depth finder/locater

[2thepointsetters]

I am going to buy a new locater this spring in the $300 to $500 range. It will be used for walleye on Vermillion and trout on Lake Superior. Is there a certain brand/model in this price range that is better than the rest?

[Down Deep]

Last April I bought a new Lowrance 515C. Thus far it has met all my expectations for locating fish, color definition, and being viewable in bright sunlight. It has all the other standard features that you will find on most sonars. I also fish Vermillion frequently. It is priced in the low $500 range.

[PerchJerker]

I assume you're looking for sonar only, not a combo unit with gps? I'm a big fan of Lowrance, the 500 series as Down Deep mentioned. A less expensive way to go is with the Eagle color units, you get most of the features and performance of Lowrance for less money.

[2thepointsetters]

Is there decent GPS locaters avliable in that price range?

[PerchJerker]

Eagle might have a combo unit around the top of that range, to get into a combo unit in Lowrance you're talking $600+

[davesfriend]

I wouldn't say that. I got the lowrance 525c DF for under 500. Then another 100 or so for the hot maps chip. I have awsome structure maps for almost all lakes around. Dual freq so it will go very deep and wide. The GPS on this unit is awsome. Maybe next time I will go with the internal antenea but so far other than my lackluster wire-ing job on it, it has not let me down.

[EricD]

Does anyone have any thoughts on color vs. grayscale? I've been looking as well and it's a tossup between the Lowrance 515C and the X125. Big difference in price, though.

[Chode2235]

Color by far is the way to go. I purchased my first color graph this past year, and I love it. It is much easier to see fish hanging out on the bottom, or rocks and other things, changes in bottom composition.

You often hear people say, "I only need a fishfinder to show me the structure and depth" which I guess is true, but it tells me they have never used a good fishfinder. You should be able to use your fishfinder to help you fish fish. A good one is such an valuable tool for helping you put fish in the boat.

But Color all the way.

[Sandmannd]

I don't have color, but my next on will be. If you have the money get a color one. If you don't go greyscale. Grey is better than nothing. Get what you can afford.

[JimBuck]

Under 500!? If you don't mind me asking where did you find such a bargain? I can't find anything under 6 in that unit. I'd appreciate it as I'm trying to purchase some new electronics for the season.

Cheers.

[EricD]

 Originally Posted By: Sandmannd

I don't have color, but my next on will be. If you have the money get a color one. If you don't go greyscale. Grey is better than nothing. Get what you can afford.

It's going on a new boat so I'll roll it into the loan. It won't make a big dent to add color but I've heard several people say they thought grayscale was actually better.

[davesfriend]

I can't remember when egzactly, fall sometime at Cabelas. They had all the boat stuff marked down. The best boat deals are at the end of the season. If I remember correct with tax it was slightly over 500, but not by much. Awsome locator and GPS. I am excited to get back on my trails. I could not use it in the winter, so I had to guess where to fish. I don't think they make a soft peck and ducer for this, I may be wrong.

[PerchJerker]

Don't take this the wrong way davesfriend, but I'm questioning your memory about the price you paid Maybe it was with one of their promotions where you spend over $500 and save $100 or $150, or something like that???? Or did you get gps only or sonar only, not a combo unit????

Regarding the other question, I would definately go color if there's any way you can swing it. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't go color.