I am new, and been reading the forems. I hope I am not out of line by asking questions not bass pro related. I am a hobby fisherman  69 years old, with adverage tackle and equiptment, not a $200 rod, who would like some advice as to a portable fish finder. I don't plan on being a bas pro.  I have a 14 ft, and a 18 ft as well as a zodac. The ones I have looked at are all humminbirds. The models are, 343c-345c-565-570. Is a weaker color with a 3.5 in. screen better then a stronger b/w with a 5 in screen? Does anyone have any sugestions as to a portable unit. I fish the St. Laurence, where there is water up to 300 ft deep.

I think fishfinders really aren't worth it unless you have the side imaging sonar.  I would invest my money into something else or just save it.  That's just me though.

The Humminbird 110 "fishing buddy" is a nice portable fishfinder for around $100.  It runs on 6 AA'a and they last a long time.  It attaches to your boat with a clamp and the transducer is at the end of a shaft connected to the unit.  This is nice because you don't have to drill to get your transducer on the boat and then run wires.  Did the trick for me with my 12ft.

Sorry, missed your last line about the St Laurence and the 300ft depth, the unit I mentioned doesn't get to that depth......if you'll even be fishing in waters deeper than 100ft!  I think a fishfinder is a good investment.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe the Humminbird 800 series are true portable sounders.

They incorporate a quick-disconnect' mount but use a permanent transducer, if that's what you want.

On the other hand, the 300 series are true portable sounders with a suction-cup transducer.

I would definitely go with the 5 screen (diagonal measurement), and the choice between

16-level grayscale and color is purely personal. One has greater resolution, the other has color.

All that said, my favorite portable sounder is an Eagle FishMark 320 (5" display - 320x320 pixels),

which I use on rental boats when I vacation in Canada (It'll sound 1000 ft deep).

Roger

I could be wrong, but I don't believe the Humminbird 800 series are true portable sounders.

They incorporate a quick-disconnect' mount but use a permanent transducer, if that's what you want.

On the other hand, the 300 series are true portable sounders with a suction-cup transducer.

I would definitely go with the 5 screen (diagonal measurement), and the choice between

16-level grayscale and color is purely personal. One has greater resolution, the other has color.

All that said, my favorite portable sounder is an Eagle FishMark 320 (5" display - 320x320 pixels),

which I use on rental boats when I vacation in Canada (It'll sound 1000 ft deep).

Roger

You can make any tranducer portable by purchasing a suction cup mount.

The 565/570's resolution should be enough to sell you on the unit.

And IBTM...

I think fishfinders really aren't worth it unless you have the side imaging sonar..

Really? Your serious?

I think fishfinders really aren't worth it unless you have the side imaging sonar..

Really? Your serious?

Yes, the need to know the depth or what kind of structure you may be on top of is of no importance whatsoever... :   

I could be wrong, but I don't believe the Humminbird 800 series are true portable sounders.

They incorporate a quick-disconnect' mount but use a permanent transducer, if that's what you want.

On the other hand, the 300 series are true portable sounders with a suction-cup transducer.

I would definitely go with the 5 screen (diagonal measurement), and the choice between

16-level grayscale and color is purely personal. One has greater resolution, the other has color.

All that said, my favorite portable sounder is an Eagle FishMark 320 (5" display - 320x320 pixels),

which I use on rental boats when I vacation in Canada (It'll sound 1000 ft deep).

Roger

You can make any tranducer portable by purchasing a suction cup mount.

The 565/570's resolution should be enough to sell you on the unit.

And IBTM...

These clamp on deals work too.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat21402&rid=&indexId=cat21402&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat21402&id=0000844

I agree with burley, the higher resolution screens of the 565 and 570 are a plus. The 570 is a replacement of the discontinued 565.. A wider screen is a waste if they are not multi-function units such as GPS and Side Imaging. After the first column of vertical pixels, it's just history displayed.

Have I got it right, The 570 would be the updete of the 565? The 565 cost more then the 570, which confuses me.  If one of these two would be the one to bye, then that was simple. I awate your advive, and thanks for the help. The St Laurence is full of sholes and creaters, and that is what I want to find to fish. The eyes are deep, and also musky, along with the bass.

Have I got it right, The 570 would be the updete of the 565? The 565 cost more then the 570, which confuses me. If one of these two would be the one to bye, then that was simple. I awate your advive, and thanks for the help. The St Laurence is full of sholes and creaters, and that is what I want to find to fish. The eyes are deep, and also musky, along with the bass.

The 565 and 570 should be the same price ($199).  Comparing the two, I see no difference other than the model number.

Thanks, The cheapest I have found the 570 is $233+ 13.95 shipping.  Where can I get it for $199?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10205384_250003000_250000000_250003000_250-3-0

Or are you buying special portable unit?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10205384_250003000_250000000_250003000_250-3-0

Or are you buying special portable unit?

Burley is right, the portables are more expensive.

I've got the portable 565 and have nothing but good things to say about it.  It is (was) more expensive than the regular version due to a battery and mount/case.  I found mine used on the bay for ~$100 sans battery, but otherwise in pristine condition.  You can pick up the battery from Humminbird themselves, but I found it cheaper on amazon.  Shop around and Google is your friend.

Thanks a lot for your help. I just ordered the 570 portable.