Forums59
Topics1,039,300
Posts13,962,498
Members144,197
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
#11536538
04/12/16 02:05 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 42
Tatorbones
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 42 |
I recently bought my first boat. It is a '94 bass tracker with a 40 hp Evinrude on it. The depth finder is sun faded and you can barely see it when the thing actually turns on. Looking at picking up another depth finder and nothing fancy, but my buddy keeps pressuring me into getting something nicer. How many of you just use a simple depth finder?
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536559
04/12/16 02:16 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,931
96speed
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,931 |
Depends on your definition of "fancy electronics." If you're fishing on new lakes with any regularity a GPS unit is invaluable. Side imaging has changed things dramatically as well. There are a lot of people out there with 12" screens mounted to their boat that they really don't know how to use or take advantage of. Doesn't make them bad or good but if you aren't going to put in the time to learn how to use these units (from research, time on the water, hiring a guide, etc) and money is tight I would look else where.
Female drivers = No survivors
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536564
04/12/16 02:21 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,885
04champ
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,885 |
I do not have side imaging, but I don't think I would ever own a boat without at least a 7" screen with GPS and good mapping
Pick up a used Gen 2 HDS-7 for $400 or so.
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536572
04/12/16 02:23 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,853
921 Phoenix
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,853 |
I am not sure they make a simple depth finder any more. LOL I would say it depends on what you want to use it for. I believe if you want to use it to just check depth them buy the cheapest you can. I think if you want to start fishing deeper water and find fish with the unit, or use it to check what is out to your side then look into a better unit. You can get by with a lot less then what most of us buy. I like the bigger units for their size and definition. I use mine more for finding deeper fish. just my .02
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536573
04/12/16 02:24 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,683
redskeet100
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,683 |
I wish I had side imaging or dwonscan or something fancy, but I only run standard graphs with gps. I have a Lowrance x35 at the bow and an Lowrance lms 332c at the console. I probably wouldn't know how to effectively read and use the fancy stuff anyway!!!
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: redskeet100]
#11536581
04/12/16 02:28 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,853
921 Phoenix
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,853 |
I wish I had side imaging or dwonscan or something fancy, but I only run standard graphs with gps. I have a Lowrance x35 at the bow and an Lowrance lms 332c at the console. I probably wouldn't know how to effectively read and use the fancy stuff anyway!!! The DI side by side with 2D sonar will help teach you what they are showing you. They are a great tool. You will be able to see if its a bush or ball of bail real quick.
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536596
04/12/16 02:32 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 42
Tatorbones
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 42 |
I will have to look into electronics. One of my pet peeves is to know how to use my equipment properly and to maximum capabilities. There are defiantly benefits to having good electronics on the boat. I just don't want to be over kill. There are ones out there with more capabilities then a swiss army knife.
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536624
04/12/16 02:44 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,853
921 Phoenix
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,853 |
I will have to look into electronics. One of my pet peeves is to know how to use my equipment properly and to maximum capabilities. There are defiantly benefits to having good electronics on the boat. I just don't want to be over kill. There are ones out there with more capabilities then a swiss army knife. I would suggest getting with someone that is very knowledgeable on fish finders and different brands. I do not know where you live but there is a guy at BPS in Rockwall that is very good and will take you out and teach you. Their is also a Guy on Fork that will do the same. I bring this up for this reason go out with them and see what theses graphs will do then buy the one with only the things you want. You can get some very good graphs in the 7" range for 700 dollar range and you can spent up to 5000,00 for some 15 inch graphs. LOL
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536629
04/12/16 02:46 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 12,449
JIM SR.
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 12,449 |
I have all the bells and whistles,..3 fish finders etc.. but the other day I was actually using my 'flasher' in 10 feet of water while trying to catch crappie. Pretty cool watching your jig and where the fish are...kinda like ice fishing...LOL
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536662
04/12/16 03:00 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 42
Tatorbones
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 42 |
I appreciate the heads up guys. There is a guy I know who does tournaments and uses some nice electronics. Might just have to tag along with him on a couple of days and see how he uses them.
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536672
04/12/16 03:03 PM
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,063
R.J.E.
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,063 |
You need to get three 12's at the console and 2 12's at the bow like that guy Rose has, L.O.L.
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536683
04/12/16 03:07 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340 |
I could live with a simple 2d sonar and in fact use it the majority of the time. GPS is a pretty useful feature but I really would not want to give up my SI. If you need a ff on your boat to begins with then you will definitely benefit from other features
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: 921 Phoenix]
#11536762
04/12/16 03:39 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 858
RL206
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 858 |
I am not sure they make a simple depth finder any more. LOL I would say it depends on what you want to use it for. I believe if you want to use it to just check depth them buy the cheapest you can. I think if you want to start fishing deeper water and find fish with the unit, or use it to check what is out to your side then look into a better unit. You can get by with a lot less then what most of us buy. I like the bigger units for their size and definition. I use mine more for finding deeper fish. just my .02 Vexilar makes a real time flasher
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536935
04/12/16 04:48 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 32
rtfishn
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 32 |
I use a flasher when I'm running, and a flasher when I drop the trolling motor
|
|
Re: Electronics, Who only uses a depth finder and not fancy electronics?
[Re: Tatorbones]
#11536944
04/12/16 04:52 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 42
Tatorbones
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 42 |
Is the flasher to ping for fish pretty much? Flashes when something swims by?
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|