well i ended up taking the easy way out at the pro shop today and picked up a Fishin Buddy 1200. I really wanted to get somethin, didn't matter what as long as i could see what the bottom was like, before the sonoma tournament and this thing definately was the easiest answer. No battery, no separate transducer, etc, but im sure the quality may lack a little.

Does anyone else have this, or any of the fishin buddies. If so whats the pros and cons on these things, are they accurate???

Carson,
I have an 1101 and have only used it a few times .I am inexperienced at using sonar so I`m still getting used to it. I am still toyin with the mounting but you have to be careful in shallow water with the transducer hitting rock or whatever if you have it mounted low like mine,also I was getting some echo problems with my original set up. I agree it`ll get the job done ,but at some point I`ll switch to a 12v style like eagle or lowrance.My 2cent. Mike P.

If you ever need help setting one up like you saw on my boat just give me a ring, you could meet me at my place or me at yours. Once we have a little hardward two of us could cleanly install a 12v set up in a couple of hours easy.

If you are happy with what you bought, that is what matters. Good luck this Sunday with your new toy.

John

Yuck dude,take it back!

Haven't been using mine much lately, as it turns out, but it is convenient for not having to wire up a 12v system. I like it for getting a depth reading, but never really trusted it for much else. However, was it Doug Tyler who was saying he was seeing some fish with the 'sidefinder' feature? I never really tried using mine that way, but it sounded like (if I read the report here correctly) that whoever it was was seeing fish and following that up with *bites*, so that's something I'd definitely like to follow up on.

In any case, Carson, you'll probably find some use for your new unit, but I have a feeling you'll step up to a more powerful setup before too long as you see what the higher-end units have to offer.

What happened to my "2579.jpg"???

ya i know these things are the best for the price, but im sure that ill be upgrading sooner than later. i just wanted something so i could pretty much see how deep, temp, and what the bottom was lookin like.

Check out that x-85 on westerns classified section.Its a way better unit for the same money.You`ll get a more vivid view of the bottom, structure wise and hardness of the bottom due to the fact it has twice the amount of pixels.Its also worth more than the $125. he`s asking so when and if you ever want to upgrade again you`ll probably make money on selling it.It`s up to you though,your right the fishing buddy will give you depth and temp and some insight on whats under the water.cya sunday(maybe)

ya i was actually checkin out that x-85, but hes sellin just the monitor for 125 and he said another transducer would be around 50 dollars, still a really good deal i think...but time consuming, ill be there sunday!

No transducer,dang.Yep,that makes a difference in what a deal it seemed to be.x(

I have a hummingbird wide eye you can have. You
will need to buy a transducer cause the original
is pasted in my bilge and I aint going in after
it. I think the transducer would be around 20
bucks. These are in my opinion not nearly as good
as the Law "X" products but it shows bottom contour
good and fish too. Price is rite and its yours if'n
ya want it.


Mike