Question about Transducers(?)

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rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,947
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Hey All

I'm hoping someone here can answer this question (and I'm sure there is :D )

I see A LOT of used depth finders on eBay.... usually goes like this....

"I just replaced my depth finder with a new (fill in blank) and now my (fill in blank) is for sale. This unit works great etc etc..."

and someplace in the add you see....


TRANSDUCER AND POWER CABLE NOT INCLUDED!

So here is my first question..

1) Is this code for.... This unit is stolen off of someones boat?

I'm thinking that if I replaced my depth finder I'd install the new transducer and use the power cable that came with my new unit... otherwise, why replace a perfectly good unit?

If that is the case I'm not inclined to participate in black market trade.

and if I'm missing something and there is a good reason why someone might sell a good working depth finder... sans transducer...



2) Can you use any generic transducer? Where would I buy a "universal" transducer that would work on one of these units? Is it worth it? ($) to buy a new transducer separate and put it on a used readout device?

Thanks

r
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,947
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Thanks Steve

I looked at the airmartech site. I'm still not sure I could figure out which transducer I'd need to buy... is there a way to find that info?

r
 
Warren Milberg

Warren Milberg

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Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
My advice would be to stay away from used depth sounders any where you see them. Aside from the possibility of being stolen, I'm not quite sure why anyone would replace a depth sounder "that works just great."
 
A

alexco38

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Sep 25, 2008
1,096
CS 30 Toronto
Transducer

Actually, there is little incentive to steal a depth sounder. It's probably the cheapest unit for a boat.

I had a NAVMAN D3100 but the display gone bad. They have a bad problem with loosing LCD segments on the display. I had it replaced under warranted therefore there is no need to replace the transducer.

As it turn out (most) transducers were made by Airmar. They pretty much use the same frequency (ultra-sound). I tested a Raymarine with my transducer and it worked.
 
kenn

kenn

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Apr 18, 2009
1,271
CL Sandpiper 565 Toronto
rgranger said:
...
TRANSDUCER AND POWER CABLE NOT INCLUDED!
1) Is this code for.... This unit is stolen off of someones boat?
Click to expand
Not necessarily. Units on ebay come from all sorts of sources - estate lots (eg Grandad's junk box), boat salvage and parting out, yard sale, flea market, etc. The sort of yachter who'd replace a working instrument probably wouldn't go to the trouble of selling the old one on ebay. ;)

rgranger said:
2) Can you use any generic transducer? Where would I buy a "universal" transducer that would work on one of these units? Is it worth it? ($) to buy a new transducer separate and put it on a used readout device?
Click to expand
The manufacturer of any decent depth instrument will happily tell you what transducer(s) will work. If you're so inclined you can try to find out the frequency and impedance of specific instruments and select transducers based on that...but in your shoes I wouldn't bother with used instruments.

We have a small boat like you, and a few years back my lovely wife gifted me with a Raymarine ST-40 depth instrument (with Airmar transducer) so that's what we've got, but if I had to do it from scratch, I would buy a new "fishfinder" sort of depth instrument. They're available at MANY places for between $100 and $200, with transducer, and you get a warranty.

Most of the transducers have no problem "shooting" through a solid hull, if you make a small water or oil tank.
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,947
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Thanks guys....

I really appreciate you taking the time to clue me in on this segment of the used boat world market.

And Kenn... I think your advice is solid. On a previous boat I used to have a Cuda Eagle (something or other) that was both a GPS unit and Fishfinder all in one. Man that was nice. Especially where space is such a premium (like our small boats).

At the moment I have a hand held GPS and I use my keel as the depth finder:eek:
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
rgranger said:
TRANSDUCER AND POWER CABLE NOT INCLUDED!

So here is my first question..

1) Is this code for.... This unit is stolen off of someones boat?
Click to expand
It is probably code for "Some hack installed the transducer with 3M 5200 and we destroyed it getting it out."..;)
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
rgranger said:
Thanks Steve

I looked at the airmartech site. I'm still not sure I could figure out which transducer I'd need to buy... is there a way to find that info?

r
Click to expand
A friend of mine got his transducers for his Raymarine stuff through them. I think if you call they can help you out.
 
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