Up on Kayak Gear Guru, some real thoughts on the YA Cell Blok. Looking for a no drill fish finder install? This might be it. (If you don't have a Ride 115X).

http://www.kayakgearguru.com/2014/04/the-cell-blok-from-yakattack.html

I just bought one myself and rigged it up this weekend with a transducer arm from Yak Attack! It looks very convenient and versatile. I think Im gonna like it. I'll post a picture of my set up in a few

Here are some pictures of my set up so far. I have not finished stowing the line all the way yet but im liking it so far.

I'm considering getting one. Your review helped a lot. Do you find the battery weight sitting on the gunnel is a problem, or not?

i like them but what happens if your turtle with the battery in it. they arent waterproof are they? they look convient and pretty but i still like my waterproof box.

Being that I have not put mine out in the water yet, I have also wondered this but Im glad my fishfinder is water proof, I can just buy another battery if that happens. But i wish it was water proof or a way to water proof the box DIY style or something.

Typically, the 7 amp/hour batteries are sealed. The have a gas valve, but it wouldn't let water in unless the battery sank to considerable depth.

Thats good news to hear!!! Well it does say Sealed Lead battery!! Duh!! Why didnt I think about that!

Looks good! Pretty easy install huh?

Only when picking the kayak up to put a cart under it. I had to compensate a touch. On the water, no issues.

Good info Artie. Thanks for chiming in. Typically a turtle would only submerge the battery in the water for 10 seconds or less if at all. I've seen a lot of kayaks stay upright once the maldistributed weight has left its deck (once you fall off of it).

very easy indeed!

Good honest review Chris. Great to see someone giving a real-life assessment - good and bad - vs. the typical hyped-up "u gotta have it - it's perfect" pitch so many give. I believe that is one element of what will make the Gear Guru successful.

A sealed battery is great for keeping the battery acids sealed in BUT, if that battery is submerged the terminals are then shorted together by the water and damage to both the battery and/or the devices attached can occur. Make sure you always have your devices fused to avoid damage!
This is an awesome product but as stated it is not a sealed battery box.

+1 the battery will short once the water touches both termenals causing internal issues if left under to long.

+1

Thanks for the clarification. My newbness is coming out today!! lol Also When you say fusing the device to avoid damage, can you clarify about what you mean so I can correctly do this. Maybe you are talking about a inline watertight connection?

Yes sir. Make sure each device has an inline fuse meeting the manufacturers specs. Most come with one in a waterproof fuse holder.

Good review Chris. I almost pulled the trigger on this as well. The concept of an all in one package intrigued me. But after some careful thought and some feedback I received from you guys here, I decided to pass on it and keep the battery box under the hull. Safer, minimal, out of the way...especially for a fly fisherman.

Thats good to hear.

Yes sir!! My fish finder came with one on the red line, I just would need one for the black cable. Thank you sir

You'll be just fine with the one on the positive cable.

Thanks Roger. I try to make sure every item gets room for improvement and it's talked about publicly. I am getting a few nasty emails from folks but if I can't be truthful I might as well not write anything. There are plenty of people and ads already out there for products singing the praises.

This is huge for our sport. What works for some doesn't work for others. Gathering information from throughout our community allows everyone to make more informed decisions. Fly fishing could be problematic. It's like the mirage drive issue. You'd have to move it or cover it with a towel. If you had a Hobie and a Cell Blok it would look like you were doing laundry out there with all the towels.

The thing is that most of us realize there are very few, if any, "perfect products" but that doesn't mean we may not want them or willing to accept the shortcomings knowing we can mod them, work around them or accept them. Many times the shortcomings of a product are obvious just by looking at them but knowing about things like the cell block door not staying shut is good info......I can guarantee that the customer dissatisfaction of buying and finding this out after handing over your money is worse than knowing about it going into the purchase. Not to sound too skeptical but when I read reviews from many pro-staffers, ambassadors, or mfg reps, I always take them with a major grain of salt when it is nothing but what a great product, company, et al it is. Likewise, I hope the mfg's are listening to voices such as yours to keep improving their products....that will ultimately result in better sales in the long run. Thanks again.

Cannot stress this enough. Same could be said not only for accessories but also the type of kayak we paddle. What works for one may not work for everyone. I value everyone's input on these forums, whether I agree or disagree with them.

Another great write up Chris. And two thumbs up for being honest with your opinion. Not every product is for every kayaker no matter what it's application. I think we are blessed to be in a great time for kayak fishing with many products to choose from. When we quit giving honest feedback the manufactures they don't have anything to go by.

I will say that I too didn't put to much stock in reviews written by Pro Staffers,ambassadors, Etc....at one point. But I learned that they all aren't that way. Some are pretty dang honest. I think some are truly trying to promote the sport and make the public aware of some pretty good products. I say Please,PLEASE keep giving constructive criticism. This is the fastest way for a company to learn and grow.
Again great job Chris!

Good honest review, Chris! Just wondering if weight of battery, box, fishfinder, and arm, all on gunnel, caused you to reposition some weight on other side of kayak?

Great, unbiased write-up, which is what I've come to expect and why I always read your reviews. Well done. I don't think this one is for me, price aside, and I appreciate the insight Chris.

Louis,

I didn't knowingly put any additional weight on the other side. The Commander is kind of squared off from the hull to the top of the gunwale so it seems to distribute weight downward without top heavy tipping or lean. That being said, I do normally paddle with the finder and arm on the gunwale, just not with the battery. I may have unknowingly shifted my weight in the seat. I hadn't really thought about it until now. Good question. I unfortunately didn't think of it when testing.

That's funny, I found myself unconsciously shifting my weight when I read the part about : "Hanging over the side of the kayak trying to reattach the connection was not easy".

I was there with you! I don't see it being a problem at all, just making folks aware that they might need to reposition weight of their other gear to balance out correctly. For those that are new to kayaking, too much weight on one side will cause your kayak to pull (turn) the opposite way when you glide. It can be annoying or you can find yourself with a sore back if you "unconsciously tilt your body" all day to correct it.

Great review Chris. I always try to ask around for people who have used the product and try to envision how it would work for me. At first glance I already knew this was not something that I would take the risk on. I usually like my battery containment water proof.

I have a Hobie Outback and installed an 8 inch track (about the max that would fit) just in front of the front built in rod holder. I was considering a cellblock but called Mariner Sails and was told it needed about 11 inches of track since it is about 10 inches long and the conectors are on each end. Was also wondering if there was room in the box for a battery and to stuff the extra transducer cable. Looks like there would be.

Right now I am mounting my Lowrance Elite 5 HDI on a ram mount on the track and the tranducer on a ram mount arm. Still not sure how to deal with all of the extra transducer cable. Storing it in the hull and out of the way makes sense but then it would seem to need two holes and would not be easily removable when taking the transducer mount off. Will likely put the battery box in the hull but my first time out with the fishfinder I just zip tied the dry box to the milk crate with power cable and extra tranducer cable running back there.

There isn't room for a battery and all the transducer cable. What I did with my Outback was use the sail post ram ball mount to mount the head unit and then over to a mad frog slider board and transducer arm. I put all the extra cable just inside the front hatch. You can sort of see it in this pic