Review of FishFinder Reviews

You should learn how a fishfinder operates before making a choice.

Fishfinders use sonar technology to find fish-or any other solid object-under the surface of the water.  Sonar technology utilizes sound waves that are broadcasted into the water.  As they travel further, the sound wave will increase in diameter, going from the point of initiation and fanning out into a cone-like shape.  The cone continually gets larger in deeper water because it continues to fan out from the point of origin.  As the sonar wave hits a solid mass it will echo back to the transducer.  The time difference between when the sound bounces back from an object and it's surrounding area determine the shape and size.  The echo will then appear on your fishfinder screen and you will see the aproximate size, shape and depth of the object.

Your budget will likely be the next determining factor in your choice.   As a rule, think about how much you'd ideally like to spend on a fishfinder.   Then multiply that times two. That will give you a more realistic budget to work with.

Of course, budget cannot be the only consideration.  There are six other significant factors to help you to make the best choice for you.  Consider each of the following:

DEPTH RATING

All fish finders are rated up to a defined depth.   In other words, it tells you how far down the sonar or sound waves will reach effectively based on the intensity of the signal being sent.   However, you should know that the depth ratings given are for ideal circumstances in fresh, clean, relatively clear water; unless it states otherwise.   If you will be fishing in murky waters or salt water, that depth finder will not be effective to the maximum depth stated.   As with most other things, however, if you want a unit that will penetrate deeper water, that unit is going to cost more.

My recommendation is to purchase a fishfinder unit that has a depth of at least 10 percent more than what you think you will actually need.

IS THE TRANSDUCER INCLUDED?

You should check included accessories for your fishfinder diligently before you make your purchase. Some fish finders come without a transducer so you need to check the included accessories before purchasing. That will make a difference in the overal price.   There are two different kinds of transducers-single frequency and dual frequency. You may require one, the other or both depending on for what and where you are fishing. For inland lakes and shallow coastal waters a single frequency transducer works fine.   For offshore deep water and sea fishing, a dual frequency transducer is recommended.   This dual frequency transducer provides a second, higher frequency signal that shows you the fish or objects within a smaller cone-for deeper water.   For instance, a 50 kHz frequency fishfinder could have a 4 degree cone that goes deep down and provides a good view of the bottom whereas a 200 kHz frequency fishfinder with a 20 degree cone would provide a good view of the bottom in shallower water. When purchasing the transducer you want get the right one as all will produce an image on the screen but you want it to represent the bottom under the boat, not hundreds of yards around it.

Installation of the unit must also be factored in here. Another consideration is portability; will you leave it on one boat or move it from boat to boat. You also have to decide if you will transom mount it or go through the hull for optimum clarity.

Several companies make single frequency ducers.  Each of these units is best suited for use on a small boat.  They are intended for use on rivers, streams, or inland lakes.

A transom mount unit is usually easier and less expensive to install. Trasducers can be purchased in both single and dual frequency fish finder models. A fast moving boat will cause disrupted water at the transom and affect the use of a transom mount.Clarity usually is affected once your boat reaches 10 knots.

Through hull transducers, on the other hand, are ideal for performance and clarity. However, this requires another hole in the bottom of the boat.   And they are really only warranted if you need bottom reading at very high speeds.

My recommendation is to purchase a through-the-hull mounted transducer with dual frequency only if you are planning to fish in very deep waters-either fresh water or salt water.

For anyone who has a small boat or won't be fishing at really high speeds, go with a portable unit or a transom mount.   The money you save will be better served by using it to fill up your boat's gas tank!

POWER CONSIDERATION

Rule of thumb; more power is better. You will generally find less power in the cheaper unit when all else is equal.   However, power is the key to accuracy and clarity because that is what determines the speed of the sonar echoes (bounced back sound waves) reaching your unit.

After finding all other factors equal I recommend buying the unit with the highest power rating.   In other words, consider units that have everything you want and then compare the power rating of all of those units to see which one has the highest power rating.

DISPLAY - SCREEN AND RESOLUTION

Consider this when looking at different options for the display.  Viewing in bright sunlight os better with a color monitor.   Also, the higher the resolution, the clearer the image you will see on the screen.

We recommend you research several units in your price range then choose the one with the highest resolution and a color screen.  480x480 is ideal, but you don't want to go any lower than 320x240.

DISPLAY - SIZE

Like more power being better, when it comes to display size, bigger is always better-if it fits where you want to put it!  So before you can really determine the ideal display size for you, you need to measure the area where you will install the display unit. That will give you the largest display unit you can purchase.   A bigger screen will equal a heftier price, of course. However, screen size isn't everthing. A few really good fish finders have a 4" screen.

READ THE REVIEWS, BUT . . .

When reading the fish finders reviews be somewhat skeptical of exagerated claims of performance!   There is no way the reviews are written by someone who has actually used all of the different units and can definitively say one unit is the absolute best.   Instead, the review writer probably works for the manufacturer of a particular fishfinder.  It's best to look for technical differences rather than praise of performance. One example is of eFishBox's Fishfinder Review page.   Make your decision based on your requirements and a solid understanding of the features you need, not someone who is getting paid to endorse a particular product.