I'm in search of an inexpensive, portable depth finder. After 22 years, my Humminbird Piranha Max 230 finally crapped out. Just looking for a basic depth finder. Something you might have in your basement or garage that still works, but you're like, "I should really sell this cuz I'm never gonna use it again." Let me know what ya got. Thanks.

I too had a PMax 230 that lasted almost a decade of canoe trips before dying. Then I started searching ebay and other places for other similar detectors....it took several months, but I found a 175 that works great and then a couple weeks later I found a another so I have a spare for trips with multiple canoes...

Sorry, can't sell you one, but just keep searching and one will likely pop up in the next several months for less than $100....maybe sooner...good luck!!

I'm in the same boat as PineKnot. Had my PMax 2?? get waterlogged last year and it died. Bought a new (to me) head unit on ebay, "as is", no refunds. I was fortunate it worked. I did make sure my old transducer worked with the new head unit.

Now one of the mounting bracket tabs (where the head unit tilts) broke, so I just prop the thing up. It's kind of a Frankenstein thing.

I looked on ebay for months and occasionally would something that might work. Not trying to discourage you - things are out there but infrquently.

I was at Cabelas the other day and looked at the new portable PMaxs. HEAVY. That battery must weigh 8#. I'm not portaging that in. And what would you plug it into to recharge it? (I know there are lightweight lithium batteries, but $$$.)

I'm glad that I'll probably get another 5 years out of my cobbled together unit. Not sure what I'll do when it dies again.

I was looking at the HawkEye Fish Trax finder in case I couldn't get my PMax working. It has all I need - temp and depth. We fish spring and relatively shallow. Looking for structure, not fish.

I came across this website a while back which lists the power draw of some of the older legacy Humminbird fish finders. It might be useful in selecting a suitable replacement:
Legacy Humminbird Fish Finder - Power Draw


Assuming you are looking for a B&W model to keep power draw to a minimum, you might also consider a Lowrance/Eagle model. X-4 and X-4 Pro were the last B&W models produced by Lowrance, but Lowrance produced a multitude of models that were very similar going back to their Eagle Cuda models: Eagle Cuda 300, Lowrance X50DS, Eagle Cuda 242. These units all have the same 240x160 resolution and similar if not identical specs. There were also several lower resolution models(X-37, X-47,Cuda 168,Cuda 128+more), but they all use the same transducer(HST-WSU). (These lower resolution units make good donar units for a spare transducer for the right price.)

Lowrance lists the power draw on these units at 170ma with the backlight off. This is a bit more than latest made Humminbird B&W models(230, 175), but still low power. Also, I am not sure if those are apples to apples comparisons on power consumption as they may have been tested differently.

As boats are traded and subsequently upgraded, these B&W units are often removed for a fancier color units with newer technology. Fortunately for us canoe fishermen, these units often end up on the used market. I have found there are typically two types of sellers. One seller lists the item at full retail or near retail price and you will see a lot of these types of listings. The other seller is one that just wants to get rid of the item and hopes to get a little bit for it. Obviously these sellers actually sell their items fairly quickly, so their listing won't last long. Be patient, but also be ready to message a seller if the unit you are looking for comes up for a good price.

Sometimes you will find a unit listed as just the head unit without the transducer. Often times you can pick these up for cheap. The catch of course is that you have to find a matching transducer, so this strategy may or may not save you money in the end.

Keep your eyes peeled, and good luck in your search!

I have the HawkEye Fish Trax; small, light, easy to use and inexpensive.