Cost of depth sounders vs fishfinders

[Peter]

I know there has been a lot written on depth sounders vs fishfinders for use on sailboats, but I wonder if anyone has any idea why Hummingbird can produce a fishfinder that has a depth sounder built in as part of it and that can show the configuration of the bottom (as well as any fish present) for under $100 (their cheapest model) but if you look for depth sounders, most of which only show a number the cost is $250 and up. I understand that construction may be cheaper, and that the fishfinder in question does not have a keel offset as most depth sounders do, but that's still a big difference in price. Does anyone have enough experience with both to comment? I'd appreciate it because I'm in the market for a depth sounder of some sort for my CD26. Thanks,
Peter



pkozup@juno.com

[Tom S.]

I know there has been a lot written on depth sounders vs fishfinders for use on sailboats, but I wonder if anyone has any idea why Hummingbird can produce a fishfinder that has a depth sounder built in as part of it and that can show the configuration of the bottom (as well as any fish present) for under $100 (their cheapest model) but if you look for depth sounders, most of which only show a number the cost is $250 and up. I understand that construction may be cheaper, and that the fishfinder in question does not have a keel offset as most depth sounders do, but that's still a big difference in price. Does anyone have enough experience with both to comment? I'd appreciate it because I'm in the market for a depth sounder of some sort for my CD26. Thanks,
Peter

Peter last season I replaced my Data Marine sounder with a Lowrance X65 sonar.I epoxied the supplied transducer inside the hull and don'see any power loss.I can now see the bottom contours,drop offs,tell weather it's sand,mud,rocks.The unit has an anchor alarm and a keel offset.I can't imagine going back to numerical sounder.I have been told if you intend to "shoot through the hull"not to purchase a lower end unit.The drive might not be there to go through a heavy bottom.I have had Hummingbird and Lowrance sonars on several boats and much prefer the Lowrance.
r



TShel11523@aol.com

[Ken Cave]

Most of the fishfinders do not read what is in front of the pointy end of the boat. The only unit I have seen (and that was at the London Boat Show three weeks ago) was an Echo Pilot that has a true Foward Looking Sonar and runs about $800.00

I almost purchased one, but could not figure how to mount the tranducer that must be mounted in and around the bow.

I presently have a Standard unit that works great-but does not read what is in front of our boat, and, in the waters of the Northwest, there are a lot of rocks and reefs that are not charted!!

Ken Cave
Dragon Tale
Cape Dory 28



bcavde@whidbey.net