always have. old way to find the thermocline. mark the rope in 5 ft spots, record the temp on paper in graph form and it makes an "S" line showing you the thermocline. old school lowrance paper graph days.

color c lector doesnt show o2, another snake oil post.

I know the original "ComboCelector" model didn't do oxygen saturation - because I have one, and it is sitting on the counter as I type this. I don't think it has been out of the case in 20 years. The foam inside the cordura case has begun to disintegrate into a granular powder. I think I'll put a battery in it to see if it will work - it should be good for temperature at various depths, and I can check the temp. probe calibration at home using an accurate thermometer I trust.

It has a probe on the end of a cable with 3 sensors: pH, temperature, and "color" (There's a light sensor on the top portion of the probe.) The meter has a multi-position switch to select which parameter is being indicated. I believe this was the "premium model" for the product in that it could read those 3 parameters - another cheaper model did less, but I don't remember what it omitted.

I remember buying a thermometer that was enclosed in a plastic tube with holes in it and had a
string attached that you could lower it at different depths

Temp probes are less than 5 bucks. Suprised many never tried it, it was common years ago.

This one is a little pricey could buy a nice reel with what this cost

https://www.fishusa.com/Fish-Hawk-TD-Digital-AtDepth-Water-Temp-Gauge

Found this on amazon
Scout-a-Bout Bass Fish Finder 15 bux

The depth range is part of what makes that expensive. They are sending a recording device down - no need for a cable to a topside temperature probe (less expensive approach). For most freshwater fishing, we don't need temps very deep, so that device is overkill.

300 feet = 130 PSI, which is a LOT of pressure on that device. At such a depth, the water is working hard to get inside the case.

It was made for only a few years. Did not know o2 was not included any more.

https://www.nitroowners.com/threads/color-c-lector.66538/

Jim B
Well-Known Member
JoinedJan 30, 2002
Messages4,257
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Jan 10, 2006
#1
I have one, i have had it for years. It seems neat but i never really use it. If i had the one thay made for a few years with the o2 sensor on it i think i would use it more.

I think that poster was mistaken. I'm in the electronics industry, and have always followed such things, though I did not always buy. Measuring O2 saturation is so difficult that a "color-c-lector" that did would cost another $300 in addition for that feature. Over quite a period of time I monitored what it would cost to buy such an instrument (not just a fishing gimmick) and it was too expensive. Back in those days, $300 was a LOT of money.

Thought this thread was about water temps at different depths

Measuring dissolved O2 is a different story

I bought a camera and it has temp. dropped it down on falcon last year.

water temp was 5 degrees cooler than my boats reading at approx 5 feet down and it was within a degree or two at 35 feet down.

I could do this next time out again and see as my lakes are 78-80 in the am and 85-86 in the evening, but I wont be on my boat for a few weeks as its going in the shop for a repower.

also the camera was awesome. I was marking some fish on a ledge on falcon and dropped it down and a cat fish came up and checked it out, Ive forgotten I had the camera I should bust it out.

It has been so many decades since I had my Color-c-Lector in use I don't remember what the readings were like. So if I understand correctly, when you tried that on Falcon it dropped 5 degrees rather quickly, then only a couple more degrees on the way to 35 feet? That's interesting as my guess would have been more change. (not doubting you, just comparing with what I would have guessed.) If what you found is common, then that makes it harder to use temperature as a reason fish might be at a particular depth - it doesn't readily eliminate a lot of water.

yes exactly.. its been well over a year but for example my boat temp said 70 so that would be 70 at 14" below the surface. the temp 5-6 feet below the surface was 65 and it was within 1-2 degrees of 65 at 35 feet.

I twas not a color c lector I have no idea what that is. I used a camera that has a screen and it reads the depth shows a picture and temp etc.

I havent ever pulled out that camera any other day to see. I should do it and compare. Iowa lakes are mostly 3-1000 acres and some are only 7 feet deep while others are up to 20 feet deep in a few spots.