Lowrance "Structure Scan" - Page 3

BruceB · 02 May 2010, 20:49

Got it all fitted in now and connected, just got the tidying up to do and finish off the service jobs I started a week or two ago on both trailer and boat for the summer.
At least its all just screwing the parts back together now and a bit of tidying up the wiring etc.
pics show
The transducer fitted at same level as normal transducer so its out the water when planing but in when trolling as the instructions say works fine. Will move down if I have any problems.
The main unit which was considerably bigger than I was expectng but managed to fit in neatly enough by making a ply board fitted to the front of the console.
The bracket for the head unit where I can see it as 90% of the time it will just be acting as a plotter on my boat network.
Now I just need to get the boat in this week and see if it all works as advertised.

BruceB · 05 May 2010, 20:07

Well mine is all up and running and seems to be working OK in the drive. First Impressions on the HDS after a slight panic attack going through the menus (Lowrance instructions are notoriously poor) is that the menu system is fairly easy to work through once you play with it for a few minutes.
The system is certainly more "plug and play" than previous Lowrance models I have and have had in the past.
Only downside is that the chart plotter chart detail isn't as sharp as my previous 5300C and the other, still fitted, LCX-27. The details on the chart are certainly much clearer and sharper on these screens but maybe I have missed a setting on screen clarity or similiar (although all seems to set OK.
Next, on water trials and see how good it is!

BruceB · 06 May 2010, 23:41

Had a very quick play with the unit tonight but the weather was a bit choppy. I seem to have some interference from something on the boat which I will look for but had mixed results in the very short play with the unit.
In the choppy exposed water I checked out a target in 25m and found it but didn't get great detail in the scan although it was recogniseable as wreckage.
I came into the bay and found that I could recognise the boiler of a wreck in 15m near the shore and the mooring blocks and lines were showing up on the scan. I also picked up quite well a pinnacle that is 40m high, in 40m.
I need to go out a play with it more, sorry no pics as I hadn't thought yet of saving the logs. Any helpful hints on getting more out the unit from those that have had theirs a while?

BruceB · 09 May 2010, 18:07

I was out yesterday saving all the sonar to log thinking I could play around with it at home. Bit disapointed with the lack of quality of the logs.
So hey ho, back out today again over the same marks, this time taking screenshots instead.
I am alternatively very impressed and disappointed with the results although to be fair I do only have a small screen and it was quite choppy today and yesterday.
Where I got calm weather and having a hull mounted transducer wasn't an issue cos it was bouncing a bit I got very good results. Where it was choppy or the target was deeper it was a bit variable.
For calm weather down to about 30m this is the sort of result I was getting, divers can you guess the wreck?

Unfortunately no prizes for guessing correct ........

wiLlfish · 09 May 2010, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

can you guess the wreck?

i downt noe wot de rekk iz butt i recugnize dat bitt ov seebed.

itts 56 ° 28 ' 32 '' Norf 5 ° 25' 4'' wesst

wilF

BruceB · 09 May 2010, 18:42

Very good, the wreck is just to the right of that bit of seabed

more pics.
Madam Alice in 42m
and an aircraft in 24m

willk · 09 May 2010, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

divers can you guess the wreck?

Unfortunately no prizes for guessing correct ........

Doz ya tink we is spaz, or is it we is gettin no prizes 'cos of how ya is writin' da name on da pix?

BruceB · 09 May 2010, 22:29

Oops

ryza00 · 09 May 2010, 22:41

Is it the Wallachia?

willk · 09 May 2010, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

Oops

That's OK. Sidescan will do that to an otherwise healthy mind. A mate of mine has the same problem. He's just fitted a plotter driven autopilot thingy to his rib, c/w gyro and fluxgate compass and stuff. All so he can drive in ever decreasing circles round an alleged wreck while towing a "fish"

I've brought him to car-breakers and trawler-broker's yards and shown him broken useless stuff to wean him off his financially destructive behaviour, but he says it only counts if it's underwater (by accident).

Moored heap of shite = Wreckie Mogadon
Deep Sixed heap of shite = Wreckie Methadone
Tragically Lost heap of shite = Wreckie Heroin

BruceB · 09 May 2010, 22:55

I know one person who has an autopilofcr*p fitted to a RIB, never thought it was a good idea.
Is your mate based on the Clyde?

BruceB · 09 May 2010, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Doz ya tink we is spaz, or is it we is gettin no prizes 'cos of how ya is writin' da name on da pix?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryza00;

Is it the Wallachia?

Well its manage to fool someone, despite the names on the pics

wiLlfish · 09 May 2010, 23:54

ryza00
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: Gourock
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryza00

Is it the Wallachia?

i fink deevolooshun waz a mistaik

orlso iym nevver dryvin acrross de forrth ov firrth brijj

wiLf

Simon B · 10 May 2010, 10:03

Keep posting Bruce! Guessed it was the Breda before I clicked on it. The other two were at different frequencies does this make a big difference? the 800kHz shot is a cracker.

willk · 10 May 2010, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

All so he can drive in ever decreasing circles round an alleged wreck while towing a "fish"

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I know one person who has an autopilofcr*p fitted to a RIB, never thought it was a good idea.

Doesn't it work? He's putting a lot of work into his...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

Is your mate based on the Clyde?

No, he's here. He does a lot of Proton Mag stuff and seabed mapping. If he's good, I'll bring him to the IOM and you can talk Wreckish stuff

All messing aside - nice work with the Sidescan - keep the updates coming

BruceB · 10 May 2010, 16:25

No, it does work. Its just I am not sure that bombing along with an auto steering mech on a fast RIB is really such a good idea.
For searches I can see its use, sit and have a cuppa while the boat drives itself around searching, I could cope with that.

BruceB · 10 May 2010, 19:07

Few more.
Breda starboard side view, bow to right.
Heather island in Kerrera sound running from bottom North to top South. Showing from top of cliff to about 40m deep
Thalia in 52m and shows the bow speared into the seabed as it is in reality very well.

jambo · 10 May 2010, 23:15

Hi Bruce I take it you are happy with your new toy?!

J

BruceB · 10 May 2010, 23:24

It has its limitations but for the cost it is very good. A larger screen would be useful but would have made it too expensive for me at the moment.
I am hoping Henrik comes back on to give me any benefit of his experience using it as he has had his longer.
The images being put up are all generated over the weekend on wrecks and areas I have actually dived to get an idea of how to work it and understand what it is showing.
Now to use it for finding new stuff.................

BruceB · 12 May 2010, 16:26

I have started a thread in the gallery, basically I hope that if I show mine others will show theirs

I would like to see what result others are getting to improve use and see what they are capable of. I think these units will become more common very soon and in fact know of one or two folk near here considering buying based on what they have seen of mine.