Fish finder V Numbers

Mark Halliday · 15 January 2004, 17:57

Which is better, a fish finder or a numerical sounder?
Most of you seem to favour fish finders and I just wondered why.

Mark H

Daniel · 15 January 2004, 18:31

In my experience they are cheaper - i only really use the numbers from it, but i suppose one day i might want to find a wreck or some fish, much more likely the former.

If you've read through our recent discussions then i guess you will have realised Garmin units don't seam to be that good, for whatever reason, where as Eagle / Lowrance, brands ususlly associaded with low-cost stuff seam to work better.

wavelength · 15 January 2004, 18:43

The graph on a fishfinder gives you an "at a glance" idea of the trend, shallowing or getting deeper, whereas numbers are just that-numbers. And if I'm bored I can turn the sensitivity up and the sounder will show me loadsa fish that just aint there in reality any more

gingercoastie · 15 January 2004, 18:55

I bought a fishfinder because it was cheaper than depth guage, but I changed the setting before Xmas and used it to find and catch fish. A case of keeping your options open I think.

Mark Halliday · 16 January 2004, 09:00

Thanks Guys on this thread and others for the help.
I am now much nearer making a descision.
I will probably go the numerical way (half share in boat = half price) as there is not a lot of room left on the console for a f. finder, despite the fact that it is double width! I envy all you lot with new RIBS that can lay out all the gear in one go and not have to work round someone else's ideas.
I hope to be working on it on sunday and will try to get some photos to post, all be it sitting on the trailer outside the house.

Mark H

Pete7 · 16 January 2004, 09:12

Quote:

I envy all you lot with new RIBS that can lay out all the gear in one go and not have to work round someone else's ideas

I wish, my Pacific is old enough to go to University

and still going strong.

What I do find scary is some other peoples ideas of acceptable working practices. Fuel filter mounted directly above the battery master switch !!! Fuel lines and battery cables routed under deck down the same trunking, the list goes on.... still normally fairly easy to sort out.

Peter

Mark Halliday · 16 January 2004, 10:08

Yeah - like twist and tape wiring joints and no fuses..........

Mark H

Jelly · 16 January 2004, 11:34

Pete & Mark
Twist & tape seems to be an accepted far east method
Once had to trouble shoot a main frame Computer on a ship cables were different colours so we looked 3 phase cables twist and taped!!! had got rather warm!
Jelly

oceanpro · 21 January 2004, 21:02

Been thinking along the same lines myself. Fishfinders seem to take up a lot of room and all I really want is the depth.

Raymarine do a neat bidata unit the ST40. Gives speed, log, depth water temp all on one gauge and one transducer. Has anyone fitted & or used one of these and with what results?

Mark Halliday · 22 January 2004, 08:58

Oceanpro
I am looking at the same. I asked this question some weeks ago and did not find anyone who has got one. Local chandlery are selling Bi-Data at £190 and depth only at £135, which is comparable with fish finders. Same price for hull or transom transducers. As you say, it is a very neat unit with big (28mm) digits. I am not too keen on transom mounting as the unit is quite long, so will probably go with depth transducer bonded inside the hull and speed unit on a custom bracket (bit of bent stainless) on the transom. This way I can mount the bracket in line with the hull as the paddle wheel does not need to be vertical like the depth transducer.
As I am a namby pamby Southerner I can not expect to be on the water to try it before mid July!!!!!!!!!!!!