Your opinion on meters please... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

mtnbykr2 · 10-03-2011, 12:25 PM

Ok,
I have removed my 3rd Humminbird unit out of the yak, started w/a 718
went to a 365i for the internal GPS, this will be the 3rd 365i, I am done with the quick connect to the head unit, I will be looking at Lowrance an Garmin for the connections, hopefully they are better, I am bugeting about 500.00, your opinions and thoughts please, I am looking for reliability and quality of course, color not necessary but would be nice,
I am just done with Humminbirds design of connection at the head unit, the last 3 months I have had to mess with the meter more than fishing...thanks in advance....b

YakMedic · 10-03-2011, 12:33 PM

X 2 I can't count how many power cords I've corroded. Even with dielectric grease, it is a poor design.
I was actually looking to upgrade to the 385 but the connections have me hesitant

RK · 10-03-2011, 12:43 PM

Some great fishermen on here gave me some excellent advice after destroying my last unit....

NEVER disconnect the head unit from the cables...

ALWAYS disconnect the battery immediately after use...

example;

Use two dry bags, store the head unit in one and battery in another, attach the head unit to a ram mount or something similar once on the water..

Since switching to this method I have had zero issues.... that being said Ill probably break my unit on my next trip.

More important than anything else BUY YOUR WEST MARINE PLUS PLAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mtnbykr2 · 10-03-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RK

Some great fishermen on here gave me some excellent advice after destroying my last unit....

NEVER disconnect the head unit from the cables...

ALWAYS disconnect the battery immediately after use...

example;

Use two dry bags, store the head unit in one and battery in another, attach the head unit to a ram mount or something similar once on the water..

Since switching to this method I have had zero issues.... that being said Ill probably break my unit on my next trip.

More important than anything else BUY YOUR WEST MARINE PLUS PLAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good idea on the West Marine Plus, what about surf lanches you don't remove the meter?

RK · 10-03-2011, 12:49 PM

Both the head unit and battery stay in dry bags in my hatch until I launch then OTW I remove the head unit and put it on the ram ball...

I NEVER DISCONNECT the unit therefore zero opportunies for even a drop of saltwater to creep in

RK · 10-03-2011, 12:51 PM

and the west marine plus is the only option for a kayak fisherman...
someone would be an absolute idiot to buy an electronic device use it in saltwater and not purchase a warranty

mtnbykr2 · 10-03-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RK

Both the head unit and battery stay in dry bags in my hatch until I launch then OTW I remove the head unit and put it on the ram ball...

I NEVER DISCONNECT the unit therefore zero opportunies for even a drop of saltwater to creep in

I usually hard wire everything in the yak so I would have to disconnect,
I may do a wet mount in the hull instead of goop mount, but all other wiring installed

mtnbykr2 · 10-03-2011, 12:45 PM

connections are the same, I want to get away from that head unit connection

10-03-2011, 12:25 PM	#1
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	Your opinion on meters please... Ok, I have removed my 3rd Humminbird unit out of the yak, started w/a 718 went to a 365i for the internal GPS, this will be the 3rd 365i, I am done with the quick connect to the head unit, I will be looking at Lowrance an Garmin for the connections, hopefully they are better, I am bugeting about 500.00, your opinions and thoughts please, I am looking for reliability and quality of course, color not necessary but would be nice, I am just done with Humminbirds design of connection at the head unit, the last 3 months I have had to mess with the meter more than fishing...thanks in advance....b

10-03-2011, 12:33 PM	#2
YakMedic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wrightwood Posts: 623	X 2 I can't count how many power cords I've corroded. Even with dielectric grease, it is a poor design. I was actually looking to upgrade to the 385 but the connections have me hesitant

10-03-2011, 12:43 PM	#3
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	Some great fishermen on here gave me some excellent advice after destroying my last unit.... NEVER disconnect the head unit from the cables... ALWAYS disconnect the battery immediately after use... example; Use two dry bags, store the head unit in one and battery in another, attach the head unit to a ram mount or something similar once on the water.. Since switching to this method I have had zero issues.... that being said Ill probably break my unit on my next trip. More important than anything else BUY YOUR WEST MARINE PLUS PLAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10-03-2011, 12:49 PM	#5
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	Both the head unit and battery stay in dry bags in my hatch until I launch then OTW I remove the head unit and put it on the ram ball... I NEVER DISCONNECT the unit therefore zero opportunies for even a drop of saltwater to creep in

10-03-2011, 12:51 PM	#6
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	and the west marine plus is the only option for a kayak fisherman... someone would be an absolute idiot to buy an electronic device use it in saltwater and not purchase a warranty

10-03-2011, 12:45 PM	#8
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	connections are the same, I want to get away from that head unit connection