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I am looking to do a lot of vertical and deep water structure fishing and I am looking for a sonar the would show very good detail. I want one that I can set up to show my bait on the screen like I have been seeing the pros do on tv lately without having to spend the extra money on one with GPS. I am looking for a Lowrance or humminbird and I would like to stay under $500.
Thanks
The units the pros use have a tremendous amount of power (generally 2000+ watts) with a large screen and high resolution. The less expensive models although very good units don't offer the same features. I have a LMS 332C on the front of my boat which runs $600+ and it doesn't show the kind of detail you want. My LCX 113C on the console however does. BIG difference in price! Good luck.
I have done a little research on this in the past, and the price convinced me that it was something I didn't really need. Triton hit the nail on the head. You may be able to find resolution high enough in that price range, but when you start raising the power of the unit combined with higher resolution the price sky rockets.
You may want to consider a dual beam device, i.e., Garmin 400C. Cone angles are 14 degress & 45 degrees. The wider cone angle is helpful in seeing your spoons, jigs, and etc. when fishing in less than dead calm water. Terminal gear will be harder to keep in a narrow cone angle.
With that depth finder I was able to see my small swivel I had 24" above my spoon at 40 feet. I have no info on Lowrance or Hummingbird.
Just a few suggestions: In the Eagle line-up, I'd look at either the Fishmark 480 unit for monochrome, or the 500C/640C units in color depending on your preferences. All are 1500 watts of power with enough resolution to easily do what you want. In the Lowrance line-up, look at the 500 series color units (like the 510C). Those have 2400 watts of power and again, enough resolution to get the job done.
Thanks for the help I was hoping the 510 would be able to do that and I will also check in on the Garmin also.
Thanks
I have a Lowrance 520 sonar/GPS and you can adjust the setting to see your bait falling vertical.
Before you buy a Lowrance 510 C sonar compare some prices. The LMS 520 is the GPS/sonar version of the 510 C. Look at how Lowrance has them priced...it is actually cheaper to get a LMS 520 without an antenna than to buy a 510C.
If you go with the LMS 520 and latter decide that you want to add the GPS function all you have to do is purchase an antenna. A lot of people purchase one unit then decide latter on that they want to add another.They network them together and only need one antenna to do that. They dont know that you can purchase a Lowrance GPS/sonar without the antenna and the antenna ends up on ebay for a cheap price.
I can provide you with a link and phone number where you can get Lowrance products cheaper than the factory suggested retail price. Since the price is cheaper than factory suggested price they can not advertise it online...you will have to call for a price quote.
They will sell you a unit any way you want it...the whole package,just the head unit or just the head unit and transducer. Plus you can choose which transducer you want skimmer,shoot thru hull with internal temp,shoot thru hull with external temp or trolling motor puck.
Call me if you need more info. I have bought from them in the past and I know what their prices are.