Fish finders, which ones to avoid or buy. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dorado50 · 05-21-2008, 07:27 AM

The $120 ones!

Just kidding..... Cudas work pretty good as well as hummers. I think the main objective for a fishfinder on a kayak is to locate bait and give one info on bottom depth and structure. I'm spoiled I like the colored raymarines.....

mg2969 · 05-21-2008, 07:50 AM

i just crapped out my cuda 242
which I picked up for $49 on a double clearance last year at wally mart.
The connector just didn't seal up all that well and i didnt do preventive
maintenance on it. The latter probably being the real cause. I believe Lowrance and Eagle are the same company ?

I liked it. I ran it on 8 - AAs, so that was kinda kewl.

Just purchased a Garmin 140.
I liked how the connector after being seated screws down in place.

The humminbirds just seem to click in place

MikeG

Holy Mackerel · 05-21-2008, 08:03 AM

Be sure to pick up some Dielectric grease to put on all connections... save 15% now!

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...-Grease/Detail

I have a Lowrance Eagle Fish Easy II that still works great, I dont think you need to spend a lot of money, but just need to take care of what you have. Be sure to store your FF upon launching, and landing, I dont care if it is La Jolla 1ft surf... I bought a small dry back, I just keep in my hatch...

I currently upgraded to the Garmin 178C GPS/FF internal antannae, and love it. I had some issues, but Garmin Customer Service was quick to send me replacement parts, etc. and this probably was due to my neglect and corrosion of saltwater.

I got mine off one of those GPS Discount sites, but if I had to do it over again, I might just go to West Marine and get their 3 year warranty. However, on a lower end unit, I probably would just be careful, and not get the WM warranty... Then again, I am coming up on 3 years, with relatively no problems... Moral of story, just take care of your sh*T!

chris

bajadog · 05-21-2008, 09:49 AM

Thanks Chris, MikeG and Dorado.

What does the different colors on the color FF tell you? Density?

Chris POST again quick, your count is at 666....

Handymansd · 05-21-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajadog

Chris POST again quick, your count is at 666....

mg2969 · 05-21-2008, 10:06 AM

Well said Chris

Sorry re-read my post and corrected.
I didn't do preventative maintenance

bajadog · 05-21-2008, 10:16 AM

It seem like most of the "packaged" fishfinders have transom mount transducers.

Can those still be use through hull?

Holy Mackerel · 05-21-2008, 12:05 PM

I lived on 666 Bryant St in College!!

I think I overlooked the original question. Most FF, I have seen come with a puck, and transom hardware, you do not have to use that hardware, and can just glue your puck to your hull with Goop, or another agent.

One other thing to watch out for is your fuse, and fuse housing, they corrode easily. Another good spot to use that Dielectric grease, just a little bit... If you can, try and zip tie that part of the cable to something high off the bottom of your hull inside your kayak, like your scupper post, or a flush mount stem.

chris

05-21-2008, 07:50 AM	#2
mg2969 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach / Lakewood Posts: 85	i just crapped out my cuda 242 which I picked up for $49 on a double clearance last year at wally mart. The connector just didn't seal up all that well and i didnt do preventive maintenance on it. The latter probably being the real cause. I believe Lowrance and Eagle are the same company ? I liked it. I ran it on 8 - AAs, so that was kinda kewl. Just purchased a Garmin 140. I liked how the connector after being seated screws down in place. The humminbirds just seem to click in place MikeG __________________ Hobie Mirage Revolution Prowler 13 - Look ma no hands Last edited by mg2969; 05-21-2008 at 10:05 AM.

05-21-2008, 09:49 AM	#4
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	Thanks Chris, MikeG and Dorado. What does the different colors on the color FF tell you? Density? Chris POST again quick, your count is at 666.... __________________ Please release bill-fish.

05-21-2008, 10:06 AM	#6
mg2969 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach / Lakewood Posts: 85	Well said Chris Sorry re-read my post and corrected. I didn't do preventative maintenance __________________ Hobie Mirage Revolution Prowler 13 - Look ma no hands

05-21-2008, 10:16 AM	#7
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	Transom vs. through hull transducers It seem like most of the "packaged" fishfinders have transom mount transducers. Can those still be use through hull? __________________ Please release bill-fish.

05-21-2008, 07:27 AM	#1
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	The $120 ones! Just kidding..... Cudas work pretty good as well as hummers. I think the main objective for a fishfinder on a kayak is to locate bait and give one info on bottom depth and structure. I'm spoiled I like the colored raymarines.....

05-21-2008, 08:03 AM	#3
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	Be sure to pick up some Dielectric grease to put on all connections... save 15% now! http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...-Grease/Detail I have a Lowrance Eagle Fish Easy II that still works great, I dont think you need to spend a lot of money, but just need to take care of what you have. Be sure to store your FF upon launching, and landing, I dont care if it is La Jolla 1ft surf... I bought a small dry back, I just keep in my hatch... I currently upgraded to the Garmin 178C GPS/FF internal antannae, and love it. I had some issues, but Garmin Customer Service was quick to send me replacement parts, etc. and this probably was due to my neglect and corrosion of saltwater. I got mine off one of those GPS Discount sites, but if I had to do it over again, I might just go to West Marine and get their 3 year warranty. However, on a lower end unit, I probably would just be careful, and not get the WM warranty... Then again, I am coming up on 3 years, with relatively no problems... Moral of story, just take care of your sh*T! chris

05-21-2008, 12:05 PM	#8
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	I lived on 666 Bryant St in College!! I think I overlooked the original question. Most FF, I have seen come with a puck, and transom hardware, you do not have to use that hardware, and can just glue your puck to your hull with Goop, or another agent. One other thing to watch out for is your fuse, and fuse housing, they corrode easily. Another good spot to use that Dielectric grease, just a little bit... If you can, try and zip tie that part of the cable to something high off the bottom of your hull inside your kayak, like your scupper post, or a flush mount stem. chris