I am looking at new electronics for my boat for this year. I really would like one for the dash that has some waypoint abilities. So far the eagle fishelite 480 looks pretty good for the money.

Has anyone used this finder?

Is there a better alternative that I am not seeing in the same price range?

If I get this for the dash, can anyone recommend what I should run in the front?

What you get depends on 2 things:  how you plan to use the stuff and how deep your pockets are.

The unit itself will do most of what you want.  However if you want to be able to mark waypoints from both positions in the boat and have them recorded on both units then you will have to be able to network them.  It is my understanding that Eagles won't network.  You would have to move to Lowrance for networking.

Just something to think about.

I have an Eagls 480 GPS on the front of my boat. I does a good job for me. However, after having it for several years now I wish I would have spent the $75.00 more and got a 500c. I dont know what the cost differance is now.

Thanks for the replies. I am not too worried about being able to do waypoints from the bow at this time. I figure I can always walk back real quick and mark it on the dash. I only have around $500 to spend, so that unit would leave me with about 150-200 to spend on one for the bow. Is there anything worthwhile at that price?

I would say save that $150-$200 till you get more for a better unit. you buy a cheep one you will regret it. I have on suggestion. most people do not do this, but I did and I have my reason for it. Why don't you put the better unit at the bow? That is the one you will be using the most. On all three of my boats I have (or had, cause I have two of the same units now) the better unit up front and would rather have it that way. just my 2cents.

Thanks for the suggestion. I do have the Piranha off of my old boat that I could use while I saved for a better model. Would it be strange to use the same type of fish finder on the bow and dash? for instance having two of those 480's?

If you have $500 to spend you should be able to get a Lowrance 522 or 520c on close out some place.  They are being replaced by the HD units.  They are very good and networkable.  

You really need to get a networkable unit if you are serious about fishig places off the bank and it is not always convenient to get up and go to the back to mark a wpt.  It also is nearly impossible to drive onto a wpt get up go to the front and still be on it.