02-11-2004, 01:15 AM
I have the buddy 2250. Its the only finder I have ever used and have only had it for 3 months. So my experience is rather narrow.
I have been very impressed with how sensative it is and able to see my jig move up and down at almost any depth. In less than 30 feet of water I use a gain setting of 2 or 3 with good results. When you jig up and down it looks like there are fish all over the screen but it goes up and down in a pattern and the fish size on the screen is small. When a real fish enters the screen it is larger size.
The portibiltiy is great and I am looking forward to using it on my tube this spring.
The C batteries have lasted me all winter so far (about 6-7 trips of 3-4 hours each). I often times turn on the display light to keep the LCD screen warmer so it operates faster (but uses more batteries).
On very cold days you will see the fish appear on the screen about 1 second after you feel it tap your jig just because the cold slows down the LCD display.
As DKS said the cone of the buddy is very narrow (9 deg) which is not the best for shallow water fishing (your not scanning a very large area) but great for deeper water application. Make sure you put your buddy either in the same hole or in a hole right next to your fishing hole (preferred) so that you are scanning the water area your jig is in.
Another nice feature not mentioned here yet is the side scanner feature of the buddy which most other units don't have. sometimes my bro and I set up 15-20 feet apart and I point the sidefinder at his hole and then can watch fish down my hole and and also mark fish as they approach his hole and give him the head up and get ready.
Its a simple unit to use and learn for beginners.
F4F had a good point about it not scanning fish laying right on the bottom but if you are in Bottom mode (B in top right corner of screen) it helps this somewhat but you can definetely watch the bottom conture change and ridges appear as fish move in right on the bottom. You just need to know what your looking for.
For what it is worth I like mine but its the only one I have ever used. I would really like to see a vexilar in action soon. PM if you have specific questions
Bigcat
[signature]
I have been very impressed with how sensative it is and able to see my jig move up and down at almost any depth. In less than 30 feet of water I use a gain setting of 2 or 3 with good results. When you jig up and down it looks like there are fish all over the screen but it goes up and down in a pattern and the fish size on the screen is small. When a real fish enters the screen it is larger size.
The portibiltiy is great and I am looking forward to using it on my tube this spring.
The C batteries have lasted me all winter so far (about 6-7 trips of 3-4 hours each). I often times turn on the display light to keep the LCD screen warmer so it operates faster (but uses more batteries).
On very cold days you will see the fish appear on the screen about 1 second after you feel it tap your jig just because the cold slows down the LCD display.
As DKS said the cone of the buddy is very narrow (9 deg) which is not the best for shallow water fishing (your not scanning a very large area) but great for deeper water application. Make sure you put your buddy either in the same hole or in a hole right next to your fishing hole (preferred) so that you are scanning the water area your jig is in.
Another nice feature not mentioned here yet is the side scanner feature of the buddy which most other units don't have. sometimes my bro and I set up 15-20 feet apart and I point the sidefinder at his hole and then can watch fish down my hole and and also mark fish as they approach his hole and give him the head up and get ready.
Its a simple unit to use and learn for beginners.
F4F had a good point about it not scanning fish laying right on the bottom but if you are in Bottom mode (B in top right corner of screen) it helps this somewhat but you can definetely watch the bottom conture change and ridges appear as fish move in right on the bottom. You just need to know what your looking for.
For what it is worth I like mine but its the only one I have ever used. I would really like to see a vexilar in action soon. PM if you have specific questions
Bigcat
[signature]