If you are an avid fisherman or a recreational angler, you’ve probably considered getting a nifty little fishfinder at one time or another to help boost your daily catch. In this article, we will cover some of the basic features that you should be considering as well as particular models that are great for the beginner such as the Garmin Fishfinder 160C.
One of the first things that you will probably want to consider is the size of the unit and screen. Fishfinder screens come in a range of sizes and obviously the bigger size will suit you better if you want to be able to view the screen from a reasonable distance. If you are looking for a model that utilizes a split screen mode, this will be of even more importance so that you are sure to be able to read the screen clearly while using the split function.
Another screen feature to consider is whether or not you want to purchase a traditional CTR (Cathode Ray Tube) screen or the increasingly popular LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) option. The LCD screens have a much clearer and greater resolution just as the newer television screens in LCD format do. For most recreational anglers, the CTR screen is just fine and you will see that they are generally much cheaper than the LCD units.
It is always a good idea to choose a fishfinder that includes color fish symbol ID’s, such as the Garmin 160C. It is well worth any extra cost to choose the color over black and white because having the large varieties of color to identify the fish is much easier than one that has various shades of gray only. The end result of this will mean a bigger catch for you!
Unless you are in a large covered boat, you will want to be sure to choose a unit that is waterproof. Be careful of models that are labels “splash resistant” as this usually indicates that they are not truly waterproof at all.
One of the most important features that you will be considering is how much power the fishfinder has. Power is measured in watts and in general the more wattage you have access to, the deeper and more accurately the unit will read.
Along with the amount of power the unit has, you will also want to consider its transducer capabilities. The transducer utilizes something called the crystal which sends a beam out into the water. A bigger or wider diameter of the transducer’s crystal translates into a deeper penetration into the depth of the water.
Obviously, you will also want to consider your budget. Top end fishfinders can run into the thousands of dollars and definitely have all of the bells and whistles to make it worthwhile. The average person just getting started will do quite fine with the Fishfinder 160C or another option that is not near as pricey as some of the other models can be. Just find one that includes the features that you are looking for, and you can always upgrade later as needed.
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