Garmin Echo & Lowrance X4

[Teh]

Not sure if this is the appropriate forum so feel free to move if it's not.

Anyways, I'm fishing out of a Mad River 14' canoe this year, and would like a good compact portable sonar to use. I fish mostly small lakes, under 50 acres, ~20 ft max depth, green tinted water with the bottom being mostly weeds and a few rocks (I think). And I also fish a mostly shallow river (Harpeth for anyone in the area) with a mix of rock, sand, weed bottom and lots of timber. I am looking at the following:

Lowrance X-4

Garmin Echo 100 or 150

Humminbird Fishin' Buddy 120

Cost does play a factor. The fishin' buddy is hitting my limit, but I am interested in it's side viewing capabilities for the river, since I mostly hit the banks while floating. Also, not too far off from the Humminbird is the new Lowrance Elite 4-DSI. The DSI just plain looks cool to me, however since I fish mostly shallow areas, I am concerned about the range in which it will show the bottom, ie only directly under the boat. I think the plain old X4 for half price would be fine if thats all I'm looking at. But thats why I'm asking you guys, as I've never used one before. Honestly, I don't 'need' one I just like all the gadgets.

Thanks!

[Packard]

I own two Humminbird PiranhaMax 170 Depth Finders and have been happy with them. I use them out of my kayaks.

[Teh]

Thanks Packard. I was looking at those as well. Any issues with the battery placement in the kayak or getting wet?

[Packard]

Thanks Packard. I was looking at those as well. Any issues with the battery placement in the kayak or getting wet?

I put the battery inside a tupperware container. Mine has a sealed hole at the top that I can run the wire through but I am sure you could drill a hole and place a grommet in it then run your wire through of the tupperware doesn't have a hole in the lid. I just placed it in the storage within my kayak because it is an Ocean Kayak sit-on-top. I considered the other fishfinders that you listed but went with this Humminbird because of the price, and that Humminbird sells a kayak mounting kit that will allow the transducer to go thru the hull of the kayak. It will also work with thin-walled canoes.

http://store.humminbird.com/products/488399/MHX_XMK

[SausageFingers]

I recently purchased the X-4 and have it mounted on a canoe. I've only been out once this year, just to test it, but was impressed.

The screen is clear, the interface is very use friendly, and the readouts offer a wide range of customizeable options to suit your preference.

I believe you can purchase a separate battery pack for it. I connect mine to the trolling motor battery. You probably don't have that luxury fishing from a kayak.

[Darren.]

I use a Garmin Echo 100 in my kayak, works very well for me. Not an expert at on-screen interpretation yet, but as far as lake structure and such, it's good.

Looked at all the models you mention, but settled on the Echo because Garmin offers (or offered) better bang for the buck - i.e., included trolling motor mount, etc.

Would love a DSI model, though.

For a battery, I'm currently using an 18V LiON battery from my Hitachi drill. Darn thing lasts forEVER on a single charge. It's sealed, so not too worried about water. I do plan on using a sealed case at some point when I rig a simple-connection setup. FWIW, there's a fuse in the line to keep the unit safe from too much power.

[Teh]

Thats a good idea about using the drill battery. Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll go toy around with them in the store one day soon. Sounds like no matter which one I get I should be happy.