Color depth finder question

[riplipper]

Looking to spend 600-1000 for new color bottom machine....Furuno or Raymarine are the choices at this point....Questions
1...what do I really get with an extra wattage transducer...1000 vs 500 in 100 feet of water? That is pretty much as deep as I go....maybe 130...

2...I personally like transome mounts due to trailering and occational shallow water and beaching the boat...mine reads fine at 30mph....am I really hurting performance with transome mount in these depths?

3...I like furuno but I am hearing so many things good about the new Raymarines, any thoughts....

By the way...just finder, no nav stuff...Ive got a good gps

Thanks for your input..

[Tom Keels]

Furuno 600L with the transom mount transducer. Best bang for the buck IMHO.

[Puncture Wound]

Rip,

Also look at the new 620 from furnuno, 600watts, transmount, digital technology, i love mine, give chris hill at h&l tackle a call he can set you up. the 600l are a great machine and last time i checked being sold at a baragin of a price. i think you will be happy with either machine

[ObieWan2bWet]

I have heard very good things about the Raymarine HD digital, and you just can't go wrong with Furuno bottom machines. A bud recently got the A65 HD combo, its pretty sweet I have to say, (awsome resolution) and for the higher end of your buget having the back up GPS may not be a bad way to go. My understanding of wattage is, more is better. My .02

[SpearDiverTampa]

I would definately recommend the Furuno 582, 600, and 620 units. All affordable, very high quality units. Let me know if you need a quote on a specific unit. Thanks,
-Chris Hill

[riplipper]

Thanks guys. Is the Furuno 600L older technology?? its been around for a long time and I think Furuno launched some new units this year...I know they were offering rebates to move the 600 and 582 units..just curious..

thanks again for your help

[ObieWan2bWet]

My Furuno is an older FCV-665 CRT, and still works great, can't tell ya better than the newer stuff but I can tell you it still does whats needed, I call it the eveready bunny 'cause it just won't die and give me an excuse to spend more money I don't have on new toys. IMHO if you can get a deal/clearance/out of production type thingy on any Furuno and save a few bucks over the latest greatest, jump on it, you just can't go wrong. I know guys who can dial a spot with a handheld and Humminbird 100 better than I probably ever could with 10k in toys.

[Megabeast]

Doin'er Deeper just got a new Raymarine unit, I could read it fine (found spots no problem). It was just as easy to use as the Furunos I've been using for the last couple years.

[Steve-o]

I don't know how deep you fish, but I'd say if you're trying to meter stuff past 2-300 feet, you could benefit from the extra power. I'm sure there are other makes that will get the job done, but for such an important device (for what I do) I'll buy Furuno or Simrad. Simrad is harder to find but they make outstanding fishfinders, and I like their plotting also. Spend the extra money on a nice thru-hull and fairing block for a quality install and you'll reap a lot more performance from the unit.

EDIT: You did say how deep you fish! If you fish tuna, you can use the extra transmit power in my opinion. If you fish where there is bottom in less than about 250 feet, the power of the 600L is probably fine. Still spring for the nice transducer though.