Fish finder/bottom map

[carlos515]

I have an old Lowrance Hook5. I would like to get a newer unit that is colour and a 7-inch screen. I was looking at Hummingbird or another Lowrance. Are they all the same? My use would be for navigating unfamiliar inland waters in Ontario, Canada.

 

[Chris1956]

The size and quality of the screen drives most of the cost of the FF units. You will want the largest display you can afford. The good news is that a lot of FF become discontinued (replaced by newer models), and have large discounts on them.

Garmin usually has built-in maps. You might see if the Ontario waters are included in the FF model you choose, or whether you will need to buy additional maps.

 

[dingbat]

Are they all the same? My use would be for navigating unfamiliar inland waters in Ontario, Canada.

No, they are not the same.

Garmin owns Navionics, but markets charts under their Garmin Navionics, Bluechart, LakeVu and Vision brands

Lowrance Supports C-map and Navionics charts.
Humminbird supports LakeMaster/CoastMaster (propriatray) and Navionics charts.

Garmin units typically comes with a set of preloaded charts. Plotter part number reflects which maps are included.

Lowrance and Humminbird typically come with just "base maps".

In the end, it comes down to cost and who has maps of the lakes your interested in.

 

[carlos515]

Thank you, I will see which maps are the best in cost wise with a unit. I have limited space for the FF, but I do not need the latest greatest. Last year's model is a good idea.

 

[airshot]

If you have any fishing clubs in your area, like Bass fishing guys, ask around as often these guys upgrade frequently and get new equipment from sponsors. Sometimes you can get their used stuff fairly cheap.

 

[Mc Tool]

Fwiw I have a lowrance hook reveal 2, 9" screen that came with c-map . Im real happy with it ,

 

[carlos515]

Fwiw I have a lowrance hook reveal 2, 9" screen that came with c-map . Im real happy with it ,

Thanks, I am leaning towards Lowrance, just figuring out how big of a screen.

 

[Mc Tool]

Thanks, I am leaning towards Lowrance, just figuring out how big of a screen.

I have had little screen ff's and trying to see it half way down the boat while its moving about.....agh . Big is better , specially if you use the split screen to view sonar and chart or side /down scan .
The only beef I have with mine is the screen is not active ....like not touch , you have to scroll thru using menu and navigation buttons .....just a pita after using touch screen smart phone keep stabbing at the screen and wondering why nothings happening

 

[dingbat]

The only beef I have with mine is the screen is not active ....like not touch , you have to scroll thru using menu and navigation buttons .....just a pita after using touch screen smart phone keep stabbing at the screen and wondering why nothings happening

I want nothing to do with a touchscreen on a boat.
Besides blood and guts all over the screen, trying to “touch” the correct entry in a pull down menu or hit the correct, tiny button while doing the Chesapeake waltz just suxs.

Don’t use touchscreens in the car either. Prefer dial/trackball setup

 

[carlos515]

Well, the project is finished. I ended up ordering a Hook2 9TS off eBay. I ordered a Navionic+ card for it.
Just need to get the transducer and the fish will fly into the boat

 

[airshot]

Well, the project is finished. I ended up ordering a Hook2 9TS off eBay. I ordered a Navionic+ card for it.
Just need to get the transducer and the fish will fly into the boat

It didn't come with a transducer ? I have the earlier model before it became the " hook"....once you figure out all the bells and whistles, your gonna love it!

 

[carlos515]

No transducer. I am looking at ordering, Lowrance Tripleshot 3-in-1 Skimmer Transom Mount Transducer - 000-14029-001. I think that is the right transducer for the unit.

 

[Mc Tool]

No transducer. I am looking at ordering, Lowrance Tripleshot 3-in-1 Skimmer Transom Mount Transducer - 000-14029-001. I think that is the right transducer for the unit.

Yep , thats the one I have but mine came with the headwork .
Have a look at how the transducer flips up ....it has a sort of ratchet thing around the mounting screw ( you can see it in your pic ) that is a bit naff . If you have it loose enough to flip up easily its not tight enough to hold it firmly when down and if its firm Im worried I'll snap it off when I fold it up out of the way .....you'll see what I mean , and it sticks out far enough you gotta watch you dont clout it with your knee if your standing at the back of your boat if you leave it down .
And putting the plug into the back of the unit requires a bit of effort coz its waterproof tight .....so dont be tempted to lube it up a bit because its also air tight and air trapped in the socket when you plug it in will push the plug back out if its to slippery ...I thought I was going nuts

 

[carlos515]

I have the HDI Skimmer Med/High CHIRP/DownScan-000-12570-001. It is 455/800Khz. Now it does not have side scan or 200Khz/CHIRP. But seems to be the same? If I bought the cable adapter, would this work? I was looking at the Tripleshot one also thinking I will end up breaking it also.

 

[Mc Tool]

Mine is triple shot , I was worried about breaking it off but once you have locked in your mind how much that would cost you ....surprising how aware of it you become . Id go for the ts ....now . I didnt think about it before buying it but I use the side and down scan all the time while trolling lake edges because most of the lakes round here are hydro power generating lakes that have had the level raised and there are lots of trees and logs to snag lures on round the edges . Apart from that its interesting to see whats about under you . I easily shows up shopping carts , bicycles and other stuff off the end of the jetty
As far as I know it works with both transducers and I didnt think you needed any adapter and the headwork knows not to show options that dont have the supporting transducer .

 

[dingbat]

I have the HDI Skimmer Med/High CHIRP/DownScan-000-12570-001. It is 455/800Khz. Now it does not have side scan or 200Khz/CHIRP. But seems to be the same? If I bought the cable adapter, would this work? I was looking at the Tripleshot one also thinking I will end up breaking it also.

I see Lowrance is still playing games with their CHIRP nomenclature….lol

What kind of fishing are you doing?
If freshwater, 455/800 kHz would not be my choice.

 

[carlos515]

I see Lowrance is still playing games with their CHIRP nomenclature….lol

What kind of fishing are you doing?
If freshwater, 455/800 kHz would not be my choice.

Freshwater. Just recreational fishing mostly. My son will be doing the most fishing. I am more into exploring unfamiliar lakes.
What frequency would you suggest?

 

[carlos515]

Freshwater. Just recreational fishing mostly. My son will be doing the most fishing. I am more into exploring unfamiliar lakes.
What frequency would you suggest?

To answer my own question, I will get the triple shot skimmer that Mc Tool had suggested. I need a 200Khz frequency along with my 455/800Khz according to AI.......and google...lol