Posted: 6/20/2017 1:13:34 PM EDT
What's the latest and greatest in smaller fish finders? I have an inflatable pontoon boat I use from Creek Company, it looks a lot like this one:
Mostly used in the Outer Banks sound, sometimes on small lakes and ponds locally. I want to add a fish finder/scanning sonar. It would be nice to identify some of the channels and sand bars in the sound that keep shifting around. In the next year or two, I'm thinking about getting an ocean fishing kayak, so whatever I get now should be able to run somewhat deep if I end up a mile or so off shore. GPS plotting would be a nice option. Portable (battery power,) is fine, but I do run a trolling motor, so I have a 12V battery on board. What do you guys recommend? |
I've been doing this now. Calling out my own marks and drawing range cards for the bottom really sucks. 
Avg depth on the OBX sound is right around mark twain. |
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I run this one on my yak, Garmin Echo 301 DV has down view sonar for finding structure as well as the usual display. It's also low draw on the battery, I'd say run time is about 80 or so hours between charges on a sealed lead acid battery. http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy47/Gunslinger8O8/DSCF1640.jpg |
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Power draw the only reason? I also keep a monitor on the battery, and normally do all my main travel with the oars, TM only goes on once lines are in the water. Also, if you're considering side imaging, be aware that SI requires to craft to be moving at 3-4 mph. |
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It's a 3.5 inch, and it works great for the distance from my eyes that it is. Not like I'm on a big boat where the FF is feet away, and really it is a very clean display. Quoted:
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What's your opinion on that screen size? It seems a tad small. Not like I'm on a big boat where the FF is feet away, and really it is a very clean display. 
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Interference. Also, if you're considering side imaging, be aware that SI requires to craft to be moving at 3-4 mph. Quoted:
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Power draw the only reason? I also keep a monitor on the battery, and normally do all my main travel with the oars, TM only goes on once lines are in the water. Also, if you're considering side imaging, be aware that SI requires to craft to be moving at 3-4 mph. |
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If you just want a basic with GPS...
This one looks good for the price What about the down view stuff? I'm not sure if my little pontoon gets going at such break-neck speeds. And this is the battery I use on my kayak... Battery |
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Lowrance's side scanning technology has completely changed the way I approach a body of water.
The two best things in my boat are my HDS9 w/sidescan and my Xi5 and it's autopilot/anchor capabilities. I have friends with Helix's and they say the side scan is not great. |
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Lowrance's side scanning technology has completely changed the way I approach a body of water. The two best things in my boat are my HDS9 w/sidescan and my Xi5 and it's autopilot/anchor capabilities. I have friends with Helix's and they say the side scan is not great. |
