Gary Pender was nice enough to loan me a Hydrowave to do some testing. If your looking for one give him a call, he's as cheap as anyone out there on the Hydrowave. 512 250-9000
Here is a review I did of the Biosonix vs Hydrowave.
Biosonix VS Hydrowave
I know you cant buy the Biosonix anymore, but I thought it might be fun to compare the 2 units and see what has changed. As some of you know, KVD won the classic with both the Biosonix and the Hydrowave on the front of his boat.
Here are some of the specs of Biosonix
Fishermen know sound and vibration are important elements in fishing lures. Biosonix Systems has taken this concept to a new level with their BSX Fish Activator. The BSX unit allows fishermen to playback signature sound patterns of distressed prey species and attacking predator fish through a patented underwater speaker. It's this tackle box of sounds Kevin Van Dam used in claiming his Elite-50 title and his Bassmasters Classic Title in '05. Turn on the bite with the power on natural sound.
Reproduces the natural sound signatures of baitfish and the sounds of baitfish being attacked and eaten by predatory fish. Each sound is digitally recorded and played back via underwater speaker system. Preloaded with six proven sound signatures files. Sound files can be expanded with compact flash media cards (sold separately).
• * Can be mounted to Gunnell, Deck, or Dash
• * Gimble Mount Compatible
• * Includes SD card reader to download custom patterns designed by Prostaff
• * Short Descriptions of Sound Patterns can be viewed on screen to prevent having to refer to the user manual
• * Large View 5 x 5 LCD screen
• * 6 Custom Sound Pattern Options
• * 4 Preset Sound Patterns
• * 6 Preloaded SignatureSounds(tm)
• * Includes Underwater Speaker and mounting accessories
Here is a write up of the Hydrowave I find it interesting that they say it’s just as effective as the Biosonix.
HydroWave Fishing Sound Device
Simple to use, easier to install and just as effective as the former Biosonics unit. The HydroWave is the newest sound emitting device for anglers of all sorts. Kevin VanDam, part owner of the company, used it in his win at the 2011 Bassmaster Classic.
"Like most bass fishermen who spend a lot of time on the water, I’ve witnessed situations where a school could be fired up by getting just one fish to bite. Igniting those kinds of flurries during a tournament day can be a huge advantage. HydroWave is about providing that stimulus for that first response to get things going."
- Kevin VanDam, Owner HydroWave, LLC. and 6 time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year.
"Most electronics have way more choices than what a fisherman would ever need, much less remember how to use," said Jeff Kriet. "When fishing, I want to be able to push a button or two and get right back to casting. Trust me, HydroWave is built for simple operation."
- Jeff Kriet, Owner HydroWave, LLC. and Bassmaster Elite Series Professional.
Compact Design
One key to the HydroWave is its compact design. In today’s boat there is no room for bulky electronics. Space is valuable and the HydroWave was designed to take up as little as possible. At a mere 4”x4”s the space needed for mounting the HydroWave is minimal and will have no impact on the usable space on the deck.
User Friendly
Most marine electronics are filled with options the average fisherman will never use. The HydroWave is filled with functions that will catch fish, not fisherman. 5 primary push buttons control every function of the unit. Its ease of use will make it the least frustrating tool on your boat.
Mounting options
The HydroWave comes with two different mounting options. One is the typical bracket mount that easily mounts anywhere on your deck or console. The second mount is a high strength 3m Velcro mount that positions the unit flush to any surface.
Ease of Installation
Installation of the HydroWave is simply hooking up the unit to an accessory power source on your boat and plugging in the speaker. There are no complex electrical or mechanical installation requirements.
Pre Programmed Sounds
With the HydroWave there is no need to program sounds. All of the important sounds and sound loops are at your fingertips. Pick the pattern and hit play. Duration and delay can be selected along with a volume selection.
SD Card Slot
The HydroWave comes standard with an SD card slot to be later used with pre-programmed sounds. Additional proven sounds and sequences will become available for upgrade based on continued efforts of HydroWave’s scientist’s’ field data collection.
Impedance Free Speaker Operation
The HydroWave speaker is a true Omni Directional speaker. The sound is not impeded or distorted by the trolling motor housing or rotating propeller. The Omni Directional sound output truly disperses sound in an even pattern and wavelength no affected by the directional rotation of the trolling motor lower unit. Precision output is key and precision output is what the HydroWave speaker system delivers.
Frequency Amplification System
The HydroWave has a patented Frequency Amplification System that cannot be found in any other speaker system. Amplification is specifically targeted to the volumes and frequencies associated with Tactile Sound Transmission.
Water Proof Construction
The HydroWave unit is completely waterproof. The functionality of the HydroWave will not be affected by any elements, rain or shine.
Shock Resistant
The HydroWave is constructed with the most durable of components. Extensive field testing was conducted to ensure flawless operation throughout the toughest of conditions.
One Year Warranty
The HydroWave carries with it a 1 year limited warranty for product failure and manufacturing defects.
As far as comparing the units, the Biosonix has 6 different sounds, you can play them at various sound levels, for different lengths of times and pause between sounds. The menus aren’t laid out very well, and you really have to know what sounds, at what volume, and for how long for the water conditions you are fishing.
The Hydrowave has less functionality which is probably a good thing. You choose a sound loop to play and select how loud you want it to play. Of course you can advance to the next loop if so desired.
The sounds these units emit are real close to one another. The 4 different sounds are passive shad, fleeing shad, schooling shad, and frenzy shad. The Biosonix had 6 sounds and figuring out what to use could be tricky.
I have used the hydrowave at several different lakes, under different conditions and I believe that under certain conditions they do actually wake the fish up.
It’s almost like having that fancy new fishfinder with the side scan, you just have to spend the time and learn how to use all the tools in your boat to make our day that much more productive. I have learned that dirtier/ choppy water you want a little louder sound. Clearer less choppy water you would want a quieter sound since sound travels though water quite easily.
Do they work?
Well that’s up to you to decide. I personally think the sounds get the bait stirred up and nervous, which in turn gets the fish to perk up and possibly active to come chew on whatever you’re throwing. I believe they do actually give you a better chance at catching fish. I also think that if it gives you some confidence in what you are doing then go for it.
You have to be around fish to catch fish, using all the tools available to you in the boat will make you a more successful fisherman.
Edited by SkeeterLance (01/24/12 09:58 AM)
_________________________
Previous Topic
Index