When shopping for a fish finder, you will find hundreds of models from over a dozen manufacturers to choose from. You know they are all supposed to "find fish" and provide a depth measurement, but how do you know what type to get? This guide will explain the types of fish finders available today to help you make this decision.

Just like buying a new car, there is a huge variety and price range to choose from. The cheapest units come with the standard issue mounting bracket and transom mounting transducers. The LCD screens are understandably smaller than on a more expensive unit, but you get what you pay for. As with a car purchase, the more you pay, the better features and higher performance you get. With moderate priced units, you get a larger screen and better resolution, which allows you to see more detail and are easier to read. Many of these units include water temperature and speed features.

Moving up in cost, you will see the addition of color LCD screens, higher wattage units for added clarity and use in deeper water, and GPS. This last feature allows you to plot where you have been and indicate areas of high productivity, allowing you to return to any spot with pinpoint accuracy. GPS is also useful in plotting your course if you are not familiar with the body of water you are on, as well as getting you back home again.

There are also fish finders designed for ice fishing, suitable for use in extreme cold temperature where LCD screens are simply out of the question. These are called "flashers" and use the same technology, but are designed to withstand the cold.

As you can see, the choices may seem daunting. You need to consider your budget, when and where you will be using a fish finder, the type of boat you will be using, portability needs, and the amount of use they receive. A serious enthusiast will be able to take advantage of a high end unit, whereas an occasional fisherman may be able to get enough data from a cheaper unit to make owning it worthwhile.

Most people find that a larger and higher resolution screen and a more power are worth the modest increase in price. As is true with many purchases, spending a bit more initially may be worth it in the long run. On the flip side, spending over a thousand dollars or more on fancy Hummingbird fish finders for "weekend warriors" may be overkill. Fortunately, there are units in all price ranges, so be informed and make your decision wisely!