On 30 Jan 2004 08:24:45 -0800, Stephen Kormilo wrote:

I am planning on buying a fish finder in the near future. I would
like a small, portable, unit since I usually do some fishing on canoe
trips that involve portages.

Units that appear to be suitable:

Hummingbird Piranha series
Hummingbird Smartcast RF30 (Wrist Unit) or Mobile Station
Hawkeye/Norcross FF3300PX
Eagle FishEasy 2
Eagle Cuda 128
Garmin 80
Garmin 120
Others?

Anyone have any recommendations or warnings on any of these fish
finders, or others?

Anyone have any recommendations for other forums in which I might ask
the same question?

TIA

Last summer I bought a Bottom Line "Sidefinder 1200". It is powered by a
bunch of D cells. It uses both down and side transducers. I use it in a
canoe for both fly and spin fishing. So far, it's a real success.
Accurately tracks fish and bottoms and seems to be able to differentiate
between the two. I really like the ability to easily point the side
transducer and wouldn't buy anything without that after having used one.

What it's done for me is to quickly check out so-called "hot spots".
Doesn't mean you'll catch anymore fish, but saves time in fishing places
where the fish aren't. It seems to be accurate horizontally out to about
50 - 70 ft. Vertically, I haven't found the limit, but I seldom fish the
really deep spots.

The only thing it lacks that I'd like is the ability to run off a 12v deep
cycle battery, but I haven't thoroughly investigated that possibility. (I
often use a battery in the canoe to power a little electric trolling motor)
--

Larry
email is rapp at lmr dot com