Fishfinder/sonar - Humminbird 561 Vs Garmin Echo 200 ???

[popperpitcher]

The topic of fish finders (sonar) is entirely a new topic to me. I've been looking at a lot of material on the web and have pretty much narrowed it down to wanting a budget fishfinder that has a nice display and dual beam. The two that interest me most are the Garmin Echo200 and the Humminbird 561. They look pretty much equal to me but maybe I am missing something?

Any thoughts on which is better? Differences? Any insight would be appreciated!

[Wayne P.]

Have you asked this before? I remember the same units and same questions somewhere.

I'll give a similar answer:

Both have the same transmit power.

Both are mono-chrome displays.

The Garmin is 77/200 kHz and the Humminbird is 83/200 kHz.

The Humminbird has a 5" square screen that is 320 X 320 pixels.

The Garmin specs state it has a 5" screen also BUT the pixel count is 480 X 320 which must mean the screen is taller than the Humminbird and narrower. I dont' know if that gives it a higher resolution display or not. Resolution is pixels per square inch--not total display pixels.

Additionally there are more accessories available for the Humminbird to make it more versatile if wanted.

Look up the accessory list for both.

The 561 is $10 less in the Bass Pro catalog.

.

[popperpitcher]

Wayne,

Yes I asked on a different thread but don't remember getting any replies. Being new to this, I can read the specs and have seen both in a local store BUT since I have no experience with a sonar unit I don't have a clue as to which is more desireable. I have no consumer experience with either brand so don't know if either brand has "issues". All the reviews I have found are just listing of specs. I am leaning toward the 561 due to screen size.

Jack

[Wayne P.]

If those are the only two choices, I would choose the larger display also.

As far as having "issues", it's like any other product, it may be perfect and it may not be. Both companies are still in business so they must have desirable products.

The main "issue" is your installation. Do that correctly and you will be fine.