Hey guys, I was looking around online for a cheap depth finder to stick on my old 12 foot aluminum boat and found this:
Anybody ever use one of the portable jobs? It looks like an awesome toold for shore fishing and for using with a boat that doesn’t get used all too often. Price is right too.
Any experience?
D- It looks kind of neat and the price certainly is right. My only question though would be. How far from shore can you throw the sensor while shore fishing. It might work but seems kind of cheezy to me.
John
It has a 35 foot cable attached to the floating sensor.
Online reviews seem to state that it does what it is supposed to and is a good deal for the money. I think I may pick one up and test it tonight.
I wouldnt waste your money on one of those. Spend a couple dollars more on a real depth finder.. even an eagle cuda will tell you what is below the boat and prove to be very reliable.
Dave – I like the versatility of this unit. Can be used in the boat and out of it as well.
Like I said, I use my little boat about 3 times a year, and shore fish all the time.
Do you really think it is a waste of money?
I do know everyone that I have seen with the portable units havent been very satistfied with them, especially in the river. The only think you can really depend on is the water depth(when it reads), and they prove to be more hassle than they are worth, and spend more time sittin in their vehicals(or at home), only to be brought out when someone ask about them in a conversation, etc.
For in the boat, anything that is not mounted stationary is more of a hassle than anything. A hassle, is usually put in the corner somewhere out of the way and not used. I like to fish, not play wih toys. If I want to play with a toy, It will be a underwater camera.
A depth finder, no matter how cheap or expensive has to serve its purpose… To accurately show the depth, show structures, and show fish.. not false readings. Thats why I recommended the eagle cuda 168. Its cheap(around $70 if you search around), the has grey line(determines bottom hardness), and do a good job of showing fish… not some of he cheap units that will show fish inthe parking lot when you power them up. They dont have the super high resolution of the high dollr units, but they have a decent, accurate picture and a large enough screen to let you know whats going on. I believe they also have water temp.
Casting from shore, its easy to cast out a weight or jig and *count it down*. You can get a good feel for any area.
I guess what I am saying.. your better off paying for something you can depend on, and give you an advantage while fishing, and is not a hassle vs something that takes effort away from your fishing.
Maybe it would be an interesting *toy* to have, but I would own a depth finder before ever having an extra toy laying around.
Another option for a graph is the Bottom line fishing buddy’s that kind of look like a trolling motor without a loer unit. They camp onto the transom and show bottom, ad also have side finders(for what they are worth). These used to work very well on a Zodiak raft.. cat get much more portable.
You make a good argument Dave. I think I may pass on this thing and just buy a cheap new or used muntable unit. Gives me an excuse to try to fabricate a mount of some kind for it.
You just took $60 out of Walmart’s hands. 
Having a depth finder on your boat and making it more practical might encourage you to get it out more than a couple times a year 
Lots of good fishing opportunities in town here, and a 12′ boat is big enough, and it doesnt take much of a trolling motor to make an enjoyable day of fishing.
You think a trolling motor would do it on the river?
One of the reasons that my boat is not out much is that I need a new trolling motor. I am thinking a 5 or 6 HP will do it for the North Metro area.
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