Recommendation for Portable GPS/Sonar

Post by **Ronadt** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:15 am

My dad & I are looking into replacing our 10+ year old fishfinder this year. Small problem in that we don't have a boat, so we need one that's portable to attach to our aluminum boat rental at the cottage. The lake has lots of areas that are max 15' depth, and drop offs up to 40'. We fish for bass, walleye, pike.

In the past, my dad had rigged up the transducer to a piece of fibreglass that we attached to the boat with C-clamps. Worked pretty well for us.

So I'm wondering if there are models that are truly portable. I feel that the one's that attach with suction cups might not hold fast when you're moving at a fair speed (wouldn't be that fast, though, with the 9.9 motor).

We're not opposed to buying a trolling motor along with it, as long as it is also portable. Or if anyone has found a jig that works well to attach the unit to the boat?

So, I'm looking for any advice you might have. We're hoping to get something like the Lowrance HDS5. Let me know if you need any other information to help with recommendations. Thanks in advance... I've found some great advice on this site.

Post by **Rhodes** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:45 pm

check out the X 67c by lowrance

very portable , great on batterys . excellent detail

works great for boat or ice fishing will work with a suction cup or homemade bracket

very happy with this unit

Rhodes

Post by **Rhodes** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:47 pm

I reread that you also are looking for a gps

the next model up is the x 68 which is the same unit with gps and mapping capabilities very nice unit as well only reason i went with x 67 is i have a good portable gps already

rhodes

Post by **Ronadt** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:59 pm

Thanks Rhodes. I'll go check it out.

Can anyone comment about the suction cups and whether they hold on well? Or do people without boats just make their own mount jig?

Post by **Wallyboss** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:32 am

If you use the suction cup just make sure that when you mount it to the boat to follow the installation instructions. And ot just put in anywhere. Find where the water comes out from under the boat the smoothest and then install it so that only half the transducer is below the bottom edge of the boat.

Post by **Tim Carmichael** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:10 am

Hello,

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 00_250-3-0

I picked up one of these at Bass Pro Shops many years ago. I removed my sonar after every trip. This is easy to put on and remove. I found it very sturdy and could run with it at full speed.

Tim

Post by **IanD** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:13 pm

Tim Carmichael wrote:Hello,

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 00_250-3-0

I picked up one of these at Bass Pro Shops many years ago. I removed my sonar after every trip. This is easy to put on and remove. I found it very sturdy and could run with it at full speed.

Tim

X2 on Tim's bracket. i have a couple of them hanging around my buddies fishing lodge and they see water almost every day. Work great.

Post by **Ronadt** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:48 pm

I like the look of that bracket. It really opens our options for the GPS to pretty much anything.

Thanks for the info!

Rona