I'm looking for a portable, good quality, yet cheap fish finder. I only need sonar, not GPS. Also it should not run on a huge battery. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Ryan L
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I'm looking for a portable, good quality, yet cheap fish finder. I only need sonar, not GPS. Also it should not run on a huge battery. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Ryan L
Looked at Cabelas, their prices are out to lunch. Go check the CTC web page for fish finders and there's a few in around the $200 mark that will give you the basic info such as https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/l...ish+finder#srp Most of them can be powered by a 12 volt 12 amp gell cell and run for days.
Thanks for the reply. I hadn't thought of looking a CT.
Are there any that you know of that run on solar?
No, not off hand.
I'm going to CT today and I'll see what I think.
The Garmin Striker 4 is a decent unit that isn't really expensive. I have one for ice fishing.
You would be looking for a portable unit that runs on D-Cell batteries. The basic models will give you depth information and will show bottom profile but not the best for identifying fish. The thing about technology is that you are often left wanting more, so buy what you can afford. Let us know what you decide to go with.
I looked at the Garmin Striker 4 but on the box it didn't say what battery it runs on so I left it there.
Is the Garmin Striker 4 or the Lawrence Hook 2 better?
You can find some some side by side comparisons by doing a simple internet search. Things to consider: screen size, resolution, power source. Afterwards, consider additional features like gps, mapping, down imaging, side scan,etc. Think about how often that you will use it and why do you want one. Keep in mind that technology is evolving and many units go on sale because they are or, will be, discontinued.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan L
Buy the best unit that you can afford as often people cheap out and soon regret not having a unit with better features. It can be difficult unloading a used unit for what close to what you paid for.
I will only be using it several times a year so I don't need anything super good quality. I only want to be able to see the depth and if there are fish there. No bells or whistles.
I must be blind or something, but I can't find which battery the Garmin Striker 4 runs on. Could someone help me out please? Is it included with the unit?
From the Garmin Website: “A portable kit is available to protect and carry your STRIKER fishfinder with GPS, so it’s perfect for kayak, canoe or ice fishing. It includes a sealed, rechargeable battery with charger, built-in transducer cable management and storage and suction cup transducer mount and float.”Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan L
Check out the Garmin website and YouTube, all the info is out there.
Yes, but is the battery only with the portable kit or is it included if you buy only the unit w/o the kit?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Menard
The list for the bundle:
STRIKER 4
Dual-beam transducer
Tilt/swivel mount
Portable bag
Base/handle
Suction cup mount
Foam float
Kayak In-hull Transducer Mount
Power cable
Rechargeable battery
AC charger
Documentation
The list for only the unit:
STRIKER 4
Dual-beam transducer
Transom and trolling motor mounts
Tilt/swivel mount
Power cable
Documentation
It would seem like it doesn't, but that doesn't make a lot of sense imo...
If you buy "only the unit", you get a power cable that you connect to your own battery. Usually your boat has a 12 volt source. In this case, you need to purchase a 12 volt battery, any one you like. the higher the AH rating, the bigger the battery and longer run time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan L
Looking at the Hook 2 now; what is "bullet skimmer"? I no next to nothing about fishfinders, sorry. https://www.lowrance.com/lowrance/ty...season-pack-us
From the website you posted:
BULLET TRANSDUCER
Ideal for kayaks or small fishing boats with limited space at the console. The Bullet 4-inch displays include wide-angle Broadband Sounder. Bullet is available as a basic GPS plotter or a fish finder-only model.
I went to CT again today and got this: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/g...20striker4#srp. Leaving for Sportsman's Lodge (https://sportsmanslodge.net) on Monday. Hopefully get some nice bass!
I hope that you will be happy with your purchase. Although a fish finder can mark fish, it takes some experience in interpreting the size and species. What a unit does best is tell you the water depth and bottom hardness at that location. While moving, you will also get a better idea of the bottom structure e.g. humps, flats, drop offs. You should also see weeds and sunken trees. Knowledge and experience will teach you how fish relate to these features as each species has its own preferences.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan L
I suggest that you check out YouTube for tips on how to get the most out of your unit. Good luck on your trip!
Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Menard
Could someone help me out and post a pic of how to mount the sonar part to the side of the boat with the suction cup?
The directions aren't worth the paper they are printed and I don't know which way the sonar thinks is down or maybe it doesn't matter?
What kind of boat will you be using with your sonar unit?
Basically, you want to place the transducer under water on the transom and facing downward. In the case of an aluminum boat, the transducer is normally on the starboard side of the outboard motor. The bottom of the transducer should be even with the bottom of the boat while avoiding placing it directly behind the strakes. Too deep can cause excess spraying at speed (even dislodging), while too shallow will cause loss of readings at speed. Be sure to secure any loose transducer cable to the gunwale or rear cleat.
A small boat with an outboard.
My dad got a 19 inch smallmouth but I didn't get anything spectacular. That was good eatin'!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan L
So did your fish finder help at all?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan L
The boat we rented was equipped with one already, but it was the exact same model as the one purchased. It helped a lot as the lake bottom is very uneven. As for catching the fish, no. The lodge owner told where to go for that one ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by TroutSlayer
He also told us (when we were looking a the map of the lake again before we left for home) where to best walleye spots are. Maybe next time...
How do you know which frequency to use? Chirp 200 khz, Chirp 77 khz, 200 khz, or 77 khz? What is Chirp anyhow?