fish finders

[Slightly_Twisted]

So I've been looking at a number of fishfinders and when I searched here seeing what people like most of the threads are 2 + years old.

I'm land locked, so freshwater almost excursively, would like a 4/5 inch color screen, looking in the 200-300$ range (or less would be nice!).

What are you guys using and like?

:beer:

[3 Squids]

I have the Hummingbird Helix 5 DI. I believe just the sonar they run $249.00. Mine also has GPS. Believe I paid more around $379.00. The down imaging is great.

[Redloon]

I'm using a Lowrance Elite 4X Chirp which works well for me. I use it in the local freshwater lakes to find trees and brushpiles while crappie fishing.
I keep it on the 40' range out in the lake or 20' range near the bank. The sonar works great and the down imaging doesn't seem to be quite as good but I most likely don't have it adjusted properly.

I got it free with the 1977 Wellcraft V20 Center Console I'm working on and currently use it while fishing out of my 1964 Skeeter.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Garmin gets my vote. They've come a long ways with there fish finders but there GPS has always been top notch. After using my current lowrance and my past experience with them, I will never have another lowrance product again. Hummingbird makes a great fish finder, but there gps has always been lacking in my opinion, and I have yet to have a hummingbird go more than 4 years without a failure.

[Destroyer]

Garmin for me. I have a Echo 300C. It ain't big, and it ain't brandy spanking new, but it works well and that's the main thing. I also use a Lowrance 86M ... more as a backup for my Raymarine chartplotter/radar/gps than as a fishfinder, but it also works well and I see no reason to stop using it. So I keep one at the stern and one at the helm. Since I use downriggers I like the fact that I can see the cannonball on the screen at the same time I see the fish. I know exactly at what depth my lure is at and can adjust accordingly... Handy

[wellcraftv20step]

If always owned the Garmin units ,but I sold mine along with my Pursuit.This winter I bought the Lowrance Hook 5 . The fish finder bottom contour part is great ,the Gps however is for Sh@t for more than one reason. I'll keep the lowrance for the fish finder but I just bought a Garmin 182C yesterday on Craigslist , I needed to get a real Gps again,and believe me I can't for it to get here, Go Garmin !!!!

[Slightly_Twisted]

Thanks guys!
I think so far the one I like is the

Garmin Striker 5cv 5" Fishfinder/GPS Track Plotter

Anyone have one or experience with it?

[phatdaddy]

Looks like a good deal for bottom machine, but I'd want maps on my plotter. Being mostly freshwater, might not be a big deal.

[KenBoo]

I have the Garmin 551 DV that I purchased 2 plus years ago. Works perfect, was easy to install, and very easy to use.

[bradford]

I don't fish, but like my Garmin 546s.

[SkunkBoat]

Lowrance Elites in different versions seem to be going on crash sale as the next version comes out. You can get a nice one for $300 that will do everything you need.
I agree that Lowrance Parts support went to crap when Navionics bought them.

[Striper80]

I don't fish, but like my Garmin 546s.

Mine was in a bucket of saltwater for 2 weeks in 2012 and is still working today.