Purchasing first fishfinder

[NateCCIE]

I am looking at buying my first fishfinder. I have a 1993 2550 SX Chaparral 25 foot cuddy with a Merc 502 Mag.<br /><br />So far I am likeing the Navman 4380. I has the fuel computer and the smartcraft technology to talk to the motor. I want water temp and speed. I also want it very easy to use.<br /><br />Is there other ones that I should be looking at?<br /><br />What kind of transducer should I look at? I would like it to work while on a plane going as fast as it's possible for these things to work.<br /><br />-Nate

 

[amirm]

Re: Purchasing first fishfinder

On your last question, the type of transducer is less important than where you mount it. If the transducer gets air bubbles around it, it will lose sight of the bottom.<br /><br />The only unit that I have seen do great in really bad situations is the new Raymarine digital fishfinders. The transducer on my powercat used to lose sight of the bottom easily with the boat on plane. Upgraded to DSM500 digital and its autorange/gain mode showed me the depth no matter what.<br /><br />The above unit is way too expensive for your needs. But I highly recommend that you look at their integrated units which retail much lower with display. The target resolution is superb in these new units beside the advantage above.<br /><br />The Raymarine transducers have both speed and temp so that is not an issue.<br /><br />Amir

 

[Boatist]

Re: Purchasing first fishfinder

Nate<br />I do not know the unit you are looking at or it price. Today almost all units are easy to use in automatic mode all you do is turn it on and it adjust everything. I have not herd of a unit that has a fuel computer and motor interface.<br /><br />How you are going to use the unit and where you will use the unit is most important in selecting a unit. <br />If you fish shallow fresh water (under 60 feet) then resolution, and power not important. You will want a unit with a 200 khz transducer. If you fish deeper water then Power and resolution become the most important. Very deep water and saltwater you will want at least 375 watts RMS or 3000 peak to peak. Also for deep water and saltwater you would want a dual frequency unit with both a 50 khz and 200 Khz transducer. I like Eagle or Lowrance units for shallow water, Lowrance for deep freshwater or shallow Saltwater, and Furuno for deep SaltWater (over 250 feet).<br /><br /> http://www.eaglegps.com/Products/products.htm <br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/default.asp

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Purchasing first fishfinder

The navman 4380 is a nice unit but it doesn't come with the fuel kit, only the software. You need to purchase the fuel kit seperately unless the selling agent is doing a special deal for you.<br /><br />It does have the speed and temp sensors.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[NateCCIE]

Re: Purchasing first fishfinder

So is transom mounted transducers the best bet? Through-hull best to stay awayfrom?

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Purchasing first fishfinder

Nate, I have a through hull transducer for my depthfinder and it is off by a few percent. In shallow water it really is a big deal. The reason for this is the transducer is mounted in the bilge on one side of the "V", thus it points at an angle to the bottom, not straight down. This could be a significant problem with a through-hull transducer.