Ok ive located a boat and will be picking it up within the week. Can anyone direct me towards a good budget depth finder. I just want something thats going to show me dropoffs and holes. Maybe structure, i really dont know how much you can see through one. Any one who can enlighten me on the subject I would very much appreciate it.

Lowrance has some down loadable simulators on their web site for some of their models.  They let you see what they are like to use.  It is kinda neat to play with and compare different types.  

Most model of finders should show the bottom conditions, of course for the better the clarity the higher the price.

Make sure whatever you buy has temperature. Be sure to get the transducer you want also, either trolling motor mounted or transom mounted.Dont go with a shoot thru hull transducer, they cant get accurate water temps.Dont get caught up in the Fish ID thing, when you use fish ID you lose about 30% of the detail on the bottom.

I have a humminbird 535 and it is a really good fishfinder for only $160.

For $170 you can get their new MATRIX series which are even better, Make sure that you get one with temp. both of these do have temp readings on them.

get a humminbird legend off ebay for 160.00 buy it now. Has temp, speed and very good detail

Awesome, anyone reccommend any other models?

As for as a cheap unit the Lowarance X41 or x47 (can't remember which number) are really good. They have temp reading, very easy to use and under $100. I have one of them on the front of my boat and really like it.

If you just want depth and temp.. Eagle Cuda 128

about $80.00 just about anywhere..

ZoSo71

i to would also go on the lo side as far as price. i bought a bottom line with sidefinder and thought i would kill them with all my new knowledge,NO. u need temp and depth,look for edges anddropoffs. dont go crazy with the money.

Thanks, im looking at all of them

I have a Hummingbird and it does all of the things you mentioned plus more.there are several that are reasonably priced.Go to the H-bird web page to find out more.

I bought a humminbird legend off ebay and when I use my trolling motor at low speed it goes nuts. I have done everything rerouted the wires, moved finder, seperate batteries, ground wire to t/m shaft etc. emailed humminbird and they said must be trolling motor :

I didn't have that problem with my old finder and they won't do anything about it. my suggestion is to avoid the legend 2005 they are selling on ebay

I have a Eagle FIsh Easy 2 and a Eagle Fishfinder 320. Ive had alot of problems with the 320. I think Lowrance makes Eagle, so I would recommend to try Hummingbird or Garmin.

You can't go wrong with an Eagle and they have all the choices. The Cuda 128 is cheap and works great. Whatever you get, make sure it has water temp.

I'll start my recomendation with the old addage, "you get what you pay for." I am not saying go out and spend $700.00 on a Lowrance X-15, but you may want to consider spending a little more and getting a unit with a higher pixel count. The higher the pixel count, the better picture you will see on the LCD.

I personally would reccomend the Lowrance X-125. I have owned the lower end units by Humminbird, Eagle and Lowrance, and there is no comparison between them and the 125. With the lower end units, it is hard to get a good sight picture on a weed line that is under 10 feet of water. The 125 will let youy see things under the water that others will not show clearly. Sonar is hard enough to read for a beginner without having to dicpher a square block picture when you can read a more readable, detailed picture.

The combination of the power (RMS and peak to peak) of the 125, and the higher pixel count are hard to beat at any price. You can get them with a transom mount with the temp built in. The shoot through hull and t/m mount have a seperate connection for an externel temp read out.

I bought a Humminbird Legend 3005D from ebay a year ago.  Most of the time it works right, but most of the time ain't why I bought it.  The problem with mine is when you power it on, it goes to a depth range of 0-2000ft as default sometimes.  So then you have to manually turn a knob about 500 times to adjust the depth range to something reasonable.  I sent it back to Humminbird during warranty.  They said they couldn't get it to do it for them, it must be fine.

Oh well, you live and you learn.  Next finder for me won't be a Humminbird, I learned that.

Good luck in your search!