I have a low end Lowrance. I think it does pretty well. Although I have seen some pretty nice ones with a lot of funtions. I wonder how much of a learning curv there is for each unit and are they really worth all the fuss. Any opions please feel free to respond

Later Will

If you are fishing water most of the time that is deep and has good structure then I think the best possible depth finder you can afford should be used. Here in Florida where most of the fish are in grass mats and flipping and pitching is what is used a depth finder isn't even a big deal. But deeper lakes with humps, river channels, underwater bridges, etc it is crucial.

The unit I have is a Lowrance LCX15MT and I really like it. They are reasonably priced now too.

My opinion skimp on some things but not your electronics.

Peace.

There's a world of difference in the low end, low pixel count models vs. the higher end units, high pixel count models.  The quality of the image for starters is vastly better on the more expensive ones.  I recently spend a day fishing with a forum member that had a low end unit on his dash.  I was surprised at how poorly it did resolving even standard bottom features.   In reality though, both low and high end units basically work the same but the higher end units normally have some bells and whistles on them the low end units don't.  Some are useful and some are just there for flash.  As for their usage, take the owners manual out on the lake with you and mess around with the thing.  Go through all the functions till you're comfortable with it.  Like I said, many of those features on the high end units you'll never use and some you will.  

Thanks for the input guys. I noticed a one finder I was looking in to it had a way point feature. The guy at the store said he can mark a spot and fish out off a make making a trail and the depth find would track it or maybe the bemds in creeks that sort I really like the sound of this feature does anyone have this on there finder and do you use it at all

Thanks Will

The unit he was showing you had GPS capability. It can be a nice feature, especially in the dark or if you're trying to get somewhere in the fog.  Also, finding offshore deepwater structure is made a whole bunch easier. I accomplish the same thing with a handheld GPS.

How about telling us aliitle about the water you fish > Depths, lakes, res. saltwater , fresh > some kind of clue!