I currently own an older portable Humminbird 200DX, and would like to replace it with something lighter and more packable. My current set-up requires two massive 12-volt batteries which isn't ideal for single portaging.

I would like packability, reliability, ease of assembly, and weight.

Can you guys shoot me some recommendations and rough prices?

Thanks!

Others with more experience will pipe in, but I got a Garmin Striker 4 this spring and have taken on two trips. It's my first, so I have no basis of comparison, but seems to do the job pretty well; I get a decent read of the bottom and see predator and bait fish. I did not go for the downview feature though - just wanted the basic and am glad to have the flasher for ice fishing.

Seems like which ever one you chose, converting the power to AA batteries would likely save some weight and volume. Mine runs on 8 lithiums in a small pelican case.

They don't get much love on this site, but I have a deeper sonar I love using for ice fishing. I borrowed the first gen deeper arm from a friend to mount it to the canoe. I was skeptical on how it would work, but it performed great!! It's small, lightweight, and battery for phone and deeper with one portable charger lasted me all week. I have a waterproof case for my phone, with a floatie. And attach a small caribeaner and rope to the canoe for reassurance that the deeper isn't going to the bottom of the lake if the arm fell off the canoe. It doesn't get much lighter and packable than this. Deeper itself about $200. Deeper arm (mount), think you can get a first gen for $50 or so resale. They have a new second gen arm that might perform better, think it's about $100. Great product, doesn't get enough love. PS it's also great when fishing with a slip bobber from shore. Cast out, find depth range, set slip bobber, and fish.

I went with a cheap Humminbird PiranhaMAX. Mine is the 180 which they don't have on their site anymore. I just checked and they sell the PiranhaMAX 4 for $99. That's the cheapest on the site you could go higher end if you'd like. I converted the power to use AA's. I got the case that holds 8 AA's in hindsight I kind of wish I'd have gone with the one that holds 10. Even though I've never ran out of power fairly heavy fishing on a 5 day trip being the longest I'd like the security. I found instructions on swapping the power source on this site.

I shoot through the hull of the canoe. I'm in the stern of the boat with the transducer typically underneath my seat in a small puddle of water. I rent so I don't have a permanent mount. I just have the mount duct taped to a metal spring clamp. I clamp on to the thwart in front of me. I use a jar gripper with a washcloth wrapped around to make the clamp connection tight and the gripper makes sure everything stays in place. There's much more professional looking setups out there. But this hasn't failed me yet.

The whole setup fits in a plastic grocery bag or a drawstring pack.

Check out the marcum showdown troller. Very light and packable as it runs off 6 AA batteries that plug directly into the unit. Has a vertical flasher screen so a little different than a traditional unit but it gives me depth and it’s very fun to vertical jig with.

Pretty sure it costs about $200.

I use a Humminbird Fishinbuddy 130, It basically looks like a rod with a screen on top. It comes with a heavy-duty plastic mount that you put on the side of the canoe. I really like and it shows depth and fish under your canoe. The good thing about it is that it uses 6 AA batteries and the battery life on it is pretty amazing. I don't think they make the 130 anymore but they do have the 140C which is the same thing but with color.

I read somewhere that the 140C drains the battery faster since the display is in color. One neat thing about the 130C is that it has a side view which shows if there is any fish on the side which was a plus for me. Not super portable because it's pretty awkward to stow it in your pack but I just slide it on the side of my Granite Gear Superior pack.

adibee: "I use a Humminbird Fishinbuddy 130, It basically looks like a rod with a screen on top. It comes with a heavy-duty plastic mount that you put on the side of the canoe. I really like and it shows depth and fish under your canoe. The good thing about it is that it uses 6 AA batteries and the battery life on it is pretty amazing. I don't think they make the 130 anymore but they do have the 140C which is the same thing but with color.


I read somewhere that the 140C drains the battery faster since the display is in color. One neat thing about the 130C is that it has a side view which shows if there is any fish on the side which was a plus for me. Not super portable because it's pretty awkward to stow it in your pack but I just slide it on the side of my Granite Gear Superior pack. "

+1
I love the battery life. It wobbles a bit when paddling but is great when drifting.

It probably doesn't check all your boxes but I do love my Helix 5. Works awesome out of a canoe. On a fishing heavy trip I'm more than willing to pack it in.

I use a piranhamax 175. Works well enough for what I need it to do. Some reviews here although I can't speak to their voracity or accuracy for that matter.

Dances with Sheep: "

adibee: "I use a Humminbird Fishinbuddy 130, It basically looks like a rod with a screen on top. It comes with a heavy-duty plastic mount that you put on the side of the canoe. I really like and it shows depth and fish under your canoe. The good thing about it is that it uses 6 AA batteries and the battery life on it is pretty amazing. I don't think they make the 130 anymore but they do have the 140C which is the same thing but with color.



I read somewhere that the 140C drains the battery faster since the display is in color. One neat thing about the 130C is that it has a side view which shows if there is any fish on the side which was a plus for me. Not super portable because it's pretty awkward to stow it in your pack but I just slide it on the side of my Granite Gear Superior pack. "

+1
I love the battery life. It wobbles a bit when paddling but is great when drifting."

Do you have the 130 or the 140C? What's your average battery life on your trip? Btw I keep the wobble to a minimum by using a makeshift flap :)