Garmin 160 Blue & Alternatives

[Michael]

I put a 160 on my boat last summer, but from the start it has lost signal at speeds over about 12kts. The transom mount transducer is located properly, and does not "flip up" at speed. Sometimes it works up to 17kts, but it invariably goes at some point. If I slow to a halt the signal returns. A search of this forum revealed that garygee and Alex Brown had similar experiences with the 160. I emailed them - Alex still has a problem, garygee has given up and got a Lowrance X51.

Has anyone else had this problem, and solved it? Alternatively, what fishfinders are members using that are problem free?

Hope someone can help.

Mike

[Richard B]

Interesting - I thought the guys had sorted it all out.

Anyway, I have a Lowrance x-something or other and it works very well. 20, 30, 40 kts and it gives a reading. Accurate? I don't know... all I know is I haven't run aground - yet!

I think my Lowrance is discontinued (I don't claim credit for product selection - it came with the boat) but I'll look for a link to something similar in a minute.

Jeez - these guys want £230 for the unit: http://www.fym.co.uk/Electronics.htm

Dunno if this is the same or a cheap imitation: http://www.compass24.com/cgi-bin/abn...cs_Fishfinders

[Alex Brown]

Yeah, it does have 'issues' between around 15 and 25knots..... usually generated by what I can only make out as something like a pocket of air. I don't think I'll ever get around it cos of the deep 'v' hull which affects it somewhat. I'd like to mount the depth transducer in the bilge well, but there isn't much room there with the bilge pump as well.

To be honest, it doesn't bother me too much, and when I'm in shallow areas, I'm not bombing around anyway. It has worked perfectly most of the time this year with the exception of the transducer popping up every so often in rougher weather due to it thinking it's on a beach

I may replace the large transducer for a smaller one (like I had on my previous 160 Blue) next year, but for now it can stay as it is.

-Alex

[marknj]

Hi,
Can you post a photo of it, then will try to help.

[Alex Brown]

I can probably get you a pic in the dry, but as for when motoring along, I've not been brave enough to hang over the back with the digicam yet......

Will get a few snaps tomorrow.

-Alex

[timboli]

I used a garmin 100 with an internal transducer,sikoflexed in to the stern well on a ribcraft 4.8,as a temporary arrangement,worked fine at all speeds that the boat was capable of,but had some problems getting reception in shallow muddy creeks 3-6 ft deep

[Michael]

Originally posted by marknj
Hi,
Can you post a photo of it, then will try to help.

I won't be on the boat again until the 14th but I'll post a shot (of the transducer) then. Don't think it will shed much light though.

Mike

[marknj]

Hi,
It's just the position of the TDCR in relation to the shape of the hull. 'A picture tells a thousand words' and all that. I have sorted several with problems, all due to TDCR position.

Cheers
Mark.

[Daniel]

I'm having the same problem with 'top banana' which is running a garmin depth transducer.

I've also had the same problem with another Gramin - not yet solved.

Grayswish always ahd lowrance / eagle depth sounders (like Blue Ice's) which worked fine at all speeds!

Picture en-route Mark, i would appreciate any help you could give!

[Michael]

The Gods (wife and 3 kids) have looked kindly upon me (you try disappearing for 2 days, 3 weeks before Christmas) so I'll be on the boat on Saturday.

Mark - I'll take a few shots, although as she's in the water I'm still not sure they will shed much light......

A friend has the same boat, so if he's out I'll take a shot of his hull so you can see the profile etc.

Daniel - would appreciate seeing your pic also. Email me directly or post here.

Mike

[Daniel]

Problem with camera at the moment (like i've lost the CF media jobbie to upload to the PC) but here is a previous PIC (not ideal i know)

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...&pagenumber=39

[jwalker]

Oooo, you've got them behind the sprayrails. Did you not read the fitting instructions?

[Daniel]

Yep, i thought that was where they were supposed to go. Will get the book of words.

That's also where i fitted the eagle one on grayswsih, which worked great.

[Richard B]

Originally posted by Daniel
Yep, i thought that was where they were supposed to go.

I think mine's fitted there (behind sprayrail) too.

[Alex Brown]

ditto here - any further out and it could get out of the water cos it's too high up on the V, or any further down, and it'd interfere with the engine.
I forgot to take pic this week - will do it tomorrow.

-Alex

[Michael]

Had a great afternoon in Dingle Bay yesterday. Took this shot before we left the marina in Caherciveen. All it proves is that the ruddy transducer is in the water. There is a lot of reflection, so even though it looks like the scupper outlet is underwater, its not!

See next post for pic of transom.
(Can anyone tell me how to attach 2 or more pics to one post?)

Mike

[Michael]

Here is the transom of another Arvor. My transducer is mounted near the yellow dot. Prop rotates anti - clockwise. If it was any further right it would be hit by bubbles from the baitwell intake which is about 2cm wide, midships.

[houser]

Read this for reference, good thread..
best
jtm

[Michael]

Very interesting. Looks like some experimentation with silicone is called for, as the actress said to the bishop.

Michael

[Rupert Bear]

I have the garmin 240 blue and am having the opposite problem. Mine reads brilliantly at full speed but doesn't like it at slow speed and loses the bottom. it also doesn't give a very detailed pic of the bottom anyway. Any ideas?