Fishfinders

[mocka]

I would like a little feedback on waterproof fish finders with reasonable quality imaging.

I hope to install one after several years kayaking without having access to a unit, and a GPS function would be welcome, but not necessary.

I do not want to pay a top end price, BUT, I am looking for good quality in the unit and would prefer an inside hull transducer mount on my PA14.

It is important that the prospective unit be totally waterproof and I may even look at a secondhand unit, as I know that there are tackle freaks out there that "upgrade" at a moments notice.

I am looking to self install the unit ,and its a rough choice between Humminbird, Lowrance and Garmin but I really look forward to constructive feedback from members attempts, and a history of units in use.

What I would like is honest assessments on units, and not your "favourites" please ,as hopefully bias will not creep in.

[choppers]

Lowrance seem to offer great service and are happy to replace any unit that plays up due to water damage..
Love my elite 4chirp, cost around four hundred bucks with navionics gold card
Superseded now by the elite 4 hook

[MrTall]

I was reasonably concerned about water ingress when selecting a new sounder recently, and settled on the garmin striker 4 as it has gps capabilities without the card slot as a potential point of ingress. Does not do mapping though, only waypoints.
The garmin chirp sonar gets a pretty good wrap though.
Dave

[Wind Waker]

Lowrance seem to offer great service and are happy to replace any unit that plays up due to water damage..
Love my elite 4chirp, cost around four hundred bucks with navionics gold card
Superseded now by the elite 4 hook

+1 on this sounder. Nice and Lowrance seem to back the product regardless of where it sits in the price range

[CrazyChenski]

There is no total waterproof in any fish finders. In the SWR trip last year, the group has written off combine of 4+ fish finders, due to amount of water we get splash onto. And these were Lowrance and garmins.

So the issue may come down to how these Brand handles after sales warranty .

[shane]

I've been happy with my Lowrance Elite 4 CHRIP. I would put it behind the Garmins for sonar quality but as an all-round package its very hard to beat for the price. This is my second one after the first got too much water in (warranty replacement) so be careful. However I don't believe any of them are made to handle the water ingress that can occur on a yak. With screen size I find the 4" OK as its located close on the side rail near my left elbow. If you mount it further away you may need a larger screen and then the prices jump significantly.

[bunyip]

Lowrance seem to offer great service and are happy to replace any unit that plays up due to water damage..
Love my elite 4chirp, cost around four hundred bucks with navionics gold card
Superseded now by the elite 4 hook

What does the gold card cover?
I want a card for mine and basically Adelaide to Brisbane is about $330 with NZ thrown in.
Unfortunately the card in my older Northstar is not SD and won't fit.

[Yako]

I'm loving my Dragonfly Pro4 but have never used the wifish option (maybe if I was on a 40 Ft boat).
I'm loving the imagery & features.
The units body is the same size as the 5" but it runs horizontally unlike Lowrance vertical screen (if that makes sense).

[cobby]

Garmin echomap chirp 45dv. If I was in the market right now thats what I'd get. Had some niggling connection issues with a perfectly fine non corroded plug on an elite 4x Dsi on the yak and continuing major spasms with a hds unit in the boat that have put me and the old man off lowrance products. Boat will most likely end up with the echomap chirp 95sv

[Gozz]

I have the Lowrance 5 chirp combo on my PA and it's been faultless.
Last a couple trips on one charge or about 8 hrs straight.
The chirp really clears up what you'd normally think were fish.