What To Look For In A Fish Finder

[wapsi smallmouth]

Im looking for a fish finder for my kayak and i have never bought one before and i have no idea what i should be looking for. I don't want any down imaging or side just a simple fish finder under 120. I was looking at the pmax 175 and the lowrance x-4 pro so if anyone has an opinion on these that would be great. 

 

 

 

Thanks

Wapsi smallmouth

 

[Lewi]

In your range you are obviously looking for a simple display that will give you depth and structure.  I am positive that the pmax would suit you just fine with your setup and you would be happy with it as it's very user friendly.  A friend of mine uses it on his canoe and it does what he needs it to do. The x-4 is a good unit from what I have heard so I would guess can't go wrong there either .......I am just a "bird" guy! I like the Humminbird displays a lot more.

 

-Lewi

[wapsi smallmouth]

i do have a question though when it says

 

 

Humminbird® PiranhaMax™ 175 Sonar

Dimensions: Height - 6.5 in.

Width - 3.87 in.

Depth - 3.5 in.

Display size: 4 in.

Pixel count: 240 x 160

Display type: 256 Color TFT

Frequency: Dual Beam - 200/455 kHZ

Sonar max depth: Dual Beam - 600 ft.

Transducer type: XNT-9-28-T

Waterproof: Yes

Power supply: 10-20 vDC

Output power: Peak to peak - 1,600 watts

RMS - 200 watts

Warranty: 1 year limited

Made in the USA

Temperature reading can not be turned off.

 

 

What does the frequency do and what's a good # for that along with when it says like 200/16° what does that mean

[Wayne P.]

Your spec copy is incomplete.

 

Sonar uses sound to broadcast and record return echos.

 

The 200 is the sound frequency in kHz and is the most common one for less than 1000' depths.

The 28 degrees is the spec coverage angle in a somewhat inverted cone shaped pulse.

Typically 200 kHz has a 20 degree spec coverage which covers 1/3 the depth. You can do the math for the 28 degrees of coverage.

The spec strength ( loudness ) is at -10 db, but the actual coverage is more at lesser strengths.That the the typical loudness level that companies use to determine the coverage.

 

The other frequency 455 kHz has less coverage (16 degrees) and less depth capability, but has better definition due to the shorter sound pulses.

[Wayne P.]

Do a web search for "How sonar works"

[wapsi smallmouth]

Do a web search for "How sonar works"

Ok that did clear things up and i have an understanding of what the whole 200 kHz thing, but every unit i look at has a like 83 and 200 or something like that. Is 455 any real advantage or have any use

 

Thanks

Wapsi smallmouth 

[Wayne P.]

Ok that did clear things up and i have an understanding of what the whole 200 kHz thing, but every unit i look at has a like 83 and 200 or something like that. Is 455 any real advantage or have any use

 

Thanks

Wapsi smallmouth 

Not really, you would use the 200 kHz most the time.to have more coverage.

 

If just the depth and better detail of bottom changes is what you want, the 455 would be OK for that.

It would limit what you would see under the boat to a smaller coverage to tell which fish are the closest.

 

Yes most dual frequency units have 200/83 kHz with a 20 degree and 60 degree coverage.

[wapsi smallmouth]

so you wouldn't really recommend a unit with those frequency ranges. Cause i noticed that humminbirds use those frequencies alot

[slonezp]

The HB's come with either 455/200 or 200/83. In the menu you can choose one or both frequency's. My unit has 200/83 and I've found that 200 is the one I prefer. It gives me the best coverage without all the clutter.

[Wayne P.]

The HB's come with either 455/200 or 200/83. In the menu you can choose one or both frequency's. My unit has 200/83 and I've found that 200 is the one I prefer. It gives me the best coverage without all the clutter.

All that clutter is because of the coverage ( 60 degrees spec) that the 83 kHz has.

Some prefer the wider coverage for vertical presentations.

[Wayne P.]

so you wouldn't really recommend a unit with those frequency ranges. Cause i noticed that humminbirds use those frequencies alot

All the DI units use 200/455 for 2D and 455/800 for Down Imaging by default.

 

The 800, 900, and 1100 series DI models can be set to use 200/83 for 2D and 455/800 for Down Imaging with a transducer change for trolling motor use.

 

Some units that can use the Quad Beam transducer can be set to use 455 kHz for the side beams when that transducer is connected, but still use 200/83 kHz for 2D sonar.

 

Lots of choices available. You just have pay attention to the unit specs and choose what suits your needs/budget.

[wapsi smallmouth]

All the DI units use 200/455 for 2D and 455/800 for Down Imaging by default.

 

The 800, 900, and 1100 series DI models can be set to use 200/83 for 2D and 455/800 for Down Imaging with a transducer change for trolling motor use.

 

Some units that can use the Quad Beam transducer can be set to use 455 kHz for the side beams when that transducer is connected, but still use 200/83 kHz for 2D sonar.

 

Lots of choices available. You just have pay attention to the unit specs and choose what suits your needs/budget.

i noticed that other brands used it for down scanning so that might be nice even with the limited cone

[Wayne P.]

i noticed that other brands used it for down scanning so that might be nice even with the limited cone

Down Imaging or Down Scan does NOT use a "cone" shaped pulse. Only 2D sonar does.

It is two different technologies that produce two different views on a display.

 

Imaging pulses are very thin front-to-back and are wide to the sides ( pie slice shaped )

[wapsi smallmouth]

Down Imaging or Down Scan does NOT use a "cone" shaped pulse. Only 2D sonar does.

It is two different technologies that produce two different views on a display.

 

Imaging pulses are very thin front-to-back and are wide to the sides ( pie slice shaped )

oh i assumed that DSi and 2d was the same kinda cone, but just interpreted differently on the screen, but it is more detailed just smaller cone