I'm looking to get a fishfinder/depthfinder. I have fished for bass for years without one, and recently started fishing with a guy that has one. I'm looking to get a user friendly, good quality fishfinder. I have no idea what I'm looking at when I search them. I'm looking to spend Under $300 if possible but if I have to spend a bit more I could stretch it to $400 or possibly $500 if everyone agrees a certain model is top notch. Please advise me on which models are "best buys" Or which models to stay away from. I'm ok with a discontinued model if it's good for the price. Thanks in advance.

I answered you in the general forum

I run a Lowrance X-135 on my boat. This will be my 5th. season with it. Works just fine and is within your price range for a plain, black & white screen sonar. Easy to use to. Plus, they have an online interactive depiction of the exact unit - so you can practice adjusting the sonar on your PC.

If you find the price too steep (around $350.) they sell an X-125 which is half the power output. The power of the X-135 is fine if you're over very deep water - like over 200'. The X-125 will suffice in all other shallower depths.

Here are some screen shots of what you'll be looking at, which I took myself while fishing.

A thick ball of perch & smelt (all pics confirmed with an Aqua-View):

Another ball of bait, perch & smelt mixed:

White & yellow perch on the edge of a drop:

Crappie and smelt mixed vertically in the water column, with some bass on the bottom:

As you can see, with 480 x 480 pixel resolution, you will see all you really need to see within your price range. There are a lot better units out there, featuring color screens with GPS capabilities. It's all about your pocketbook.

I have an X-125 and it's a good unit.  I was thinking it had been discontinued though because Cabelas doesn't sell them anymore and that's where I bought mine.  Took a quick look on the Lowrance website and it's still a current model.  You'll just have to shop somewhere besides Cabelas apparently.

[movedhere] Fishing Tackle [move by] five.bass.limit.

This is Osprey's reply from the thread in General.

If you strictly want a depthfinder with no GPS capabilities, here are a couple of pretty good ones in your price range:

Lowrance Mark 5-x

Humminbird 570

Both units have their strengths.  I think the Lowrance's 480x480 resolution is better than the 640x320 on the 'bird but the Humminbird has a dual beam transducer which is nice  for shallow water. 

Do I really need gps? I fish mostly the same lake and areas of the river. Would there be any real benefit for me to get the gps?

I have a jonboat with a 12v trolling motor, and 1battery in the boat. Will I have to put another battery in my boat to be able to run both for 6-8hrs? Or will 1fully charged battery work. Thanks

If you fish the same areas mostly then the Gps isn't really gonna help ya much.  Its good for marking locations and night fishing and viewing topo maps of strange waters.  I have no idea about the power draw of one of those things.

GET A COLOR UNIT

Do I really need gps? I fish mostly the same lake and areas of the river. Would there be any real benefit for me to get the gps?

I have a jonboat with a 12v trolling motor, and 1battery in the boat. Will I have to put another battery in my boat to be able to run both for 6-8hrs? Or will 1fully charged battery work. Thanks

Regarding the GPS, if you can afford it, it's worth it.  You can waypoint your favorite spots and that helps you save time finding them when you go out. 

As for whether or not you can run both on one battery for 6-8 hours, that depends entirely on how much you have to run the trolling motor.  If you anchor up or it's a calm day, I'm sure you'd have no problem.  I'd get a 2nd battery though because there will definitely be days that 1 won't cut it.

Thanks for all the advise!!!

My buddy has a color unit. What does the color represent vs blk/wht? I'll probably get the gps so I can mark stuff. Although I'm considering getting one of the cheaper models this year and upgrading in a year or two, to a side finder. Thats the main reason I don't want to spend too much this year.

The recently released Lowrance Mark (black and white) and Elite (color) series units have replaced the X125/135s.  I provided the link for the brochure below.  The Elite 5 is sonar/GPS, and the Elite 5X is sonar only.

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/Mark-Elite-Series/Elite-5X/Downloads/

What does the color represent vs blk/wht?

I'm curious about this as well. My wife was asking me what the difference was and the only answer I could give was "It looks cool!" Not the most convincing argument. ;D

What does the color represent vs blk/wht?

I'm curious about this as well. My wife was asking me what the difference was and the only answer I could give was "It looks cool!" Not the most convincing argument. ;D

It makes it easier to determine bottom composition mainly. Although you can do it with a greyscale unit, the differences are more subtle as they are literally 'shades of grey'. Color units change those shades of grey into different colors making the differences easier to see.

edit:  Here's a pretty decent buyer's guide I found with a quick google search:  http://reviews.ebay.com/Fishfinder-Buying-Guide_W0QQugidZ10000000000017128

It explains what I said in a little more detail.  One thing I'd point out though, where the author says game fish show up in red, that's dependent on your brand because on my Lowrance, that's not the case (unless my memory is failing me which is entirely possible...but not likely )

In reference to black/white vs. color, I'd compare depthfinders with TV sets (i.e., yes, we all could still get by with a black and white TV, but is there anyone still watching one?).  Color depthfinders distinguish subtle details (bottom composition, rocks, stumps, brush) much better that black and white.  Lowrance units have numerous color palettes to select from to further enhance detail.  Personally, I like Bottom Color Tracking (palette 13 on HDS units).  This really makes fish stand out from the bottom and associated cover - fish are in shades of red, yellow, and green depending on size and sonar return strength, but all features associated with the bottom are brown.

F.B.L, Osprey's post is incorrect.

The Lowrance HDS 5X has a color screen, the Humminbird 570 has a gray scale screen.

Both units are dual frequency 83/200 khz

The Humminbird 570 has a higher resolution screen with 160 more vertical pixels (640 vs 480).

The Lowrance has a square screen and the Humminbird has a rectangle screen with the height being more than the width.

The Lowrance is upgradeable to Structure Scan, the Humminbird is not upgradeable to Side Imaging.

The Lowrance has GPS, the Humminbird does not and is not GPS capable.

The Humminbird cost $200 and the Lowrance cost $550 plus an extra $600 to add Structure Scan.

F.B.L, Osprey's post is incorrect.

The Lowrance HDS 5X has a color screen, the Humminbird 570 has a gray scale screen.

Both units are dual frequency 83/200 khz

The Humminbird 570 has a higher resolution screen with 160 more vertical pixels (640 vs 480).

The Lowrance has a square screen and the Humminbird has a rectangle screen with the height being more than the width.

The Lowrance is upgradeable to Structure Scan, the Humminbird is not upgradeable to Side Imaging.

The Lowrance has GPS, the Humminbird does not and is not GPS capable.

The Humminbird cost $200 and the Lowrance cost $550 plus an extra $600 to add Structure Scan.

I didn't link the HDS-5X though Wayne, I linked the Mark-5X which is a lower end unit. 

The Mark-5X does indeed have a single beam transducer and I disagree that the Humminbird has better resolution.  It has more vertical res but less horizontal res and less total resolution.  You can do the math but the Lowrance has 230,400 total pixels vs. 204,800 for the Humminbird.  You can also look at the two pictures on the links I posted and see which one looks more sharp and precise.