I'm looking for a cheap fishfinder in the $100 range. Which brand is the best? Lowrance, Garmin, or Hummingbird?

Also what do you use and do you have any tips for rigging one up?

I have the humminbird piranhamax 175 and I like it. Transducer mounted in hull with duct seal and the finder on a ram mount

I have a Lowrance Elite 4 DSI I really like it. And with Lowrance's scupper transducer mount it make mounting the transducer simple. I also like the Elite 5 DSI with the bigger screen. They arent in the $100 range but you can find one without GPS for just over $100 sometimes on sale.

I started out with a Lowrance x85 that I was given. It was an old discontinued model that was high end in its day. It didn't have a bracket and I never got one, just put it in my lap trying to decide if I even needed a fishfinder on a kayak. What an experience! Can't believe I'd gone all these years without one. Upgraded to a Lowrance Elite 4 DSI/gps model earlier this year which I'm thrilled with but still have fond memories of the x85. If you spend some time finding out about used units being sold on Ebay you can come up with something that will blow a new $100 dollar fishfinder of any brand, out of the water. Just have to know that most sold on Ebay don't have the power cord, tranducers,speed/temp sensors or brackets included and know about what those will cost. Keep an eye on this one listed below to see what it goes for.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowrance-X85-/121106029610?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c327b5c2a

This one below looks good too..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowrance-X87-Fis...=item232ac6ea19



Picture below is of my old Lowrance...it had the three distinct tones depending on size/strength of return and I could just paddle along and when the deep tone came up I knew I was on top of some good sized fish.

I had that same unit on my boat once you figured how to use it she was sweet

I'd go with lowrance. They make very nice electronics. Scrub through sales adds and manufacturers websites for deals that are not advertised in stores. Lots of deals and sales going on right now.

I just saw the academy in Lewisville has the humming bird 150 on Clearance for 49.88

I dunno why the garmin echo 150 never gets recommended, its 99.99, I really like mine, and would recommend it to anyone who wants that 100 price range ff, my cousin uses the lowrance 5x pro 159.99, his has a 5 inch screen, also a dual beam and he loves his, so I don't really think you can go wrong with either or, just try to get on the water with one. Also if you can't read arches don't get the garmin

You will not regret getting a fish finder. I have a 160 portable and it really helps me. I don't waste time anymore on empty water.

all brands about the same. get one with a double beam for 10 dollars more. ive had humminbirds