Fish finders take a lot of the guess work out of fishing, which helps make it even more enjoyable. It’s a piece of equipment most boaties can’t live without. But with so many options on the market and ever-changing technology, the process of choosing a fish finder can be overwhelming. Having installed hundreds of fish finders over the years and talking to numerous boat owners, we’ve got the expertise to help. Fish finder technologyFirst things first. Before you decide on the best fish finder for you it pays to have a basic understanding of how they work and the sonar technology behind them. Sonar technology works by sending out sound waves as pulses or pings. But how does a sound wave translate to the images we see on our fish finder? That’s where the transducer comes in. How does a fish finder transducer work? The critical component of any fish finder, the transducer is the piece of equipment on the back of your boat (or underneath your boat) that is responsible for detecting fish or other objects in the water. It does this by sending electrical signals, converting these into sonar waves which hit the object in the water and reflects back to the transducer, which converts these into the images you see on your screen, or ‘processor’. Transducers are most commonly transom mounted but they can also be thru-hull mounted, which is a slight more expensive option. Transducer frequency The frequency that the fish finder transmits will have a bearing on the type of image displayed. If you tend to go out wide into greater depths, you’ll want a fish finder with low frequency 50 - 100 kHz and a wide cone angle. For shallower fishing a higher frequency – up to 200 kHz gives you optimal detail. Higher frequency means that your transducer is sending and receiving more sonar waves. Remember this rule of thumb: higher frequency means more detailed image, lower frequency provides a broader image but less detail. Dual frequency gives you more flexibility depending on whether you’re in deep or shallow water. Transducers also have varying degrees from 9 to 60 degrees but most commonly for a standard fish finder these will be 20 degrees. CHIRP sonars You may have heard a lot about CHIRP technology – it’s a new buzz word in the fish finder world. CHIRP stands for Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse, which essentially describes how this technology transmits long-duration pulses (as opposed to a ping) with a higher energy output. They can transmit both high and low frequency at the same time. The result is a crisp image, a more accurate and a precise picture with individual fish group definition. Types of fish findersFinding the right fish finder often comes down to your budget, the type of boat you’re mounting it on and how you like to fish. We can help you work out the best fish finder for your budget and your boat. Here are some of the most important options that you’ll need to decide on. Imaging options From 2D to 3D resolution to side or down imaging, there are a lot of options when it comes to fish finder images. Let’s help you navigate these. It goes without saying, it pays to get the highest resolution for your budget as this will give you the nice crisp images. At the lower end you have the 2D sonar which is the traditional cone shaped sound wave. At the higher end you have 3D imaging. Side imaging, provides an image from both the port and starboard side of the boat, meaning it covers a large area (up to 240 feet on each side). This type of imaging is good for shallow water or trolling. In contrast down imaging provides a detailed picture of deeper water, through a thin column of high frequency beams. Some units include both offering greater flexibility depending on where you fish. GPS/chartplotter combos Combining fish finder and GPS technology just makes sense. It means you can navigate and determine your geographical location while locating fish at the same time. Importantly this equipment helps you to chart your ‘spot x’, so you’ll always be able to come back to your fishing hot spot. You also have the safety and surety of knowing where you are at all times, so you’re more likely to venture out wide. They work by adding a propriety brand of SD mapping card – e.g. C-MAP Enhanced Inland and Coastal mapping. Brands The most common brands we supply are Simrad, Garmin and Lowrance Fish Finders. It really comes down to personal preference as the technology offered is consistent across brands. Screen size From 5”, 7”, 9”, 12” and 16” – there are plenty of options to suit the size of your boat. Our advice is to go for the biggest screen size your boat can handle as that just makes it easier to read. There are even portable options for kayak fishing. Battery usage When installing a new fish finder an important consideration is the battery draw of your unit. So how long will a battery run a standard fish finder? It depends on the size of the battery and the other marine electronics that are drawing form it. As a guide, a standard 7” fish finder will draw 2-6 Amps per hour. See our battery health guide for more information. Your Marine Technician can guide you on your specific needs. How to mount your fish finder for optimal boatingOnce you’ve chosen your preferred unit, the next step is to mount it. You’re going to spend a lot of time looking at and using your fish finder so it’s important that it’s easily viewable and within easy reach while you’re at the helm. You can either flush mount or bracket mount your fish finder, depending on your boat. Also consider where you mount the transducer for optimal reading. Some boaties who are handy on the tools may choose to install their fish finder themselves, however we always recommend using an experienced Marine Technician. If it’s not done correctly the first time it can be expensive to fix. As the name suggests, a side imaging fish finder uses a transducer that shoots two sonar cones sideways on each side of the boat. In summary The best way to choose a fish finder is by deciding what sonar technologies you’ll need, as well as the size of your budget. We’re happy to advise you in the best fish finder for your needs. Talk to the team today, or check out our range. Want to keep learning?
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7/9/2022