Hi guys,

   I just bought my first boat and now I need a good sonar to go with it. I do have a Humminbird fishfinder smartcast(the larger one) and I really like it for what it is but I now want to step up with getting the boat. My boat is really a 2 man foam filled platic pontoon, I think the brand name is Dolphin(?).  This is my first water craft, though I have always had accsess to my dads canoe. I have looked at some entry level graphs and the Humminbird matrix 17 looks good. Just looking for some educated info. Thanks.

Paul

I have the same kind of boat as you.  I posed a similar question last year.  I got sick of the horrible portable I used to have and after many recommendations I opted for the Eagle Fishmark 320.  I have been extremely pleased with it.

Most any that has 240 or more pixels will do you. 320 or 480 would give better seperation and some of those can be bought at cheap prices.  By the time you get where you can understand everything you are seeing, you will probably be ready for a better unit anyway. It's getting about time for them to start running some good deals on clearance models so if you start shopping around and wait about a month, you should be able to pick up a realy nice unit for well under $200, units that normally sell for $300 or more.

Best bang for the buck is an Eagle Cuda on sale it can be bought for around $50. If you want to spend more for something a little nicer then the Eagle Fishmark 320.

It all depends on what you are using it for. If you are just interested in depth and maybe showing some fish in deeper water, the cuda will do just fine. If you are looking for structure, or fish holding tight to the structure or bottom, then you really need to go with at least the eagle 320, better yet the 480. The 480 has great definition, especially in zoom mode. You will find fish you never thought were there. You'd have to pry mine out of cold dead hands before I gave it up.

Rob

I am interested in detail more than depth as the deepest body of water I fish is around 20+- at best. I am looking for fine detail as the smartcast just can't get that fine. You guys have definately pointed me in a good direction. Thanks.

Paul

It's already been said, but i also use the Eagle Fishmark 320.  I love it!

Jason