Fishfinders

[zen801]

Hi Raiders,

Finally going from low tech to just above low tech.

Putting in a cheapish fishfinder and have found two in my price range.

Just wondering if any fellow raiders have same finders and if so please some feedback.

Or in general terms what brand do you think is better. Both these brands offer similar specs so for me being a novice some help would be appreciated.

Hummingbird Matrix 12 or Navman 4432.

Thanks all Cheers.

[netic]

Out of those two units i would definately get the Humminmbird

Navman sounders are pretty crap...from low end to top end they are no way near as good as other brands in practice......

[Robbielites]

Hi mate,

My advice would be to wait, save some more money and buy a decent one that will serve you well for years

I have had soooo many cheaper sounders in my time and finally have a good one, I am spewing I didn't get a decent one years ago. The differnce is like night and day..

Cheers,

Robbie.

[a boat]

Hi Zenman, if you have narrowed it down to those two unit both have benefits over the other and we sell both. With the Navman units we do not have any more issues with than any other brand we sell and service, but as the guys have said the more money you sepnd on a unit the better it is. Both are the same price of $330 and the Navman gets you dual frequency, more pixels and a faster ping rate while the Humminbird gets you a bigger screen and the abiltity to add GPS is you want that down the track.

Out of these two I would vote for the Navman 4432 myself, but if you could stretch your budget by about $100 you step upto into the new Humminbird 717X sounder which is a very good unit with good pixels, dual frequency, good power and screen size for really not that much more. Also this is compatible with the GPS to allow you to get accurate speed and navigation. This unit is dearer than the other, but much better value in my opinion.

Cheers,

Huey.

[fishyfingers]

Hi Zenman, if you have narrowed it down to those two unit both have benefits over the other and we sell both. With the Navman units we do not have any more issues with than any other brand we sell and service, but as the guys have said the more money you sepnd on a unit the better it is. Both are the same price of $330 and the Navman gets you dual frequency, more pixels and a faster ping rate while the Humminbird gets you a bigger screen and the abiltity to add GPS is you want that down the track.

Out of these two I would vote for the Navman 4432 myself, but if you could stretch your budget by about $100 you step upto into the new Humminbird 717X sounder which is a very good unit with good pixels, dual frequency, good power and screen size for really not that much more. Also this is compatible with the GPS to allow you to get accurate speed and navigation. This unit is dearer than the other, but much better value in my opinion.

Cheers,

Huey.

Huey,

I just had a look at the Humminbird 717X and the 777X .... is it right that the colour one is basically DOUBLE the price for the same specs?!?!?

Edited September 21, 2007 by fishy fingers

[pelican]

Zenman - Possibly have a total rethink on sounders as cheap is not necessarily good and expensive isn't necessarily any better. It all depends on the type of fishing you do and in what water depth and what features you really will be able to take advantage of. A lot of "marketing "' goes in to trying to sell features when what you really want of a sounder is the bottom contour and bottom type be it sand rock etc and obviously the depth particularly if you are jigging or downrigging. Clear fish mid water and baitfish schools in reasonable definition without clutter. Im yet to see a picture as clear as the ones you see in the ''demo" mode they all have.

Secondhand units off a fellow raider upgrading might be an option as well to get a better unit at a cheaper price. A few are probably sitting in the garages gathering dust and won't be that old.

Every brand has duds in their line up as they put a product in to fill a marketing or price gap.

I did the "what can I afford" thing years ago and it is the wrong approach all together. The sounder has to suit your boat and purpose / fishing style. It also has to be simple to use the basic features as some of the fancy menues will give you the craps.

A stick and a decent pair of polarized glasses is better than the really cheap units.

Best advice will come from Huey and other raiders who have a similar boat and do similar fishing.

Ask here on the board

I need a sounder?

I fish weekly / monthly / daily.

Ineed a portable ??

I currently fish Middle Harbour and just outside on glass days?

I have a XX long boat with a XXhp motor?

I want to be able to - see depth , drop offs , or actual fish?

I want to see it in glare as My boat is uncovered?

Water depth of 100m max?

Upgradeable?

Easy to disconnect as boat is left on street?

All I can suggest is pixels pixels pixels and quality tranducer. Pick a model that has the same tranducer used up in the model range.

Personally i can't wait till I can afford something that connects to a laptop size screen as I have trouble seeing the little screens and I can run it as picture in picture and still watch the footy!!!!! I will still be a crap fisherman but at leat I won't have to watch highlights of matches if i go fo a fish.

Beware of all the internet stuff as much is privately imported and in imperial units ( if that bothers you) and warranty may be an issue with delays on getting it serviced. Unless it is an expexnsive unit with significant savings it probably isnt worth the risk and possible hassle for 50-100 bucks saved. Even with international warranty there may still be delays in getting it serviced under warranty dependant on brand.

I've used the Matrix GPS and I like the bigger screen rather than a handheld GPS but by the time you have bought the external aerial you may have well gone and bought a combined unit.

Keep an eye on the various big retailers as well as sometimes they actually have good prices on their runout models or clearance ections.

Check you won't need extension leads for the tranducer etc as they companies all charge a small fortune.

Pel

Edited September 21, 2007 by pelican

[a boat]

Hi Fishy, no there is more than just colour the difference between the 717 and 777. The 777 is an excellent unit with 640 x 480 pixels and more power than the 717 and has a few other little features that you pay for. Yes that unit is over the $1K mark, but is a good thing. The Colour equivelent of the 717 would be the 747CX, which is a good unit, but honetsly if I was prepared to pay the extra for the 747 over the 717 I would go to the top and get the 777CX.

Cheers,

Huey.

[Flightmanager]

Huey ,

Are you talking about sounders , or Boeings line up of aircraft ? 717 , 747 , 777 ?

Ross

[zen801]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your input especially Huey and Pelican.

I am going to rethink what i really need in my sounder and try and base my purchase on that.

A little more research and advice and i think i am close.

Cheers

[The Iceman]

Have you seen anything on the 787 dreamliner yet Ross?