zski wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2011 at 9:05pm:

Kingfisher wrote on Apr 23rd, 2011 at 11:49am: FWIW, I currently use a couple of Eagle Cuda units (242 and 300) for canoe tripping but seriously covet a color display model for my next locater. My only concern is the power consumption which is slightly more for the color units. Have you converted the 242 to AA? What's 242 battery consumption like?

Both the Eagle Cuda 242 and 300 are run on 8AA lithium batteries - I converted both. One set of lithiums could get me through a trip if I conserve locater use. I take at least two sets and sometimes 3 depending on how important fishing is for each trip. Overall performance of both locaters was improved when I upgraded to lithium batteries. To conserve power do not run the locater alot over really deep water. The unit will modulate power to output just what is needed to bounce off the bottom and back to the receiver. Batteries last longer fishing in 20 feet vs 200 feet. Also do not use the backlight. And do not forget to turn the unit off when not in use. I've blown a whole set of batteries by accidently leaving the unit on overnight.
Neither the Cuda 242 or the 300 default to backlight when turned on. Whatever settings were in use when the power was turned off will be those that display when the unit is turned back on again except for backlight which is always off after start up and needs to be turned on when needed.