Basic Depth Sounder - Recommendations

[tpenfield]

Greetings,

The OEM depth sounder seems to have failed over the past few years, and it may be time to get a new one. I have been searching for the basic thru-hull transponder & gauge kit, but it seems like the products have moved away from basic to multi-function. Not lloking to spend a bunch of $$$. Just something basic.

It looks like Hawkeye, Faria, and HumminBird are the most prevalent lower cost offerings, but I see I'm not sure they will work on a 20˚ hull. I did have an older Hawkeye until, but the specs were below 20˚ hull. So, I was hesitant to use it.

Recommendations, thoughts? TIA

 

[alldodge]

I need to replace the digital Lowrance 2500 and many are using the 3500. Then others use the 3800. The issue is no thru hull transducer.

I keep thinking about getting one and use rtv to glue it to the inside of the hull instead of hanging it off the stern. My Garmin chart plotter comes with similar depth transducer but I just have it tie-wrapped to the trim cylinder because the digital still works on the cruiser

As before I wouldn't touch Hawkeye again

 

[dingbat]

Dont take this the wrong way but....other than filling a hole in the dash, what purpose does a depth gauge serve in a post, paper chart world?

Back in the days before deadrise compensated transducers where readily available, you cut the top off a paper cup at the appropriate angle and glue (attached) it to the hull. Fill cup with 30 minute epoxy and let harden. Wala....20 degree compensator.

 

[tpenfield]

Thanks for the input so far.

Yes, it does nice fill a whole in the dash and I do have a tansom mounted depth sensor w/ my GPS.

The OEM unit is a Lowrance 3500. 25 years old, and at one point it was superseded by the 3800, but that seems to be no longer

My GPS depth sounder is fine for slow going and lower depth, but does not seem to work at speed. The lowrance in its day worked well in most conditions . . . Going on their website, it seems like everyone wants to find fish and not really concerned about depth.

If I were to go with a Lowrance solution, it looks like I have to mix & match gauge and sender/transponder . . . Too many things going on to try to figure it all out.

So, what would have replaced the Lowrance 3800 ???

 

[tpenfield]

Update . . .

My bad, I did find a Lowrance LST-3800 unit on their website. Looks like it is a transom mount transducer. Not sure if that is a better route than a thru-hull transducer.

Looks like it is sold-out NLA in a lot of places . . .

 

[dingbat]

My GPS depth sounder is fine for slow going and lower depth, but does not seem to work at speed.

There is no reason the gps sounder doesn’t work at speed other than installation issue.

I think you’ll find people don’t care as much about fish finding function as they do a graphical representation of the bottom below them

Today’s transducers and large screen displays are light years ahead of where they where 5 years ago, let alone “back in the day”. Photographic quality images of the water column are now pretty much the norm even in low cost units these days

It’s a lot easier to comprehend the world below watching a graphical display of the bottom than watching the numbers on the 4 charactor display go up and down

 

[alldodge]

I like a fast digital read out when pulling into a new cove

 

[tpenfield]

I did find a Faria unit with in-hull transducer that is spec'd to work up to 22˚ deadrise hulls. So, I'm getting closer.

 

[tpenfield]

Update . . .

As much as I was hoping to find/get a Lowrance unit . . . I ordered a Faria 'Euro' Black (kit #12851) . . . comes with "in-hull" transducer and is spec'd to 22˚ of deadrise. (all I needed is 20˚)

I really did not want to open up a hole in the hull (Thru-hull transducer) or drill into the transom (Transom mount). My plan is to leave the thru-hull from the lowrance in place and just add the Faria in a convenient/optimum location.

 

[alldodge]

Not bad, Seams the only manufacture with a shot thru hull, and under 200 (Carid) isn't bad either
Thanks, need one for my Rinker

 

[tpenfield]

Quick update. . .
The Faria/Beede depth sounder seems to be working well. Just have to figure out how to use the settings