ok guys and gals narrowed my choices to 2 models pf portable depth finders. the eagle cuda 300 with suction cup transducer ( tom i know what you are thinking it will be tied off this time if i go with this model.  ) with 12 volt 8 amp battery and charger

                                 OR

hummingbird fishing buddy 130 portable this one has side sonar but is more expensive and looks to be a discontinued model. ( can get it out of cabelas bargain barn.  ) it runs off of aa batteries . its transducer also does not attatch to the boat but sets in a tube hanging below the boat. this kinda scares me because i like to fish reelfoot lake  and im thinking 1

 hit on one of them there stumps would trash it.

 

so whats it gonna be the eagle or hummingbird, i really value you alls input so dont be shy tell me what you think. also any other options you might think of. just remember since i fish only out of rented boats it has to be easily mounted and dismounted to move from boat to boat. also price  is an issue so the lesser expensive options are the best. best option is cabelas where i have a coupon and gift cards to use . so jump in and let me know  thanks duckman

 

duckman st louis mo

Duckman: I was looking at a Fishin' Buddy(now part of Hummingbird) but got talked out of it by a couple of buddies who had bad experiences with the unit either getting damaged or knocked off the boat due to a collision with debris. I have an OLD Eagle Magna that runs on 8 D cells(about 25 hrs run time if you lay off the back light) and I rigged up a 12 volt power cord with clips. I run it off the trolling motor bat, with no interference. I think Eagle has a color 'Cuda that you might want to consider-the color screen is s big improvement in daylight visibility. If you still have my email, drop me a line and I'll go into more detail. If not, just PM me and I'll get back to you. Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

I've got an older fishing buddy, maybe 5 or 6 years old now, and I think it works pretty well. I have never hit it on anything. You can adjust the shaft up or down some. I think mine runs off 4 c batteries and I dont remember what I paid for it.
NAFC LIFER 2001,NAHC LIFER 2005