I'm shopping for a fishfinder to use on my local lake.  The deepest part of the lake is 13 feet but most of it is only around 7 feet.  Can anyone tell me what features will give me the best and widest image in this shallow water? Or a make/model that would work well here.  

Regardless of depth, a dual beam model would be preferable.  Wide beam for scanning for structure, narrow beam for detail like fish and cover.

Thanks JF.  I'm looking at the PiranhaMax 160 wich has a dual beam and is around 85 bucks.  I can get the PiranhaMax 220 for $110 but I don't know if will do much more for me.  

I don't know much about those models.  Just get something, and get to learn all the settings, and how you can use them to read the water.

Take a look at the Garmin 300c. I purchased it last year and it works very well for shallow lakes. You get alot of great features for the price.

Shop around, I found it for $150

NJ Tom.  Thanks for the advice.  Does the Garmin have a similar head connection as the Humminbird or do you need to connect the wires individually each time?

The Garmin 300C has 1 plug in the back of it that locks on to the depth finder, then it splits off to transducer and the battery. its very simple to use and has alot of features you would find on the more expensive ones. It works in depth from 1ft to 900ft. It has dual beam transducer, ultra fast scroll,and has alerts you can set for fish size and water depth. one of the features I really liked is that it comes with a bracket you can mount the transducer right on your trolling motor. No need to drill holes in the boat.

I use a Humminbird 565 it works great for both shallow and deep, it is about $199

Funds are low.  I cheaped-out and got the PiranhaMax 160.  I think it will be suffiecient.  Thanks for all the advice.

I use a Humminbird 565 it works great for both shallow and deep, it is about $199

i just installed a 565 on tm   have not had the chance to use it yet  just wondering the dual beam works out  did you set anything on unit before  putting in water   thanks kb