Which water proof fishfinder should I get?

  Not having much success with my internet searches on this topic. Looks like Cuda discontinued the 250. Lowrance Elite 5×5 is out of my price range. How about the Garmin Waterproof 300C or Garmin Echo 501c Worldwide with Transducer? Any other recommendations?

Hey Paul, fisherman's marine has the elite 4 hd (color + GPS)  on sale for 180 bucks. Pretty good bang for the buck. It's really nice to be able to mark structure or schools of blacks and head right back to them. I personally like the humming bird 383 a bit better, but I think it's usually in the 250-300 range. I'd skip the dsi on the cheaper units, they only seem to get good detail in the 25-35 foot range and have a lot of noise outside of those ranges. You get a wider cone on the non dsi units and I find that more helpful in most of the fishing we do. If you do get the elite you will want to goop the little rubber door on the bottom.

Thanks Noah - very useful info!

Thanks Noah - I called Fisherman's Marine & put the Elite 4 HDI w/ 83/200 455/800 transducer on hold. It was their last one in the Oregon City store & couldn't find a better price.  Now need to figure out how to install it. Merry Christmas!

Paul

Think I'll use the battery box system to install it.

I wish I could have seen your post sooner. Please register your new unit. I never flipped my kayak without ending with water damage. I've gone thru 2. Good news is when replacing the unit for an extra $75 you can upgrade to the 5" unit that is better at getting wet. I've flipped twice and no damage on the new 5". Good luck Paul

I wish I could have seen your post sooner. Please register your new unit. I never flipped my kayak without ending with water damage. I've gone thru 2. Good news is when replacing the unit for an extra $75 you can upgrade to the 5" unit that is better at getting wet. I've flipped twice and no damage on the new 5". Good luck Paul

Me too. It's registered. They promised it's waterproof, so I'll hold them to it. Just have to make sure I don't huli. I intend to make it portable & easy as possible to remove, so maybe I won't use it at PC when there's a swell 

Goop the rubber card slot and you should be good.

I didn't see this post early enough either.  What I would suggest to the next guy is to pick up a used Cuda 250/350 off ebay for $50-$80 with or without a ducer.  If it does have a ducer, great!  If not, you can pick up a new one at Fishermans for about $70.  Good to go. 

Just be sure to apply copious amounts of dielectric grease to the pins and sockets of your connections. 
My Cuda 250 is still running strong since I got it in 2008.  Been dunked many times in the salt, as well as fresh water. Only had a ducer crap out on me once.  It is waterproof, has GPS and even floats!  Wish they didn't discontinue that line.

Dang... oh well
Noah - use marine goop on the card slot?

I didn't see this post early enough either.  What I would suggest to the next guy is to pick up a used Cuda 250/350 off ebay for $50-$80 with or without a ducer.  If it does have a ducer, great!  If not, you can pick up a new one at Fishermans for about $70.  Good to go. 

Just be sure to apply copious amounts of dielectric grease to the pins and sockets of your connections. 
My Cuda 250 is still running strong since I got it in 2008.  Been dunked many times in the salt, as well as fresh water. Only had a ducer crap out on me once.  It is waterproof, has GPS and even floats!  Wish they didn't discontinue that line.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eagle-Cuda-350i-S-Map-fishfinder-GPS-with-Portable-Power-Pack-12-/191432485672?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item2c9243eb28

NOS.  Just FYI.

I'm planning on using the following method to install the fishfinder unless one of you can tell me why it would be a terrible idea.
Haven't decided on a battery yet. Suggestions?

Paul is the battery box waterproof? If it is, I would go with a wire cable seal (clam) or your basic wire seal instead of the filed notch.

Paul is the battery box waterproof? If it is, I would go with a wire cable seal (clam) or your basic wire seal instead of the filed notch.

It isn't waterproof, but I was thinking along the same lines. Will a clam affect the signal by kinking the lines too much? I'm thinking of using an agm sealed lead acid battery with the grease Craig was recommending, so I'm not sure total waterproofing would be required. Any thoughts on waterproofing or batteries?

Just be sure to apply copious amounts of dielectric grease to the pins and sockets of your connections.

or

Pretty much the same battery that I use. My battery is in a pelican 1120 case with a external plug. Which fits inside of my kayak.