I hope this is the right location to put this question, but ive never owned one and am looking into getting one this off season, im sick of not being able to know whats the structure like in deep water, anyhow what are the good brands for depthfinders, that have good graphs and priced reasonable well, id like to spend about 150 but if i have to spend more i will, just something good it doesnt have to be top of the line, thanks alot for any help

For 150.00 you can get a eagle 320,a eagle 250 for 129.00,a lowrance

x86ds for 150.00 which looks like the eagle 250 but black.Smaller units

like a cuda by eagle or a lowrance x52 same thing but black.Hummingbird 525

for 129.00,535 for 149.00,or cheaper still a pirahna series under 100.00.garmin

makes several under 150.00 too,also look at cabelas and bass pro's

bargain section for closeout models.One question while on this

subject , lowrance and eagle are the same company owned by lei but i have

been told by several people the lowrance brands have better electronics

in there units than the eagle brand and of course the colors are different,

is this true?

For most, fishing season will soon be coming to an end, if this is the case for you, you might want to wait just a little while longer. Cabela's and BPS will be having some great sales on their stock of this years models when the new models come out.

I personnaly prefer Lowrance, but like with any brand item, the only brand one person would have, another person wouldn't have it if you gave it to him so don't get hung up on brands. The higher the resolution, the better, color units are easier to read but not necessary, the output power helps give better resolution and seperation (stronger output produces stronger echo/return), especially when you start getting in 30' or deeper water but don't get hung up on thinking you need 1000's of watts, unless you get a color unit and plan to fish deep. Dual freqeuncy units work better when your getting into 50' deep water.

Lowrance has some good info on their website that you should read also. Hummingbird and others may also. Study up on them, so you can make an educated assumption of what you want and buy them when they are on year end closeout sales.  Buy the one that gives you the most bang for your buck. You don't get the latest and greatest but get very good equipment at reasonable prices. Buy a $150 unit during season, you get a $150 unit, pay $150's for a close out unit and you may get a $275 unit.