Super User Felix77 Posted March 5, 2014 Super User Posted March 5, 2014 I recently purchased the new Ride 115x. I am interested in the groups opinion on what fishfinder you use on your kayak if any and why. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted March 5, 2014 Super User Posted March 5, 2014 Any fish finder you can use on a regular boat you can use on a kayak. I have a pirahnamax something or other but would like to upgrade to at least a DI and possibly a SI if funds allow it. Just set a budget and features you want and start searching....the only concern would be is if you had some huge screen that would get in the way of paddling or fishing but that is where the rigging comes in to play. The 115x is also set up to use with lowrance i believe which should make rigging much easier. Quote
Hanover_Yakker Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 I use a Lowrance Elite-5 DSI. I have also used the Cuda 300/Mark X-4 and the Elite-4 DSI. Quote
Tugmaster Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 Just ordered a Lowrance Elite 5 HDI Gold. It wasn't cheap but I know it will do all I want it to. I hate " settling" for something and then wishing I had got something a bit better. That's why I too the plunge with this one. Hopefully, spring will arrive at some point and I will get to try it out!!!! Todd Quote
Super User Darren. Posted March 5, 2014 Super User Posted March 5, 2014 When I use it, it's a Garmin Echo 100... Would prefer to get a DSI type, want to see if anyone knows about Garmin's new 151dv model. Quote
camovan Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 Just upgraded to a 798ci hd si and will be hopefully installing it this week to take out on my first trip of the year Sunday. My almost new elite 5 is in the flea market..... I really like the 5" screen size so I stuck to that this time too. Whatever you get, I think GPS is just as important as anything else. I also upgraded so I could use the navionics sonar charts to record some of my favorite unmapped locations. That was originally why I bought the Lowrance but planned on using dr depth, well a few weeks after I bought the graph dr, depth decided to sell to another company and the software was discontinued. Quote
bartdude186 Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 I use a piranahmaxx 153. gets the job done. depth, drop offs, and brush piles is all i really need on my kayak. 1 Quote
c.rushing2010 Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 I use a garmin echo 150. Water temp, depth, and bottom composition is all I need it to do. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 6, 2014 Super User Posted March 6, 2014 Just upgraded to a 798ci hd si and will be hopefully installing it this week to take out on my first trip of the year Sunday. My almost new elite 5 is in the flea market..... I really like the 5" screen size so I stuck to that this time too. Whatever you get, I think GPS is just as important as anything else. I also upgraded so I could use the navionics sonar charts to record some of my favorite unmapped locations. That was originally why I bought the Lowrance but planned on using dr depth, well a few weeks after I bought the graph dr, depth decided to sell to another company and the software was discontinued. The company that owns Humminbird bought the Dr Depth software. It will become Lakemaster Auto Charts coming out soon. SO you got the correct brand to use that after all. Quote
moguy1973 Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 I have a Lowrance Elite-4x DSI but I really want to upgrade to the new HDI model they just came out with that has quad frequencies and both 2D and downscan 3D on the same screen. Both are a nice small compact package and the one I have works well with my Ocean Kayak. If you want GPS they also have the Elite-4 HDI which triple splits the screen for all 3 on the screen at the same time. Quote
tntitans21399 Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 I use a Hummingbird Piranha. It was the best portable fish finder years ago because it has a tansmitter that you put in the water and it floats. it skso runs on batteries C batteries so no big bulky battery to install. It folds up for storage and sits on top when I use it. I really mainly use it to know the water depth mainly. Quote
EdsBar Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 I bought the Piranha as well. What was nice is that it had a sensor you stick to the bottom of the kayak (inside) and it transmits down (sonar). Nothing to toss overboard. Quote
camovan Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 The company that owns Humminbird bought the Dr Depth software. It will become Lakemaster Auto Charts coming out soon. SO you got the correct brand to use that after all. I saw the rumors when it happened, I was less than thrilled. I did switch brands but for the Navionics Sonar charts support rather than Lakemaster which does me no good in VA Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted March 6, 2014 Super User Posted March 6, 2014 I also run a HB 798 CI HD SI on my kayak. Getting the best ff I could afford was priority #1 after I bought my yak. I almost went with the Lowrance Elite-7 HDI but ultimately decided I wanted side imaging. I'm really happy with my 798. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 6, 2014 Super User Posted March 6, 2014 I saw the rumors when it happened, I was less than thrilled. I did switch brands but for the Navionics Sonar charts support rather than Lakemaster which does me no good in VA Sonar Charts will be availble for Lowrance, Garmin was added recently. Lakemaster will be available in our area at some point. Both take time. Quote
camovan Posted March 7, 2014 Posted March 7, 2014 Exactly, I traded vague promises and loose timelines for something that works today. Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted March 10, 2014 Author Super User Posted March 10, 2014 I have a Lowrance Elite-4x DSI but I really want to upgrade to the new HDI model they just came out with that has quad frequencies and both 2D and downscan 3D on the same screen. Both are a nice small compact package and the one I have works well with my Ocean Kayak. If you want GPS they also have the Elite-4 HDI which triple splits the screen for all 3 on the screen at the same time. I got to play with the new HDI this past weekend at BassPro. It's an awesome unit. I also noticed the screen is relatively bigger than the older model 4 series. They happened to have it near a kit which was on sale and it was noticeably bigger. Quote
OperationEagle Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 I have the HBird 346C. Use a Tducer arm that I would say is just OK. I tried the electrical puddy inside the hull but my DI didnt work and the sonar signal seemed to be cut buy at least 30%. With the Tducer in the water the picture is clear and teh signal strong. Have it mounted on a battery box that gets strapped to the center console of my Cuda 12. Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted May 4, 2014 Super User Posted May 4, 2014 I bought the Piranha as well. What was nice is that it had a sensor you stick to the bottom of the kayak (inside) and it transmits down (sonar). Nothing to toss overboard. Does it work well with the transducer inside the hull? Thanks, in advance, for your answer. Quote
hookedahawg Posted May 5, 2014 Posted May 5, 2014 I use the Raymarine Dragonfly on my Jackson Big Rig. Quote
THE_Vue's Posted May 5, 2014 Posted May 5, 2014 The elite 4 hdi looks interesting. Im gonna have to do a little research on this one Quote
Henryham1 Posted May 5, 2014 Posted May 5, 2014 You don't need a fishfinder on a kayak. You maybe need a GPS for your Prius though. Quote
B@ssCrzy Posted May 5, 2014 Posted May 5, 2014 I use a humminbird 597hd di gps combo unit. Great unit and really like having a nice ff on my yak. Wish I could spring for side imaging. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.