and trolling patterns when on fish. Face it, throwing a marker out when your on fish is like hollering "Sooo-o-o-o-ey!" to anybody that can't find their own fish.

+1 on the gps! wouldn't be without mine.

I agree. I have 2 boats. One has a combo GPS/fishfinder and the pontoon has just the fishfinder.

I was looking at the Humminbird with the GPS. Besides the fact that I wanted color, it has such bad reviews on Amazon that I didn't want to bother with it.

I actually have two fish finders the Garmin Echo 551DV and the Garmin 50s GPS/Fish Finder.
I purchased the Echo 551DV for the DownVü scanning sonar. The Garmin 50s was an upgrade feature when I purchased my pontoon,
that unit is about $420 and does a nice job but doesn't have the DownVu feature I wanted to try.
I got the Echo 551DV near year end so I too haven't really had any time with it yet Together they should provide all the info I should ever need.
If you haven't already got a GPS you may want to get a combo unit if you do a lot of trolling.
I fish with lead core line and mainly troll for trout and bass so knowing my exact speed to the tenth of a mile is important to me.
Having a GPS I get a very accurate speed display, and as mentioned, can mark my Hot Spots.
The Garmin 50s came with all lakes mapping very useful for staying away from hazards.
If not for the trolling I would have just went with the Echo 551DV and a speed wheel or used my
older Garmin C276 GPS which has lake map with high detail and is a nice little portable unit.
If you go with a combo try to go color and review how well you can see the display in sun light.
I've had gray scale units that were very difficult to see lots of times.
I think once you go with a good color unit you will not think ever of purchasing a gray scale unit again.

I have a older garmin 300c, but I don't trust it and it don't show any stucture.
I have a hand held gps & my troll motor has the I-pilot with gps.
I don't need the map stuff.

Hi killerkernrich

I have the I-pilot too and love it.
I use it in conjunction with the gas motor. I turn it on ready and when I have a fish on switch to the I-pilot to hold a true course when playing the fish,
or when I need a real slow trolling speed. No shore power and I don't trailer. Trolling motor run on 24 volts, two group 27 batteries that give me a
work out even when using a cart. Using in conjunction with gas motor gives me 7 to 8 outings instead of 1 or 2 on batteries. Solar panels have come a long way so I plan on looking into for possible recharge.
The more advance I-pilot can communicate with my GPS unit - however had to draw line somewhere so did not opt for that feature.
Do you have a 12 or 24 volt trolling system? How many hours to you get on a charge?

Here's how I installed transducer on I-pilot, worked great. I have a transducer build into the trolling I-pilot but it's not compatible with the Garmin Echo 551dv advanced HD-ID DownVü, just the standard sonar so I did this hookup with the Garmin dual transducer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G54WQVtErZ0

Get the Gps, you don't want to be like two Cheddar Heads that rented a boat. After a couple hours the boat was loaded with fish and they were over their limit on just about every species. Olie pulls out his Sharpie and tells Jim he is going to put an X in the bottom of the boat. Jim says "Don't be stupid, that won't work, they won't rent us the same boat tomorrow."

I have the Lowrance Elite 5 color combo and love it

http://www.basspro.com/Lowrance-Elite5- ... 408201721/

Loyd, did it come with every thing needed to make the install easy & COMPLETE & to go fishing?

Yep

this was in yesterday's ad. Looks promising.

http://www.basspro.com/Hummingbird-Heli ... 409251013/