Hand Held Fish Finder

[duckmaster1]

Ok, would like to get a inexpensive fish finder for my kayak, big battery is out.

But have seen some hand held fish finders that use AA batteries.

So question is, has anyone used these? or something under $100.00 and does not need a big battery to put in my kayak.

I am just wanting something that will show me that fish are there, nothing fancy.

Any help would be great.

Thank you

[gulfcaptain]

I looked at the Sonarphone from Vexilar as it's rechargeable and uses wifi.  Believe they even make an attachment that can mount to a boat or in your case a kayak.  Send the picture back to a tablet or smartphone.  They are a bit more then the $100 price point you are looking at ($130).  Here is a link if you wanted to check it out.

 

http://sonarphone.mobi/easy-buy/

[Wayne P.]

There are two versions of Sonarphone---Android and iOS.

 

The top one is on a Android tablet and the bottom one is on an iPad. Does the same with smartphones.

 

 

BTW, you won't be doing much scanning for fish holding a sonar unit in your hand and paddling.

[gulfcaptain]

Good to know they have different layouts.  Have Android systems and looking at those two pics, I think I'd prefer that one anyways.

[Dogmatic]

Just a heads up. Electronics don't need a big group 24/27 12 volt battery. 12 volt batteries come in all sizes. Some very small, that are more than adequate to run your electronics.

[duckmaster1]

Really, well I understand everyone is saying. so a fish finder may help if I am over an area and want to see if they are there.

So ther smaller fish/depth finders can run off the little 12 volt batteries?

Sorry, new at the electronics area and have no clue.

So i want something that when I find a place in my kayak to fish, i can check to see if they are down there.

Thats why did not want to go very much on price wise, but am open to all suggestions.

Thank You

[Wayne P.]

You can get a simple 2D sonar unit that will do what you want and operate on a small rechargeable battery like game cameras use. 

 

The Lowrance Elite 3X is about $100

 

There are some even cheaper than that. Look at the ones at the bottom of this page by Signstek:

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-4086401-PiranhaMAX-Dual-Fishfinder/dp/B009KA1474

[Longo]

For the guys who have used the SonarPhone or anything comparable, how do these perform?  I'm fishing out of a Yak.

[bassinOUT89]

Fishin buddy runs on 6 AA Batteries and lasts about 20-30 hours. You clamp it on, assuming you have room. It's not that big.

[Wayne P.]

For the guys who have used the SonarPhone or anything comparable, how do these perform?  I'm fishing out of a Yak.

The Sonarphone works just like any other marine sonar unit. The transducer has to have water contact to work, quite simple.

I use it for generating contour maps and adjusting map contours with Sonar Charts Live.

 

Your issue would be the environment that the display is subjected to.

[jcoholich]

I second Wayne. I use this smartphone for sonarcharts live because it automatically changes your phone/ iPad map to what is recorded when you map the area. Big deal when you are fishing big tournamnets

[junyer357]

Ive had good results with a small lawnmower size 12v battery running a hbird depth finder and small electric had control trolling motor for a half day or more depending on how much i use TM. Mine is in a small flatbottom that is about 3'×8'. The depth finder i use is a hbird 525 i think. Its the one that was on our bass boat til we upgraded to newer lowrance units front n rear.

[Wayne P.]

Sonarphone change:

 

Since I commented on the preference for the Android App, the iOS app has been changed to that format with a recent update. Some others may have agreed, which brought about that change.

 

[duckmaster1]

Well, after all the research and looking I found a new hummingbird pirahnamax 175 for $60.00 still in the case.

So bought that and a small rechargeable battery.

Thanks for the help.

[Master Bait'r]

Man I need one of those sonarphones with the pod BAD. They really work that well?? I just need a basic pic of the bottom shape for deep channels when in the kayak and that would be perfect.

[Wayne P.]

Man I need one of those sonarphones with the pod BAD. They really work that well?? I just need a basic pic of the bottom shape for deep channels when in the kayak and that would be perfect.

 

Yes, the image quality is as good as your mobile device. Download the free app to check it out like the above pictures.

 

You have three choices for the wireless transducer.

A castable "bobber" type

A permanent boat mounted model that uses boat power.

A portable mount model with battery.