Portable Fishfinder for Float Tube

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

I am starting to look for some type of electronics for the fishing adventures in the spring. I am looking for a good portable fishfinder that I would be able to easily use on my float tube. Any ideas? This is what I have been looking at right now.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... ku=3661652

http://www.diguniverse.com/MARINE-AND-R ... 16129.html

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Rollin with Rolland]

Have you checked the gear forum Bisk1tSnGraV?? There is a thread in there about portables. I gave my review of mine in there....The Lowrance M68c S/map. Beautiful portable unit, semi-pricey, but I'm totally satisfied. I even bought it at cabela's, and three years into owning it I had a little mishap. I told them it just stop (the gps) working and, bam, brand new one off the shelf with all the upgrades!! I've had it 5 years.

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

Thanks Rolland. I did read through that thread as well. I wasnt sure if I wanted a smaller unit that would be easy to pack around with me and the tube.

[Rollin with Rolland]

oops.

[Rollin with Rolland]

Eagle and Lowrance make great small units. Mine is a 3.5" screen, weight/size is not an issue (the unit fits in my pocket). It's the smallest Eagle/Lowrance makes...... Check it out.

EDIT. sorry i didn't check your links BnG. From what I have heard, those type of sounders are kinda worthless. they really only tell you depth. I have found a 2 oz. sinker at $0.50 is much better at telling you depth AND BOTTOM TYPE than one of those. Seriously. I would save the cash, Christmas gift cards, and get a decent unit in the spring sales that you could use for awhile, tube or boat. Eagle/Low. and Hummingbird all make great units around 150 +/-.

MY opinion. Happy T-DAY....:chef:

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

It is a very nice one Rolland .. but at the moment a tad out of me reach.

[VHMLLC]

hey gravy, i have the fishing buddy 130 i use on my toon. they make a tube mount for it . mines pretty good it gives depth, temp, fish and has a few bells and whistels i havent played with yet. i think they are in your price range. give them a look see.





:viking:

[Mike Carey]

I have had two fishingbuddies. First one the screen died after maybe a couple years. Second one still works but I have to remove the batteries each time because it drains them even though it is off.

I like the unit and it works well as a portable, but the reliability has been suspect for me.

[MikeFishes]

I have the Humminbird Smartcast fish finder. I just attach it to my pontoon and drag it.

Here's a quick review:

Pros:
I have the watch version, so it's easy to use. It does have a watch, so I know that I'm late (as always). It has all the necessary things, sound, water temp, depth. It seems accurate, but I'm still learning. Sonar unit has water contacts so it's on only when in the water. The watch is waterproof, which is a big deal around here.

Cons:
The display doesn't seem to like cold. As Mike points out, the battery does die pretty quickly, so taking it out wouldn't be a bad idea. The sonar unit is a completely sealed unit, so once it's batteries die, you have to get a new one ($25). If the water is really choppy, then the display unit may have a hard time keeping a signal.

Overall:
It's an OK unit. More light weight than anythng and easy to use. I wish the display was a bit better. It is small so you do need to use the sound indicator. I've learned that it's best for figuring out how deep to go and where structure is. Again, I'm still learning.

As I said, I tie a line to it and attach it to my pontoon so it just trails behind me while I troll or fish. I do use it and cast out to see where struture is or possible fish when I'm shore-bound.

When I first got it, I had to return the unit. It wasn't completely sealed, so water would get in and the sonar would stop (temprature worked though). They must have had a bad batch of transcievers cause the next one had the same problem. I called Hummingbird and faxed them my reciept and they sent me a new transciever.

Good luck, let us know which one you get.

[Firetiger]

I have an Eagle 245 DF portable that might work on a float tube. Want $65 for it.