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Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection #11391259 02/04/16 03:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
F
Fishin N' Golfn Offline OP
Green Horn
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Green Horn
F
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
Morning All,

Wont bore with details.... Basically trying to pull the trigger on a Depth Finder for my Pelican Sit on Top Yak and have narrowed it down to two models (but still open to other suggestions). Not terribly concerned with GPS - will stay local and wont be venturing off into deep waters or uncharted territory.

Really just looking for a quality finder that will give nice clear images of structure and bottom composition.

Two Models I am Considering:
Garmin Echo 551DV Sonar
Lowrance Elite 4x CHIRP 83/200 455/800 Sonar


Budget is $300 or under but I like the $199 price point of both of the above.

Any feedback/Tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Fishin N' Golfn] #11391432 02/04/16 04:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
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Rhino68W Offline
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Posts: 6,763
Don't forget to factor how you will be mounting it into your budget. I don't have a FF right now so I won't input on this, but I have heard a lot of great things about the CHIRP

Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Fishin N' Golfn] #11391487 02/04/16 05:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,269
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jasoniam Offline
Extreme Angler
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,269
I have the elite 4x chirp with gps got it from imarineusa 260 shipped and it's amazing


[Linked Image]
Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Fishin N' Golfn] #11391512 02/04/16 05:10 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
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crappie fan Offline
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I will chime in on the GPS function, as it is very helpful fishing new waters or any waters. With the correct mapping software, you can use it to help you narrow the waters down, by showing you the general area of creek beds, road beds, any deep water holes. Then use the fish finder to pin point those areas. Keeps you from having to hunt as hard randomly and gives you more fishing time due to keeping you on high target areas.

Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Fishin N' Golfn] #11391729 02/04/16 06:40 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
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TreeBass Online Content
Lt. Dan
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welcome

I have the Lowrance Mark-4 HDI mounted on mine, love it. I'll never have a graph that doesn't have GPS in order to mark waypoints



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Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Rhino68W] #11393011 02/05/16 02:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
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Fishin N' Golfn Offline OP
Green Horn
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Good point. Thanks for the post, appreciate it.

Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Fishin N' Golfn] #11393883 02/05/16 03:31 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 16,495
Magged Out Offline
TFF Guru
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Posts: 16,495
If you buy the Lowrance. Go check on the Lowrance website. Product might qualify for a $50 prepaid Visa thumb


I'd Tack That!!
Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Fishin N' Golfn] #11394288 02/05/16 05:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2014
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HeavyLead Offline
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I have the Elite 4x Chirp. Kind of wish I got the one with GPS now. I use the Navionics app on my phone, so I'm not completely lost, but it sure would be nice to be able to just glance down and see exactly where I'm paddling.

Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Fishin N' Golfn] #11394531 02/05/16 07:12 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
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YakRider Offline
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Posts: 491
Does downcan and/or sidescan add a lot of benefits to kayaker especially for crappie fishing?

Last edited by YakRider; 02/05/16 07:13 PM.
Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: Fishin N' Golfn] #11394627 02/05/16 07:46 PM
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HeavyLead Offline
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yes!

Re: Kayak-Fishing Noob - Depth Finder Selection [Re: YakRider] #11394783 02/05/16 08:39 PM
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bert Offline
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Originally Posted By: YakRider
Does downcan and/or sidescan add a lot of benefits to kayaker especially for crappie fishing?


Downscan/sidescan is 3d sonar vs 2d sonar, for an idea of the difference in technology my usual analogy is the difference between 4k uhd tv versus a grainy black and white tv from the 50s. Being able to see the difference between what you think is a tree and a the smallest twigs on the tree with fish hiding in the branches makes a huge difference in locating the fish especially crappie.


Bert

"Ipsa scientia potestas est"-Knowledge in itself is power - Sir Francis Bacon

"Beware the lolipop of mediocrity, one lick and you could suck forever" - unknown author
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