Are BottomBuddy fish finders good?

[Home Wood]

I want to get a fish finder for this year and I like the picture display better than the flashing sonar type (if I refered to them correctly). I have never used any electronics for fishing before, so I would like something simple and easy to use. I like the type that seems to show the size of the fish and what depth they are at. I was thinking of getting the BottomBuddy from Cabelas. Are they any good? How about a fish finder that tells me the species of fish. Just Kidding!

[pymybob]

I had a bottom buddy that worked "alright" on the ice. It gave you accurate depth readings but it was a hassle to setup. Now, I did not use the "Ice" bracket that you can purchase separately for the Bottom Buddy, I just used a homemade contraption. It was cumbersome. Also, depending on the temperature, the batteries would not last very long. Always had to have a second set handy just in case. In a pinch it would work but I do not recommend it.

Last year I set up my eagle fishfinder to take on the ice and had mixed results as well. Needless to say, I bought my first Vexilar flasher and I will never look back. It is awesome. I've taken it to a local lake with docks and have been having a blast with it. I can't say enough good things about this unit.

[Home Wood]

From what I have read everybody likes Vexilars. How easy are they to set up and understand what they are reading? Do they take practice or is it just turn on and go?

[pymybob]

I think they are fairly easy to understand. Check this out:

http://www.vexilar.com/help/tips/tip013.html

& this one:

http://www.vexilar.com/help/tips/tip017.html

This will give you the basics on the Vexilar and how to go about reading it. I will tell you this though. If you get one and you fish a lot of water that is less than 15', you'll want to get the S-cable. Check it out here:

http://www.vexilar.com/help/tips/tip012.html

Vexilar makes a great product and there website is very informative too.

[Home Wood]

Well my fiance already bought the BottomBuddy for my birthday and it will be here next week, so I am just going to use that and maybe get a Vexilar for future winters. Hey, something is better than nothing.

[jigginstick]

Bottom Buddy is fine if you want to find the bottom, but if you want to find the fish get a Vexilar you will not be disappointed,

[oldken]

From what I have read everybody likes Vexilars. How easy are they to set up and understand what they are reading? Do they take practice or is it just turn on and go?

  i just ordered my second vexilar unit my other was one of the originals still works good but is making noise. would not think of going on ice without it. very simple to use turn on adjust gain and fish usually the gain is good on 6
old ken