Cheap fish finders are normally priced much lower than the rod that you hold. However, are they really worth the extra investment, or should you wait until you can afford a better one? If you are completely new to using fish finders you will quickly discover that the many of the same features on cheap fish finders are also the more expensive ones.
However, you shouldn’t purchase a fish finder until you are aware of what you will get. This is why careful research and consideration of other options is important with any buying decision. On this page we will break down why you should and shouldn’t consider purchasing one of the cheap fish finders.
Why You Should Consider Cheap Fish Finders
Affordable fish finders can be found from many different brands and manufacturers. The most attractive thing about them is the price tag and the features that they provide. After all, the traditional method of fishing requires you to have knowledge of feeding times and careful strategy. This is why many people might view a fish finder as an unnecessary luxury.
They Have Most Basic Functions
A typical cheap fish finder will come with the basic features that you expect. This includes a screen, the ability to get an idea of where the fish are, and being able to get a view where your eyes simply cannot see. Here are some of the features you should expect
- A small black and white screen.
- Depth reaching down to about 100 feet.
- SONAR capability.
- Portable and lightweight.
If you simply want a little bit of assistance, a cheap fish finder will be adequate. However, keep in mind that they aren’t always completely accurate. For example, they can mistake vegetation as a school of fish, only measure small areas, and can be hard to tweak the settings.
Why You Shouldn’t Consider Cheap Fish Finders
Getting the best fish finder is something that you should consider if you have the extra money to spend. This is especially true if you are serious about fishing. Whether you fish for food, or simply recreational activity, a fish finder can prove to be a worthy asset. However, keep in mind that no tool will help you become a better fisherman. There is also a lot of skill involved in this hobby.
Better Accuracy
The more money you spend, the better technology you typically receive in a fish finder. One of these features comes in the accuracy of the readings. For example, a cheap fish finder will display a fish on the screen, with no estimate of where it is moving, and it can even mistake several fish as being one fish. It can even mistake vegetation and rocks as being fish.
The arch readings of a more advanced fish finder provide a better picture of what the SONAR technology is picking up, instead of giving you a simple fish icon on the screen. After all, what matters most is what you perceive the readings as, and not what the computer does. The denser the reading is, the more likely it is a solid object that you don’t want to place your hook near.
Color Screen and Readings
Color screens and readings provide a much easier experience. With them, you can usually zoom in to see what the SONAR is reading and decide where to place your hook strategically. A color screen will give you a nice range of colors which give you an estimate of where the fish was at the time of the reading, and where it might be going.
Normally, you will also receive a bigger screen when you invest a little more money. With a bigger screen comes the ability to read the information a lot more easily. It also let’s you take advantage of fancier features such 3D SONAR, and the ability to tweak your settings to fine-tune each reading.
GPS and Networking Functionality
Every fisherman knows that it can be easy to get lost in the river or lake after you spend a great deal of time enjoying the moment and excellent experience that fishing provides. With GPS capability, you will be able to track your location and route to locations which you want to fish.
You will also most likely receive networking features with a more expensive fish finder. This is a great tool which allows multiple fishermen to work together and share their data. If you like to fish with a friend, you both will be able to work the water much more efficiently with this feature.
Cheap Fish Finders – Should I Buy One?
At the end of the day, you are the person who should decide which product will serve your needs the best, and how much money you should spend on it. Although you should keep the above factors and features in mind while you decide whether or not to get a cheap fish finder, the choice is yours.