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Click to enlargepad<b>Fishfinders Rated with Fishfinder-store.com unique copyrighted system.

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Review with the rating system to quickly get through the clutter associated with selecting a complex product

Review, Compare and Rate Fishfinders

Use this rating system to quickly sort through the clutter associated with selecting a complex product.

Here is how "Review, Compare and Rate" works:

Of all the calls we get the number one question is "Can you help me select the right fish finder?"

In this blog I want to give you some tips on how to select a fish finder. The process can be complex, so I hope this will help.

There are 5 factors to keep in mind when purchasing a fish finder.

1. Transducer

There are two basic types of transducers, single frequency and dual frequency. Single frequency should be used for lakes and shallow coastal fishing and dual frequency for deep sea. Dual beam (Humminbird) and dual frequency are basically the same thing. The dual beam transducer will limit the beam size for the high frequency beam so you only want to use them in deep water because the high frequency is what you see fish with.

2. Display resolution

Fish Finders and GPS units come in many different display resolutions. The higher the resolution the better the image will be. Color screens are better especially for direct sunlight because you can see them better.

3. Display size

Displays range in size from four inches to seven inches and larger. The larger the screen, the more you have to pay for them.

4. Power

For the most part the more power you can get the better. In lakes and shallow waters it is still important for better imaging, again, the more power the bigger the price tag.

5. Depth

The ability of the sonar to reach greater depths is directly related to power and quality of the transducer. The more you pay the better they will penetrate the water. Remember that the depths shown on the specifications are for clear water, saltwater and murky waters will limit the depths the sonar will penetrate.

Click on the "Compare by Price Range" link on the left menu bar (click on the sample above to see the rate meter detail). Once at the compare screen pick a price range to rate. Once you are at the list of fishfinders in that price range simply view the charts next to each fishfinder photo. You can move from finder to finder by using the back arrow on your browser.

The review rating works like this:

Each level on the chart represents a higher performance as demonstrated below.

Fifth - Best
Fourth - Better
Third bar - Good
Second bar - Avg
First bar Fair

Legend

Item Power Clarity Viewer Depth Xducer
1-FAIR 600 64 2.3 240 20
2-AVG 2000 128 3 800 24
3-GOOD 3200 160 4 1200 50
4-BETTER 4000 240 4.5 1500 60
5-BEST 4800 320 5 2000 90

Use the following chart to understand how to use the rating meter.

  1. The first item rated on the chart is the power the unit can utilize to find fish, generally speaking, the higher the number the better the fishfinder.
  2. The next item on the chart is the display rating. This is the pixel density of the unit, the higher the density, the better the image display.
  3. The third item is viewer rating. This is the size of the screen on the unit.
  4. The forth item is the depth the unit will operate at. The better the depth, the deeper you can use it.
  5. The fifth and last item is the xducer, or transducer. The higher the rating the better the transducer is that comes with the unit, (optional transducers are available for most units to help match the type of fishing and desired results).

See the write-up on how a fishfinder works for more information on what effect each "rated component" will have on your fishing experience.