Sounders aren't easy anymore are they.

[billp]

Have been reading through countless topics over various sites in the last few days, and can't believe the choices you need to consider when choosing a sounder now a days.

Far enough most of us average joe bloes won't be able to afford 80% of it, but there is still so much to consider.

I think I have narrowed down my next sounder when I upgrade my Lowrance 4x, to something with "chrip" technology with a chartplotter.

Anyone else out there a bit bewildered by the amount of choices you need to make for something so simple?

[PlasticFantastic]

Yeah they're complex things these days with all the bells and whistles but personally I don't have one in the yak and for most of my fishing I'm casting at structure as opposed to dropping a line down into it plus it is frustrating seeing all the fish on the screen and not being given able to catch them.

Cheers

Mark

[batman]

Agreed

I am researching the hell out of everything at the moment and I have to say it is pretty daunting.

Then there is the challenge of actually learning to use the thing and adjust the setting to suit.

The difference in price between down scan and side scan is massive.

Then it depends on where and how you fish. Thet are invaluable in the bay and open water but in tight creeks you can get away with sighting the structure.

at the end of the day its an aid not a garuntee to catching fish.

[youngy]

Bill don't make it harder than it is, if you go though a few easy questions you can soon narrow it down to a couple of choices , this is the time to go have a play with them in a shop and ask a few more questions about which one suits you best.

Questions are - colour or black and white.

- Combo or sonar.

- Do you need downscan.

- do you need side scan.

Each one of these lends it's self to different types of fishing, just have to match it to the style of fishing you do and of coarse your budget, cheers wayne

[nabs]

youngy is on the money!

Best thing is to go have a play with one. Even better if you know someone who has one and you can go out on the water and see how it actually works.

Lowrance HDS Touch and you will never look back

[youngy]

Agree Nabs, the HDS range is the best you will get but if you only want downscan not sidescan you can't go past the HDI Elite 7 for under a $1,000 with an Australia Navionics gold card

[Dinodadog]

Also depends if you are a fisher or a fiddler, some fisherpeople get carried away with thier sounders and forget to fish. Mine is set and left alone for freshwater fishing and it hasnt affected my catch rate. Out in the deep blue things may be different.

Dino

[youngy]

Yes Dino, one of the most important things is learning how to understand what your unit is telling once you decide the one you want.

I am the same and rarely touch my sounder but i have to admit lately i would like downscan sometimes to confirm what i am seeing, cheers wayne

[Dinodadog]

Bit the same Youngy all those around me have downscan and sidescan, would be great to see where you are fishing, been thinking about it for awhile. Mind you I dont see them catching anymore fish ha ha.

Dino

[billp]

All good points. At the end of the day it's all about money really isn't it. Would never spend over $200 on the yak sounder, but if I get myself a boat next year, will seriously look at Raymarines and the HDS or HDI Lowrances.

[youngy]

For $200 there is only one choice Bill, a Garmin 300c Echo.

Fantastic unit and as clear an image as a $1,000 Sounder, cheers wayne

[Plugbar]

Just another vote for the Lowrance touch range,they are a fantastic unit and easy to use.