Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

[ungodly]

Several neighbors in my area have suggested that going out into our river and bay area would be insane without a depth reading (lots of mud, shallows, shoals). As I'm browsing through the WestMarine catalog, I'm trying to figure out why I would spend $150-$250 for a depth sounder, when I can buy a fish finder that will give me water depth with a shallow alarm for around $125... Is there some disadvantage to using a fish finder for depth? Not incidentally, we're talking about having to navigate through 2.5-3' of water in some places. Does anyone have any insight on using fishfinders for shallow depths? Also, FYI: I don't particularly care about the fish.<br />Thanks, Rich

 

[JB]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

Hey, Ungodly.<br /><br />Someone will probably contradict me, but, to me, sonar is sonar. I have always used one unit for both.<br /><br />Eagle has a good, inexpensive unit for under $100..<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Allen Henry]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

Ungodly,<br /><br />I agree with jb. I also have an eagle and it has a feature to turn off the fish locator and just display the depth reading. Works great!<br /><br />TRP251

 

[crab bait]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

no contadict ,here...<br />could never understand ( really) why 'depth finders' cost so much & don't have all the stuff 'finders' offer..<br /><br />heck ,,, you just mite take up fishin'<br /><br />GOOD LUCK...

 

[Red Rider]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

Depth finders (flashers) show depth changes immediately.<br /><br />Fish finders (chart) are much slower to show changes.<br /><br />Of course at 50mph in shallow water, it doesnt matter. But for one who isn't that insane it can mean the difference between planning and crawling.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

I've used flashers and they work fine for giving depth readings. You can also use them to find bottom contours/drop offs. I currently have an inexpensive fishfinder (came with the boat), and it provides a picture of the bottom -- which is nice. You can more easily "see" contours as you pass over them. It's fun to spot fish (or rather some kind of objects between the boat and the bottom -- not sure fishfinders do very well at distinguishing), but the blips on a flasher do the same thing.<br /><br />I guess I would go with the flasher or one of the inexpensive fish finders.

 

[kev_alaska]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

Red Rider is correct. Make sure that the speed that you are traveling is consistant with whichever unit you choose. Pure fish finders are sometimes too slow to react and sound a shallow water alarm if you are traveling at even moderate speeds.

 

[flashback]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

when I got my boat, it didn.t have a depth or speed indicator, so I picked up a raymarine fishfinder and have to say that it works quite well if I keep the speed down. anything over about 25 mph. and the depth reading gets lost quite often.

 

[ungodly]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

I'd like to thank everyone for all of their input... Specifically, I was interested in the fact that depth finders react much more quickly. However, the main use will be in the 'no' and 'minimum' wake areas getting out to the bay; I decided to go with the fishfinder. I ended up with a Piranha 4 (Humminbird). I looked around but couldn't find the Eagle models locally. The Piranha seemed like a good compromise of features and price. Now all I have to do is figure out how to drill transducer holes and then caulk them on a transom that is already in the water! <br />Thanks again! Rich

 

[crab bait]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

we all forgot to say ...<br />DON'T GET A HUMMINGBIRD ...!!!!<br /><br />BELIEVE ME IF YOU EVER BELIEVED ANYTHING BEFORE...<br /><br />take it back and find a eagle....

 

[SB]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

Why?

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

SB, I seen hundreds of fishfinders and depthfinders and sonars and others on boats, and have never known anyone to use a Humminbird unit for over a year without having problems with it. Myself included, I've had two different ones over the years. The good ones that I have personally owned have been Bottom Line, Raytheon, Lowrance and Garmin, in various price ranges and styles.<br /><br />I know this sounds strong, but I would go without a fish/depthfinder before I would drill holes in my boat to install a humminbird unit.

 

[rwjacobs]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

this post might turn into something different now, but I have a hummingbird for 5 years(cheapest model) and have used it without any problems. This is the first time I hear about problems with them?!?<br /><br />Hans007

 

[Cast-Away]

Re: Fishfinder vs. Depth sounder

Humminbird is terrible! I bought a new boat last fall that came with a Humminbird and could not get it to work over 20 mph. I changed it's position in relation to the keels, I put a block of plastic on the back to move it away from the hull, I moved it up and down and nothing worked. All of these suggestions were recommendations from Humminbird. They were quite familiar with the problem. I finally switched it with my old Eagle that was on the trolling motor. It works at any speed! The Eagle has an anquadynamically shaped transducer. The Humminbird has a flat bottom transducer which ends up with bubbles underneith it at medium speed. Return it if you can. Eagle is also sold under the name Lowrance. Save yourself some grief.