Fishfinder for under 150 bucks?

The most affordable colour fishfinder ever introduced, the Lowrance Elite-3x is heading for the 2014 Sydney International Boat Show from July 31-August 4. Orders will be taken there and stock distributed forthwith, we're told.

The newest additions to the Elite family of fishfinder and chartplotter products, the budget-priced Elite-3x includes a dual-frequency 83/200 kHz Broadband Sounder transducer and features an LED-backlit display with detailed 240 x 360-pixel resolution that’s said to be easy to see in full sunlight from wide viewing angles.

Equipped with award-winning Lowrance Broadband Sounder technology, the Elite-3x allows anglers to quickly and easily identify fish targets, bottom contour, structure detail, bottom hardness, thermoclines and more. 

The selectable dual-frequency operation maximises the view beneath your boat, with a 83kHz sonar for up to 60 degrees of conical coverage, which is ideal for displaying large fish arches and searching large areas, while the 200kHz sonar provides up to 20 degrees of coverage for enhanced fish-target separation and lure-tracking — ideal for vertical presentations. 

The Lowrance Skimmer transducer, included with the Elite-3x, can track bottom at speeds up to 65 knots, and it features a built-in water temperature sensor.

Maximising fishing time by reducing the need to manually adjust settings, Lowrance’s Advanced Signal Processing (ASP) allows anglers to see fish, structure and bottom detail more clearly.

Easy to operate, the Elite-3x’s pages button allows users to quickly switch between 83kHz and 200kHz sonar frequency views, and dedicated quick keys allow anglers to zoom up to four times the standard view and focus on key fishing areas. 

The unit’s Fish I.D. feature displays fish icons instead of fish arches to help identify fish targets, and includes track and alarm options. The quick-release, tilt and swivel mounting bracket makes it easy to adjust the viewing angle or disconnect and the fishfinder for storage.

Protected by a one-year limited warranty and the Lowrance Advantage Service program, the Elite-3x can be purchased from authorised Lowrance dealers and distributors throughout the Asia Pacific region beginning in August 2014.

The Lowrance Elite-3x fishfinder is priced at $149 in Australia. For more information on the Lowrance Elite-3x, the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics or to locate an authorised Lowrance dealer, go to: www.lowrance.com.