I know I've seen this topic befor, but iam having trouble geeting into archives. Which is more convient, or best, a stand alone depth finder, or a combination depth/fishfinder?
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fishfinder
Bill, I'm sure you will get a lot of different opinions on this, but I only recently fitted my old V21 with a Hummingbird fish finder. This one was a monochrome instead of color. It was very useful as a depth finder and I found it to be pretty accurate. It also had the advantage of showing any schools of fish, etc., even though I rarely fish these days. The only features that I couldn't use were the water temp and hull speed, since I installed the sensor inside the hull. If you have a good spot nearer to the bow or even amidships, the combination of fish finder/depth finder could be a good mix.
Bill, I'm sure you will get a lot of different opinions on this, but I only recently fitted my old V21 with a Hummingbird fish finder. This one was a monochrome instead of color. It was very useful as a depth finder and I found it to be pretty accurate. It also had the advantage of showing any schools of fish, etc., even though I rarely fish these days. The only features that I couldn't use were the water temp and hull speed, since I installed the sensor inside the hull. If you have a good spot nearer to the bow or even amidships, the combination of fish finder/depth finder could be a good mix.
Go fish...
Definitely get the fish finder for the following logical reasons: 1. Depth sounders only tell you the depth. Period. 2. Fish finders will not only tell you the depth, but with a little practice and tuning, it will tell you what kind of bottom you have for selecting the proper anchors, what kind of slope to the bottom is under your boat, if there are any trees, wrecks or other obstructions that might endanger your rode or boat at lower tide levels, and if you like to fish, if there are fish down there, and at how many feet. The limitation to most fish finders is maximum depth, compared to high end depth finders, but most people don't care beyond 500 ft. anyway.
Definitely get the fish finder for the following logical reasons: 1. Depth sounders only tell you the depth. Period. 2. Fish finders will not only tell you the depth, but with a little practice and tuning, it will tell you what kind of bottom you have for selecting the proper anchors, what kind of slope to the bottom is under your boat, if there are any trees, wrecks or other obstructions that might endanger your rode or boat at lower tide levels, and if you like to fish, if there are fish down there, and at how many feet. The limitation to most fish finders is maximum depth, compared to high end depth finders, but most people don't care beyond 500 ft. anyway.
Finder - accessory ready
My Humminbird has other optional accessories. I have a PC link for updates, barometer recording and hookup for my handheld GPS.
My Humminbird has other optional accessories. I have a PC link for updates, barometer recording and hookup for my handheld GPS.
I'd go with
the comined Fishfinder/GPS/ChartPlotter. For a few dollars more just as well have the most features. Humminbird came out with the 787C2 this year, take a look at it and the features before you decide. My '98 Max26X had the Humminbird 300TX with transom transducer that I'm replacing with the 787C2.
the comined Fishfinder/GPS/ChartPlotter. For a few dollars more just as well have the most features. Humminbird came out with the 787C2 this year, take a look at it and the features before you decide. My '98 Max26X had the Humminbird 300TX with transom transducer that I'm replacing with the 787C2.
Hummingbird 787c2, thanks
Thanks, that is the exact one that I have been looking at, I'll order it today.
Thanks, that is the exact one that I have been looking at, I'll order it today.
This can be the only problem....
Hi ya Bill...Only problem with combination FISH/DEPTH finder is that "beeping" sound when sailing. This occurs when the fish finder is on, I was advised that simply turn off the fish finder when sailing. Otherwise, I like the FISH/DEPTH combination quite well. Theyre great fun. I now turn off the fish finder when sailing. But if going very slow...I turn the fish finder on. The depth finder is always on...
Hi ya Bill...Only problem with combination FISH/DEPTH finder is that "beeping" sound when sailing. This occurs when the fish finder is on, I was advised that simply turn off the fish finder when sailing. Otherwise, I like the FISH/DEPTH combination quite well. Theyre great fun. I now turn off the fish finder when sailing. But if going very slow...I turn the fish finder on. The depth finder is always on...
GPS, depth, fish, etc
I have a Garmin 278C which works great. It has the charts (GPS) as well as depth, fishfinder, speed, and compass built in. I mounted it on the pedestal and remove it (plugs in) when I am not on the boat. it also has an anchor alarm which I have found to be really useful especially when you are anchoring in bad weather and you can set it to let you know when you move X number of feet. Good luck.
I have a Garmin 278C which works great. It has the charts (GPS) as well as depth, fishfinder, speed, and compass built in. I mounted it on the pedestal and remove it (plugs in) when I am not on the boat. it also has an anchor alarm which I have found to be really useful especially when you are anchoring in bad weather and you can set it to let you know when you move X number of feet. Good luck.
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