fishfinder data interpretation

[Oldcrank]

I have a trolling mtr with an integrated transducer.  Since I can change the position of the transducer how does that affect the orientation of data displayed on my fish finder screen.  I realize the sonar cone does not relay specific location but can I make assumptions about where objects are in relationship to the boat ie left, right, front etc.?

[Wayne P.]

Like many novices using LCR sonar units, you assume that the display is like a TV screen with a picture of the bottom. It is not, and the display just shows what is directly beneath the transducer and all that is within the cone shaped beam. There is no left, right, front, or back. Those directions are determined by the direction your boat is moving. Only the first verticle colum of pixels on the very right of the display shows what is beneath your boat in real time. Everything else is history.

A example of what is displayed is to go into a dark room, shine a flashlight on the ceiling without looking at the room walls. What is within the beam on the ceiling is what your sonar beam would show of the bottom except that the display will only show everything in the round beam as a straight verticle column of pixels.  

[Garnet]

The 1 reason I kept the external Transducer is you can angle transdcer a little right and know that all fish are to the right of the boat.

Garnet

[Team_Dougherty]

I have a trolling mtr with an integrated transducer. Since I can change the position of the transducer how does that affect the orientation of data displayed on my fish finder screen. I realize the sonar cone does not relay specific location but can I make assumptions about where objects are in relationship to the boat ie left, right, front etc.?

http://www.lowrance.com/Support/Tips-and-Tutorials/Sonar-Tutorial/

http://www.lei-extras.com/tips/sonartut/fisharches.asp