I'm in the market for a good finder for under $500 preferably in the $200 range. What do you guys think the best FF for the money is now? I want to be able to see brushpiles. I've never been a good sonar fisherman but I know it's important to learn. I am a tech guy so you'd think I can get this figured out.

Get Ernest Paty to give you some lessons.

Also look into CAT (Crappie Anglers of Texas).
We just had a seminar on Lowrance last night.

Free to come to the meetings.
Carrollton Library.

I always say: "If its Free, it's for Me"

For $200, the best for the money is the Eagle Fishmark 480...hands down, problem solved, buy it and never look back. You will see many replies after me that agree

The new model is from Lowrance, called the Mark 5X

http://www.basspro.com/Lowrance-Mark5x-Fishfinder/product/10215747/-1665426

I wouldnt trade my 480 for a farrari... WELL maybe hahaha.

Get an Eagle 320 or 480 while there are still some out there. They are discontinued from what I hear and for the money, they are worth every penny. Shoot, you can get 2 units for a couple of hundred if you find the right place.

Look Here!!!
Get the Eagle 480 sonar + GPS charting for less than $300

I have the 5x .. for the $$ I luv it!!

Find a good used one on the TFF classifieds section. There are some really good deals out there this time of year usually. You just have to check daily and be quick on the replies
The one I bought for my trolling motor recently was in really great shape and shows good detail for under $250 plus had GPS to mark your piles.
Just meet them face to face if you can and try to look at it before you buy. Good deals are out there all the time if you look around some, you might also check ebay.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...7_C#Post5262031

The same guy also had this one for sale and I'm not sure if he ever sold it. LCX 27c is also another great finder/gps for that price.
You might send him a PM to see if he still has it.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._GP#Post5261774

what about Hummingbird 586c color- sonar only ....4 1/2 " screen

Here is another fairly good one from yesterday. It won't have as good of target seperation though as it is only 320x240 resolution compared to the Eagle 480m but it is color.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._GPS_Son#UNREAD

I have not for less than $300 on the internet so far. Who is selling them for less than $300?

Click the "Look Here" link. It's on ebay.
OR
http://cgi.ebay.com/eagle-fishelite-480-...=item255e1fad44

Hey Duck how is that Mark 5x have heard conflicting stories on it? Plan on buying something this weekend. Thanks

pm sent

I have the 320 on my tube!! As slow as I go, I find the smallest of structure/cover, drop a market and catch fish. Adding that thing to my Tube made a world of difference.