5 Things You MUST Know Before You Buy A Fish Finder!

[chris138]

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

I am sorry Chris, but I have to disagree. One of the top 5 has to be buy the extended warranty. Because you are going to need it unless you only fish on the blue moons.

These are pretty important to consider. I never launch with my FF installed, always stowed in drybag below deck. So as far as damage to the head unit itself I haven't had too many issues. Not the case with my Raymarine dragonfly several years back, which had water ingress issues just from splashing on the water.

The most common failure mode I have is corrosion of the power supply cable. The Elite Ti units I use have the "red plug" which I will replace every season or 2. The unit wont turn on, and you have to kinda fiddle with the power cable, and often you have to like partway unplug it to get it to turn on when its getting corroded.

The west marine warranty is pretty awesome though, and you're right it should definitely be considered carefully. Another thing to realize is that these devices for sure have a limited lifespan in a kayak application. It's really quite sad, that the companies can't make a fully submersible headunit, with a wireless power supply. Or better yet, why not make one with an internal LiPo like an iPhone and have it charge wirelessly at home. I think it would be pretty easy to have a transducer that used their ANT bluetooth tech and be fully wireless. If Garmin stepped up their fishfinder game to where their watches and submersible GPS devices are, I would change over to them in a HEARTBEAT.

[cris]

Originally Posted by chris138

These are pretty important to consider. I never launch with my FF installed, always stowed in drybag below deck. So as far as damage to the head unit itself I haven't had too many issues. Not the case with my Raymarine dragonfly several years back, which had water ingress issues just from splashing on the water.

The most common failure mode I have is corrosion of the power supply cable. The Elite Ti units I use have the "red plug" which I will replace every season or 2. The unit wont turn on, and you have to kinda fiddle with the power cable, and often you have to like partway unplug it to get it to turn on when its getting corroded.

The west marine warranty is pretty awesome though, and you're right it should definitely be considered carefully. Another thing to realize is that these devices for sure have a limited lifespan in a kayak application. It's really quite sad, that the companies can't make a fully submersible headunit, with a wireless power supply. Or better yet, why not make one with an internal LiPo like an iPhone and have it charge wirelessly at home. I think it would be pretty easy to have a transducer that used their ANT bluetooth tech and be fully wireless. If Garmin stepped up their fishfinder game to where their watches and submersible GPS devices are, I would change over to them in a HEARTBEAT.

Fully sealed including replaceable battery, wireless charging and fully submersible. Sign me up

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by chris138

Another thing to realize is that these devices for sure have a limited lifespan in a kayak application. It's really quite sad, that the companies can't make a fully submersible headunit, with a wireless power supply. Or better yet, why not make one with an internal LiPo like an iPhone and have it charge wirelessly at home. I think it would be pretty easy to have a transducer that used their ANT bluetooth tech and be fully wireless. If Garmin stepped up their fishfinder game to where their watches and submersible GPS devices are, I would change over to them in a HEARTBEAT.

Many mfgs are not even supplying plugs to cover the wires when the head units are disconnected. It's like they want the FF to go bad so you will have to buy a new one. How sweet it would be to have water proof units with internal LiPo batteries and no wires in the hull to corrode!

[cris]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Many mfgs are not even supplying plugs to cover the wires when the head units are disconnected. It's like they want the FF to go bad so you will have to buy a new one. How sweet it would be to have water proof units with internal LiPo batteries and no wires in the hull to corrode!

There are several available on amazon for around a hundred bucks with sealed LiPo batteries. Just not from any of the big name sonar brands...

[GregAndrew]

Yes, the main issues deal with water intrusion. Through the connectors, the unused ports, the SD slots and even the heads themselves. You can mitigate most of the issues taking the steps mentioned above during launch and landing. But there are still rogue conditions that can get your unit wet well away from the launch.

Another consideration is that most of these units are not designed to be connected and disconnected each outing. There is wear and tear involved with all of that.

Not ever going to be able to get to fully wireless units due the the transducer being in the water. But I would love to see the waterproof head and rechargeable internal battery and storage, as long as it has capacity.

I too love the West Marine warranty, and buy all of my electronics from them with it. Not only do they replace your unit under their extended warranty, they will replace the unit under the manufacturers warranty and return it themselves.

[SoCalEDC]

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

they will replace the unit under the manufacturers warranty and return it themselves.

Wow, thats great customer service. I will have to keep that in mind next time I buy something.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregAndrew View Post
they will replace the unit under the manufacturers warranty and return it themselves.

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

Wow, thats great customer service. I will have to keep that in mind next time I buy something.

West Marine has great customer service. When the price match that I found was not within the now required 50mile radius from the store, they did find me a comparable price match. The extended warranties have some fine print that store by store is disregarded subject to the location. I would inquire with the store to confirm their warranty policy. The largest West Marine in the US(Ft Lauderdale) encourages the extended warranty because then one can bring it back to the store for an exchange, instead of having to go to the manufacturer. That is also the selling point for buying their brand of certain products.

[cris]

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

Yes, the main issues deal with water intrusion. Through the connectors, the unused ports, the SD slots and even the heads themselves. You can mitigate most of the issues taking the steps mentioned above during launch and landing. But there are still rogue conditions that can get your unit wet well away from the launch.

Another consideration is that most of these units are not designed to be connected and disconnected each outing. There is wear and tear involved with all of that.

Not ever going to be able to get to fully wireless units due the the transducer being in the water. But I would love to see the waterproof head and rechargeable internal battery and storage, as long as it has capacity.

I too love the West Marine warranty, and buy all of my electronics from them with it. Not only do they replace your unit under their extended warranty, they will replace the unit under the manufacturers warranty and return it themselves.

I have noticed some pins bending in the connectors, great point.