Cabellas " fishin buddy"

I've decided its time to get a FF. Kinda intimidated with all the talk of what a bitch the transducer mounting can be, and all the battery hardware!
 Never having a FF before, I don't want to spend top $$ to find out I only use it a few times. Or put any holes in my boat not needed.
 Has anyone ever seen one or know of an experiance with these? Cabellas has carried them for many years, I'm thinking they are fairly reliable.
 I would love to hear ALL comments on any FF you would like to express.
 Thanks, 
 tight lines and wet paddles

Box. I picked up a eagle fish II at walmart for $100. I mounted the bracket to the top of my yak with brass and epoxy, watertight as a frogs butt. The transducer I set up as a shoot through hull. Some transducers are made to do this easier then some. The key is when mixing epoxy, (this method is permanent) not to over mix so not to get bubbles in it.That will put "white snow" on your screen as it picks up the air bubbles.
The battery part is really not to hard. I picked up a12volt battery at radio shack for $24 it rechargeable. I have had it now for about 3 years. I recharge it with a trickle charger with a float at 2 amp charge. There are a few tricks you can do to keep them stable in your hull, velcro is one way. The main body of the ff comes of for storage and it connects pretty easy. If you had one with a gps on it that would be all the less you had to pack with you. What ever you do you will find that at least you will have a depth finder that is always a bounus.
Good luck, hope it works. This is just my 2cents, there are a many more ways to go. Just figure out what works for you. I always know after I do something I will see it done different some where else.
Matt

Thanks Floatin, I'm gonna order it up and if it won't fit through the scupper on my P13 I'll rig a gheto bar for the "sidesaddle" ride.
 I see you feel strongly about having a depth finder on board. Thats what I'm looking for.
PS your avatar looks a little warmer now!

Don't shy away from other brands out of fear of the transducer mounting.  I've mounted a number using Marine Goop.  It's a 2 minute job plus overnight drying.  I haven't had any problems whatsoever doing it this way.  For a battery I use a 7 Ah sealed gel battery and I just put it in a dry bag and I don't even secure it.

-Allen

If I remember correctly, you pay a penalty for the convenience of the Fishin Buddy, in that the specs (depth, screen resolution,etc.) don't compare well with conventional units, for units close to the same price.

As some one that use to build composite boats, I'd recommend the goop set for the transducer. It'll flex, while epoxy probably won't.

POLE, so the biggest hole in the boat would have to be how big? Eagle seems to be the brand most have on their yak, Is cost or durability the reason?
I am going to Ca. today to drop dog at vet and do a quick inspection, Wal-Mart has the eagles in the  store there, I'll check em out again.
 Does the battery and all come with it? Or am I looking for a battery source now?
Thanks ya'll, I will purchase a more substantial unit after the advice from here. For a few dollars more I can see the advantage of resolution and beam width (buddy has narrow beam).
 OH BOY! NEW TOY!
 Now if the weather would lay down! Haven't gotten in the Ocean yet this year! New crab traps are gonna rust in the garage!LOL

The biggest holes(s) I drilled were for the base of the RAM mount.  I run my wires from the hatch and didn't drill any holes to bring them through the deck.  Batteries typically do NOT come with a FF.

-Allen

Lack of selection in my area is a bitch!!
 I have been to every outdoor store and fishing supply house in my area (2 towns). Englund marine had the best selection (3) and none were through the hull transducers. All large and spendy Lowrance models, great for the power boat I guess.
 So, I am going to have to order it from somewhere. A specific model # would be of great help, could not find "eagle 2".
Just need a basic model to start, if I use it much I'll step up when it wears out.
Thanks a whole lot.

The Eagle 245DS has it's share of followers and fits the "definite bargain" category.  If you like to step up a bit the Humminbird Matrix 17 is a good unit, and the one I use.

-Allen

I used a "fishin buddy" portable FF before getting a Matrix 17.  IMHO, there simply is no comparison.  I installed the transducer insinde the hull  using marine goop, and have no issuses at all.  I still have my old "fishing buddy" protabe, though I did shorten the shaft so that I could just poke it thorugh the main scupper hole on my boat.  It is still operable and I am happy to send it on to anyone who can find a use for it.

Pete

Been on-line since reading post and cannot find a matrix 17 for sale! The 245 ds is a skimmer transducer, don't they have to be in the water to work?
I don't mind spending if I know the quality is there.
any other model #'s to look for?
Now is one of the few times in 18 years I miss living in a city!!
Thanks for all the help guys, I owe you all a beer!!

I think the Matrix 17 has been discontinued and the 717 is replacing it.  In fact, a bunch of the Matrix line appears to be no longer.

The 245 should shoot through your boat just fine.  You can also try the 250ds which just has a little more resolution to the screen.

-Allen

Box,

I see a used one on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Hummingbird-Matrix-17-Fishing-System_W0QQitemZ270087664853QQihZ017QQcategoryZ29723QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$80 bucks or so.  That includes the all-important transducer too.  Not bad if everything works.

Fishin-T

Hey you know what else is an option when it comes to batterys I noticed at Wally world in the toy section they have these 6 and 12 volt baterrys they sell for those battery operated jeeps that the kids sit in and drive around your house and tourment you cat and dog with. They where about 4"x3"x1" or so. I don't remember the price though. I may check it out as a back up to carry with me.

Box, try eangler.com