Mid level Fish finders

[Soiler]

Hey out there, I'm looking to upgrade to a better finder. hopefully one that does more than just read depth well. Looking for 1 that would accurately read water temp & maybe find 1 that shows the thermocline & mark fish depth ? any suggestions that wont cost me a fortune?

[huntsfurfish]

What price range? Finders from $100.00 to $3500.00. Mid range could be $2000.00

[huntsfurfish]

One of my finders was about 200.00 (718 Humminbird). Black and white will do what you are looking for. Lots out there. Buy HDS 5 gen 2 for about $600.00 has GPS on board and is able to hook to other hds units if you wish to extend your network. Also able to add side imaging later if you wish. Price is right if you look around.

this unit would be low price upper end

[Soiler]

Im looking to spend $500-$700 or so. id really like to be able to see the thermocline

[huntsfurfish]

HDS 5 generation 2 is right in your price range. It is top line of finders from Lowrance. Would be an excellent choice. It will give you depth and will allow you to see thermoclines. And like I said you can add to it another finder and network it with just a cable. Or add side imaging with a 500.00 -$600.00 addition LSS-2 HD.

[EZM]

huntsfurfish will predict my next move (and recomendation) ..... lol

If you are not looking to connect multiple units together ..... here's the best deal on the planet ......Humminbird

http://ca.humminbird.com/products/41...ci_HD_DI_Combo

If you want to ethernet units together ...... go to a 700 series product ...... about $200 more ......

Some of these units also provide built in side and down imaging ....

I will say, however, the Lowrance products are also premium brand products and they should be considered as well.

[huntsfurfish]

Hey the first fishfinder I mentioned was a humminbird

[huntsfurfish]

HDS 5 gen 2 $549.99 after rebate in Bass Pro flyer. Cant beet that. It is networkable out of the box, and less expensive

Regular price is still only $649.99

[madatter]

Since I already had a cheapo Humminbird I went with another....the 798Si Di
Not been out on water with it yet but it seems to have enough gizmos....maybe too many to play with...
At the time Bass Pro had a $100 mail in discount....which I just received in the mail

[cube]

Originally Posted by Soiler

Im looking to spend $500-$700 or so. id really like to be able to see the thermocline

Seeing a thermocline on sonar is very hit and miss. What you are depending on is having phyto and zooplankton sitting on the thermocline in sufficient numbers that you can pick-up, which is not always the case. You would be better off getting yourself a thermometer that you could drop down. I have one on my downrigger but you can buy standalone ones eg. http://www.technocat.com/ClineFinder_Fishing.html
They are probably not really necessary for Alberta though as few of our lakes actually thermally stratify and when they do the thermocline is always about 30 feet +/- 5 feet.

[EZM]

The best way to identify a thermocline that holds fish is to mark the fish that seem to be stacked up at a certain depth ............

Sounds like an obviously clever remark - but the reality fish soup tastes better than thermocline soup.

Most of todays units, however, will transmit a "line" or interference where there is a drastic change in temp/density if you crank up the sensitivity.

[huntsfurfish]

OK, agree again, this is getting to be a habit. I need to go fishing!