i would like to get a portable fishfinder on my jonboat. and i was thinking of the hummin bird fishin buddy. is this any good, or is there a better one out there?

I was real close to getting the Fishin Buddy. I didn't want to drill into my boat to install the fishfinder and to mount the transducer. I decided to get the Humminbird PiranhaMax 220 and go ahead with mounting the fishfinder by drilling into the boat anyway. For the transducer I mount mine on the trolling motor. Very easy and effective way to use it without drilling into the boat to mount the transducer.  With all that being said I spent less then the Fishin Buddy costs and I think I got better performance as well.

I bought an Eagle FishMark 320 portable and it has served me well.  It uses a portable battery pack and suction cup transducer.  No drilling required

http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Products/Fishfinders/FishMark-320-Portable/

Here's another good option.

http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Products/Fishfinders/CUDA-168-Portable/

I've been using mine for several days, about three hours per day, and it's still operating on the same 8 AA batteries. I carry 8 fresh batteries in a watertight rubbermaid container, just in case.

Batteries have a way of dying just when you really need them.

I've easily used it 12 - 15 times, maybe more.

The suction cup might not work if your jon boat has a textured finish. You can easily fabricate a bracket which will allow you to swing it up and out of the way. The trolling motor mount is the best way to go.

ok thanks. im going to take a good look at that cuda 168. it looks like a nice one.