I don't own a boat but often am on a rental boat or a family members boat. I would love to find a portable depth finder. I have seen the humminbird fishin buddy finders, but I would like something better. I want something with side or down imaging. If anyone has any ideas that would be great.

You can make any unit portable. Just chose your price range.

 

I use a Humminbird 1198c SI Combo.

 

I don't have a picture of it , but I can swap the 1198 for a 798ci SI combo and not have to use the GPS antenna since it is internal.

Inexpensive but feature packed is my goal. I would love suggestions on a depth finder that is in the $250ish price range that has a ton of features. Including side or down imaging. If one exists. I am also interested in the hardware you are using to mount the depth finder to make it portable.

Inexpensive but feature packed is my goal. I would love suggestions on a depth finder that is in the $250ish price range that has a ton of features. Including side or down imaging. If one exists. I am also interested in the hardware you are using to mount the depth finder to make it portable.

One marine electronics dealer just posted on another site the Humminbird 398ci HD SI Combo for $249 and free shipping.

That unit has Dual Beam 2D sonar, Side Imaging, Down Imaging, and internal GPS.

 

What I use for the transducer is an old transom mount trolling motor shaft and bracket. You can use a piece of wood and a C-clamp if you want--I've done that before. Use your imagination.

 

I have a auto plug on the unit power cord, an auto receptacle with wire/battery clips to connect to a battery or a receptacle on the craft that I may be on.

The wooden circle is a project board from Lowes and the attachment to the board is a RAM mount.

 

Check you PM

You can make any unit portable. Just chose your price range.

 

I use a Humminbird 1198c SI Combo.

 

That's almost exactly what I use, an old trolling motor mount/shaft. I just use a Lowrance Mark 4 and it works great on a 2 man. 

I have been looking at the helix 5 and think I have settled on it. I might change my mind after I see some reviews.