what fishfinder to buy? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jimmy310 · 02-12-2015, 01:39 PM

ok i got my tax money(700bucks) in which is the best fish finder hands down, and what battery and acccesories would i need to get it running?

tacmik · 02-12-2015, 02:00 PM

dragonfly by raymarine. 12 volt battery. rest depends on how you are going to mount it. check the post just down from yours.

ful-rac · 02-12-2015, 02:14 PM

Lowrance Dragonfly GT with Glide Technology of course.

jimmy310 · 02-12-2015, 08:13 PM

i was thinking about the dragonfly 5 what do you guys think ?

octico · 02-13-2015, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy310

i was thinking about the dragonfly 5 what do you guys think ?

That's what I have and I really happy with it.

cell128 · 02-13-2015, 06:51 AM

How much is the 5? Does it have all that techy dragonfly stuff? How's the glass display with full light?

Reelist · 02-13-2015, 08:37 AM

Raymarine Dragonfly6 w/navionics gold: less than $500 @ WestMarine.

momo fish · 02-13-2015, 10:57 AM

Great deal right there and limited quantity so jump on it asap. It's $200 off and with tax and extended warranty it's $601. Leaves you some money to buy a radio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reelist

Raymarine Dragonfly6 w/navionics gold: less than $500 @ WestMarine.

cell128 · 02-13-2015, 12:26 PM

Damn that is a very tempting deal
Trying to find out what's the difference between the other one that's on sale same price but doesn't have navionics gold. But its regular price is $50 more than the other one

jimmy310 · 02-13-2015, 12:32 PM

ive heard the dragonfly has a problem with water going inside the chip storage??

cell128 · 02-13-2015, 12:33 PM

If I get it gonna get 2 year warranty not too worried about water damage its worth it. Or throw some goop on the card slot. Probably never open it up anyways

momo fish · 02-13-2015, 12:55 PM

No difference, just the price... I would order it asap before they run out. Get the one with the navi card..

Reviews for this unit online and on BWE have all been positive so you can buy with confidence.

Dannowar · 02-13-2015, 01:12 PM

So wait. You're gonna buy a top of the line fish finder not knowing anything about fish finders.....then you're gonna goop the memory card slot?!

Buy yourself an elite 4, learn how to use the thing and spend your extra money on titties and beer. Or whatever else.....

Bert Vega · 02-13-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Buy yourself an elite 4, learn how to use the thing and spend your extra money on titties and beer. Or whatever else.....

DING DING DING

Best advise so far

erinoo · 02-13-2015, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

So wait. You're gonna buy a top of the line fish finder not knowing anything about fish finders.....then you're gonna goop the memory card slot?!

Buy yourself an elite 4, learn how to use the thing and spend your extra money on titties and beer. Or whatever else.....

Now this is a smart man.

momo fish · 02-13-2015, 02:19 PM

Can you provide some background before its left to assumptions.

What are you currently using and how comfortable are you using fish finders?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy310

ive heard the dragonfly has a problem with water going inside the chip storage??

TJones · 02-13-2015, 02:37 PM

Of navico ? I mean Lowrance ? My first units were hummingbird and I had a really nice one . But now that I transitioned to the D.S. , hobie and Lowrance . What better combo is there? Has anyone tried the new gen 3 ? I know there is at least one user who has one? Some feedback would be appreciated . I guess it's that time of year . Flowers about to bloom and time to get a new fish finder .

.

cell128 · 02-13-2015, 03:11 PM

I got an elite 4....no complaints other then really would like a bigger screen now and navionics which is already $179 standalone who needs an elite 4hdi? Id sell it to upgrade to dragonfly

FISH11 · 02-13-2015, 04:49 PM

Buy yourself an elite 4, learn how to use the thing and spend your extra money on titties and beer. Or whatever else.....[/QUOTE]

Here Here. I have a couple of Lowrance Elite 4's and thought there was something better. I have now used at the same time a Dragonfly 4.7 that my grandson won with the HOW Cuda 14 last year. I have it as a selfcontained unit that attaches to a rail and has the transducer direct in the water with and attached ram mount. I have used it twice in mission bay, once in san diego bay and once out in LJ out to 250 feet depft. Being able to compare my Elite 4 and the Dragonfly at the same time made me appreciate the Elite 4. Way less cost and much more adjustments to sensitivity and any typre of noise filters. I was able to learn more about the ajustments on the Elite and was able to verify all the different types of signals. If I was looking for a new FF I would actually buy the Lowrance Elite 5 HDS. Very easy to use and read the screen. Someone said that West Marine is going to have a one day sale on Feb. 20th for like $350. I would jump on it.

FlyFishinYakr · 02-14-2015, 04:36 AM

First off how much of that Tax Return do you want to spend?
I bought an Elite 5X DSI for my 2013 Outback.
The only 3 times I took it out was to Castaic (2x on the lagoon 1x on the upper lake), was to play (err...rather familiarize myself) with the Unit and how to access the functions/settings. It seemed to work OK [working the split screen(s), good clear marks once I figured out how to work the settings, structure, etc.), although I didn't fish (the upper lake) to test accuracy of the marks. I would have had the "Jailbirds" been out to play or if the LMB bite in the "Lagoon" had been decent. My only complaint (which was addressed by HOBIE for 2015), was that I couldn't get a temp reading due the interior "wet mount" (the only reasonable option other than the RAM transducer mount) I had ANDY at OEX SSB install on my Kayak and "some clutter" on the screen which I eventually filtered out.
I have heard so many good things about Lowrance products over the years and the performance of my Elite-5, I couldn't help myself when I had a chance at an HDS-8 DSI (for the screen size and dual SD slots) for under $1K for the new 2015 Outback I want to get when I'm better (will be great not having to "squint" to see the screen!).
This is just my opinion and I've noticed everyone seems to have their own preferences. Decide what's the most important to you, do the research and check the reviews from other members or fishing/boating Forums, pay attention to any recurring complaint(s) then make the best decision you can.
There is no guarantee that whatever you purchase will "be perfect" but then on the other hand you will learn what to look for in your next one!
Right now there's a big deal being made of the Dragonfly series (the 7 being the most popular) of FF on the market right now, haven't heard of any "glitches" just satisfied owners.
Best of luck in your search and decision.
FFY

02-12-2015, 01:39 PM	#1
jimmy310 Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: cypress, california Posts: 60	what fishfinder to buy? ok i got my tax money(700bucks) in which is the best fish finder hands down, and what battery and acccesories would i need to get it running?

02-12-2015, 02:00 PM	#2
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	dragonfly by raymarine. 12 volt battery. rest depends on how you are going to mount it. check the post just down from yours. __________________ Last edited by tacmik; 02-12-2015 at 02:10 PM.

02-12-2015, 02:14 PM	#3
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Lowrance Dragonfly GT with Glide Technology of course. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-13-2015, 01:12 PM	#13
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	So wait. You're gonna buy a top of the line fish finder not knowing anything about fish finders.....then you're gonna goop the memory card slot?! Buy yourself an elite 4, learn how to use the thing and spend your extra money on titties and beer. Or whatever else..... __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

02-13-2015, 02:37 PM	#17
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,523	Anyone fond Of navico ? I mean Lowrance ? My first units were hummingbird and I had a really nice one . But now that I transitioned to the D.S. , hobie and Lowrance . What better combo is there? Has anyone tried the new gen 3 ? I know there is at least one user who has one? Some feedback would be appreciated . I guess it's that time of year . Flowers about to bloom and time to get a new fish finder . .

02-12-2015, 08:13 PM	#4
jimmy310 Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: cypress, california Posts: 60	i was thinking about the dragonfly 5 what do you guys think ?

02-13-2015, 06:51 AM	#6
cell128 lizard king Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lakewood Posts: 520	How much is the 5? Does it have all that techy dragonfly stuff? How's the glass display with full light?

02-13-2015, 08:37 AM	#7
Reelist Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 40	Raymarine Dragonfly6 w/navionics gold: less than $500 @ WestMarine.

02-13-2015, 12:26 PM	#9
cell128 lizard king Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lakewood Posts: 520	Damn that is a very tempting deal Trying to find out what's the difference between the other one that's on sale same price but doesn't have navionics gold. But its regular price is $50 more than the other one

02-13-2015, 12:32 PM	#10
jimmy310 Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: cypress, california Posts: 60	ive heard the dragonfly has a problem with water going inside the chip storage??

02-13-2015, 12:33 PM	#11
cell128 lizard king Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lakewood Posts: 520	If I get it gonna get 2 year warranty not too worried about water damage its worth it. Or throw some goop on the card slot. Probably never open it up anyways

02-13-2015, 12:55 PM	#12
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	No difference, just the price... I would order it asap before they run out. Get the one with the navi card.. Reviews for this unit online and on BWE have all been positive so you can buy with confidence.

02-13-2015, 03:11 PM	#18
cell128 lizard king Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lakewood Posts: 520	I got an elite 4....no complaints other then really would like a bigger screen now and navionics which is already $179 standalone who needs an elite 4hdi? Id sell it to upgrade to dragonfly

02-13-2015, 04:49 PM	#19
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,629	Buy yourself an elite 4, learn how to use the thing and spend your extra money on titties and beer. Or whatever else.....[/QUOTE] Here Here. I have a couple of Lowrance Elite 4's and thought there was something better. I have now used at the same time a Dragonfly 4.7 that my grandson won with the HOW Cuda 14 last year. I have it as a selfcontained unit that attaches to a rail and has the transducer direct in the water with and attached ram mount. I have used it twice in mission bay, once in san diego bay and once out in LJ out to 250 feet depft. Being able to compare my Elite 4 and the Dragonfly at the same time made me appreciate the Elite 4. Way less cost and much more adjustments to sensitivity and any typre of noise filters. I was able to learn more about the ajustments on the Elite and was able to verify all the different types of signals. If I was looking for a new FF I would actually buy the Lowrance Elite 5 HDS. Very easy to use and read the screen. Someone said that West Marine is going to have a one day sale on Feb. 20th for like $350. I would jump on it. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

02-14-2015, 04:36 AM	#20
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	First off how much of that Tax Return do you want to spend? I bought an Elite 5X DSI for my 2013 Outback. The only 3 times I took it out was to Castaic (2x on the lagoon 1x on the upper lake), was to play (err...rather familiarize myself) with the Unit and how to access the functions/settings. It seemed to work OK [working the split screen(s), good clear marks once I figured out how to work the settings, structure, etc.), although I didn't fish (the upper lake) to test accuracy of the marks. I would have had the "Jailbirds" been out to play or if the LMB bite in the "Lagoon" had been decent. My only complaint (which was addressed by HOBIE for 2015), was that I couldn't get a temp reading due the interior "wet mount" (the only reasonable option other than the RAM transducer mount) I had ANDY at OEX SSB install on my Kayak and "some clutter" on the screen which I eventually filtered out. I have heard so many good things about Lowrance products over the years and the performance of my Elite-5, I couldn't help myself when I had a chance at an HDS-8 DSI (for the screen size and dual SD slots) for under $1K for the new 2015 Outback I want to get when I'm better (will be great not having to "squint" to see the screen!). This is just my opinion and I've noticed everyone seems to have their own preferences. Decide what's the most important to you, do the research and check the reviews from other members or fishing/boating Forums, pay attention to any recurring complaint(s) then make the best decision you can. There is no guarantee that whatever you purchase will "be perfect" but then on the other hand you will learn what to look for in your next one! Right now there's a big deal being made of the Dragonfly series (the 7 being the most popular) of FF on the market right now, haven't heard of any "glitches" just satisfied owners. Best of luck in your search and decision. FFY Last edited by FlyFishinYakr; 02-14-2015 at 04:53 AM.