Fishing can be a tranquil sport, just you with a pole and all the time in the world. Sometimes you don’t even care if the fish are biting. But the rest of the time you probably want to catch something, and for that there is a nifty little device called a fishfinder. Sure, these devices have been around for more than a decade, but Garmin International has announced its new echo series line of standalone fishfinders that raises the standard for finding the fish.
This line includes devices for all pricepoints as well, from the economical 8-level grayscale unit to the full array models that do everything but cast off for you. The top-of-the-line models include Garmin HD-ID target tracking technology.
The premier high resolution echo 550C offers state-of-the-art technology that almost makes it unsporting (and we mean that in a good way). This unit features an ultra-sharp video-quality 640×480 pixel 5-inch VGA screen, a powerful 500-watt sonar transmitter, and offers excellent fish arch display and bottom tracking as deep as 1,900 feet. The echo 550c is dual beam (200/77 kHz) capable and gives optimum deep or shallow water performance with up to 120 degrees of effective fish scanning area. The step down model echo 500C boasts the same aforementioned premium features, and offers a crisp 256-color QVGA display which gives 320×234-pixel resolution for extra-sharp detail on fish returns, structure and bottom soundings.
And being on a budget doesn’t mean having to sacrifice quality either, as the Garmin echo 300c still provides a color sonar option, and HD-ID tracking technology with a 3.5-inch TFT display. The echo 300c is the first in its class to offer dual-frequency compatibility that lets you optimize performance for deep or shallow water. The 300-watt RMS sounder can scan as deep as 1,500 feet with up to 120 degrees of viewing angle to see targets fish well beyond the sides of your boat.
The company is also introducing three fishfinder models with grayscale displays, including the echo 200 with a 5-inch screen, a 300-watt RMS sounder, and can scan to depths of up to 1,500 feet; the echo 1500, which can scan to 1,300 feet and features a 4-inch, 8-level grayscale display; and the echo 100, a single-beam sonar with a 4-inch grayscale display, and gives you up to 600 feet of scanning, good for shallow lakes and streams.
“The new echo generation is Garmin’s return to the freshwater market,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “We’ve significantly increased the power and improved the performance so that with every echo, you can count on clear, concise fish targeting and bottom tracking.”
Each system includes a trolling motor transducer mount, and all six models come with a quick-release mount with tilt and swivel included – 5-inch models include a quick-disconnect cable management system. Manufacturers suggested retail prices are as follows: $449.00 for the echo 550c; $349.99 for the echo 500c; $219.99 for the echo 300c; $159.99 for the echo 200; $99.99 for the echo 150; and $79.99 for the echo 100.
Garmin also announced that nine time F.L.W. Tour Championship qualifier, and long-time Garmin-sponsored pro, Scott Martin, will be the face of the new “I’ll echo that” campaign that will kick off in 2011.