Fish finder questions

[gnrboyd]

I have a 16' Sea Nymph FM160 with a 50 Evinrude. (Bought in fall...have not had it out yet.) The boat is used in freshwater for largemouth bass and crappie fishing in 40 feet or less. The boat had a Lowrance X20 on it. I pulled it off and bought 2 Eagle Fishmark 320 units from Cabelas. I really liked the color screens on other units in the store but they were priced pretty high. I generally buy for value and the Fishmark 320 seemed to be a nice unit for a reasonable price.

1. I mounted the 1st unit (console) and got power hooked up tonight. I still need to mount the transom transducer. I have some Blue RTV silicone gasket maker that I got at NAPA for another project. Will this be adequate for using on the screw holes?

2. I'm starting to have second thoughts about having 2 identical units and those color screens are still in the back of my head. I saw the Fisheasy 320c with color screen at WallyWorld for 200.00. It has the same vertical pixel count of 320 but the screen is smaller. I paid 115.00 each for the Fishmark 320s after coupon. Do you think the color screen is worth the extra 85.00? I know I'm not comparing apples to apples because the unit size is different and perhaps even some of the features. I've never fished with a color screen before but they sure do look appealing in the store. Any thoughts?

3. Would I be smarter to get a unit with a wider cone angle than 20 degrees for the bow? I know they advertise the Fishmark to have up to 60 degrees of cone angle if you set the sensitivity up high. I fish in a lot of flooded timber so I doubt if I want to turn up the sensitivity too much. Are there other units with wider cone angles or is 20 degrees pretty much standard?

4. Lastly, if I stay with the Eagle Fishmark 320 for the bow or even if I exchange it for another Eagle or Lowrance, I will need to mount the xducer on the trolling motor. The guy at Cabelas tried to sell me a bracket for my transom transducer but I didn't like that idea too well. I think Lowrance/Eagle used to exchange transducers if you mailed them in but not sure if they still do that. I know Humminbird has it advertised on their web site but I couldn't find it on the Eagle site. I just sent them an email earlier today but will have to wait a few days for a response. (They are probably bombarded with questions just after Christmas.)

Thank you

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fish finder questions

First I hope you understand that on a 16 foot boat you will not be able to run both units at the same time. The units will interfeer with each other if deeper than 15 to 20 feet.

Color screen really give you no more information. If set right it does make it a little eaiser to seperate rocks or hard bottoms from mud or soft bottoms. having said that my next unit will be color.

I do not think you can use your 20 degree transducer up to to 60 degrees. Problem is if you turn the sensitivity up high enough to see the -10 DB returns out in the week echo the screen will black out from the strong returns in the center of the cone. Echo form things like Air, any silt or alge. Maybe in a very clear lake like lake Tahoe where you can see down 30 feet or more.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Fish finder questions

I don't plan on using both locators at the same time so I wasn't concerned with the interference.

Is the Blue RTV silicone gasketmaker ok to use to seal screw holes?

Any thoughts on keeping the Eagle Fishmark 320 on one of the units and going with the Eagle Fisheasy 320c for about 80 bucks more?

Does anyone know if Eagle will exchange the transom mount transducer for a puck style trolling motor mount?

Thanks

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fish finder questions

I recommend a marine sealant...will expand a little as it cures. I use 3m 5200, others recommend 4200, either one will be fine. drill the hole, fill with sealant, drive the screw.

I'm kinda skeptical about the 60? angle too...I have mine set on auto sensitivity, its usually between 85 and 90, I suspect it's a bit more than 20? but not much. Based on observation while jigging a 2oz. slab. A 60? angle would give you a 17-foot radius at 30ft of depth - seems like you'd need a wider screen to accomodate all the images. Increasing it more than that just clutters up the screen too much, even with the surface clutter filter turned up.

the 320 is the best value for the $$ IMO...but if you can afford the extra $85, I say go for the color. don't have a color unit but I have fished with one...I think its better for distinguishing fish from vegetation. What features does the fisheasy not have? I'd hate to give up zoom. or the depth scale along the edge of the screen.

Why wouldn't you put the color unit on the bow? I bet both will work with either 'ducer anyway.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Fish finder questions

I really didn't look at the feature differences between the Fishmark 320 and the Fisheasy 320c. I'll probably only use the base features anyway so the screen color is the most important difference to me.

I was planning to put the color unit on the bow (IF I decide to return the other Fishmark 320 and upgrade.) I already have the first unit mounted on the transom except for the transducer. I have some blue RTV but nothing else which is why I was asking if anyone had used it for sealing holes.

Does anyone know if Eagle has a transducer exchange program like Humminbird does?

Thanks for the replys.

 

[DJ]

Re: Fish finder questions

I have a 16' Sea Nymph FM160 with a 50 Evinrude. (Bought in fall...have not had it out yet.) The boat is used in freshwater for largemouth bass and crappie fishing in 40 feet or less. The boat had a Lowrance X20 on it. I pulled it off and bought 2 Eagle Fishmark 320 units from Cabelas. I really liked the color screens on other units in the store but they were priced pretty high. I generally buy for value and the Fishmark 320 seemed to be a nice unit for a reasonable price.

1. I mounted the 1st unit (console) and got power hooked up tonight. I still need to mount the transom transducer. I have some Blue RTV silicone gasket maker that I got at NAPA for another project. Will this be adequate for using on the screw holes?

2. I'm starting to have second thoughts about having 2 identical units and those color screens are still in the back of my head. I saw the Fisheasy 320c with color screen at WallyWorld for 200.00. It has the same vertical pixel count of 320 but the screen is smaller. I paid 115.00 each for the Fishmark 320s after coupon. Do you think the color screen is worth the extra 85.00? I know I'm not comparing apples to apples because the unit size is different and perhaps even some of the features. I've never fished with a color screen before but they sure do look appealing in the store. Any thoughts?

3. Would I be smarter to get a unit with a wider cone angle than 20 degrees for the bow? I know they advertise the Fishmark to have up to 60 degrees of cone angle if you set the sensitivity up high. I fish in a lot of flooded timber so I doubt if I want to turn up the sensitivity too much. Are there other units with wider cone angles or is 20 degrees pretty much standard?

4. Lastly, if I stay with the Eagle Fishmark 320 for the bow or even if I exchange it for another Eagle or Lowrance, I will need to mount the xducer on the trolling motor. The guy at Cabelas tried to sell me a bracket for my transom transducer but I didn't like that idea too well. I think Lowrance/Eagle used to exchange transducers if you mailed them in but not sure if they still do that. I know Humminbird has it advertised on their web site but I couldn't find it on the Eagle site. I just sent them an email earlier today but will have to wait a few days for a response. (They are probably bombarded with questions just after Christmas.)

Thank you

1. I wouldn't use RTV below the water line. 3M 5200 is suited for that. It is available at Lowes, Home Depot. Wal Mart may have it.

2. Color doesn't mean a whole lot to me. It's pixels I'm interested in.

3. I would want the higher definition screen on the bow. The two identical units may interfere with each other. Not sure.

4. The trolling motor transducer bracket is a good idea. I believe they have some here on iboats (Marine Store).

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fish finder questions

Two things you'll never find on my boat. A hole in the bottom and a B&W sounder.

Going from a B&W unit to a color unit is like watching the wizards of OZ for the first time on a color TV. The picture might be the same but the color gives you an entirely different perspective of things. Things that seemed trivial in B&W really jump stand out once your colorize them.

It?s the same with a color finder. Same detail but the color brings a wealth of information to the screen.

Want to know the thermocline is? Turn up the gain and thermocline shows up as a light blue haze on the screen. What to know if your over a shell or stone bottom, just look at the color.

Once you get good at reading them you can even tell the different types of fish by the colors of the returns

 

[DJ]

Re: Fish finder questions

Two things you'll never find on my boat. A hole in the bottom

What? No drain plug? ;-)

I can't deny that color has advantages but at what cost? It sounds as if the originator has a budget in mind.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Fish finder questions

Thank you for all of your input thus far.... Here is where I stand...

1. I guess I'll have to spring for some marine sealant for the screw holes. I hate to spend 10 bucks or more for a tube for just a couple of screws. I recently sealed up my repaired trailer light (Wesbar submersible) with the blue RTV so we'll see if it holds. I guess that doesn't matter as much if it leaks since I unplug my lights anyway.

2. I'm no closer on my color or mono decision for the bow unit. It seems the responders to this post are mixed also. Yes, DJ...I am on a budget but not the typical one. Most people I know will buy the best they can afford which makes the decision easier. I can afford the nicer unit but I'm frugal and the word value comes in to play with any buying decision I am involved with. Couple that with the fact I am indecisive by nature and I'm always on the fence about a buying decision. That is why I am considering the cheapest color unit I found with a 320 vertical pixel count. As mentioned, I have already purchased 2 of the Eagle mono units because I got a good deal on them. One is still in the package.... jury is still out on if I will keep it or spring for the color upgrade.

3. I just questioned the wider cone angle because the Eagle manual said higher sensitivity settings could increase the cone angle to 60. I won't worry with this any longer.

4. I still have not heard from anyone if Eagle has a transducer exchange program. (exch transom mount for trolling motor puck style) I didn't like the bracket idea because I fish a lot of timber and the bracket makes the xducer stick down further and is more prone to getting damaged than the puck style that straps directly to the trolling motor. I've emailed Eagle but from what I hear they are not quick to respond. I guess I have some time seeing it is only about 15-20 degrees outside right now.

Oh....by the way...we all have holes in our boats besides the drain plug.... You know...it is the big one on top into which we throw all of our money......

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fish finder questions

The resolution of 320 is very good for 40 feet of water.
Keep in mind that if your care for your depth finder it will last a very long time. My 1981 Lowrance works as good today as when it was new. So I would get the Color unit and you will not be upgrading next year.

Things that I think kills or ages depth finders is temperature. For example my boat covered out in the sun gets to 140 degrees inside and that hard on a lot of componets like capacitors. Also a black unit in the direct sun with no cover get very hot.

Some dealers would exchange transducers if the unit was new and never used.

The transducer is 20 degrees at -3db and if you could use it at the -10db it would be about 60 degrees. A 60 degree transducer in 30 feet of water would cover a 30 circle under the transducer. I will never belive that can be done because the signal in the center of the cone will be over 8 times as strong as the signal out at the 60 degree circle and the pixel would always be black. Remember that any return in the cone will only light the right most row of pixels. Fishing an unever bottom you will likely see fewer fish with a wider cone angle.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Fish finder questions

I never really thought about the cone angle that way. Thanks for the explanation and the other tips. I appreciate everyone's feedback.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fish finder questions

What? No drain plug? ;-)

I can't deny that color has advantages but at what cost? It sounds as if the originator has a budget in mind.

He's talking about $85. If $85 is going to blow his budget he might want to rethink owning a boat. You know, Budget AnOther Thosuand .


BTW: My drain plug gets pulled once a year at best. Probably been two years at this point. The 3 other holes in the bottom (live well pump, raw water pump, thru hull transducer) have been plugged for sometime as well so I don't count them either.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Fish finder questions

dingbat...

Let me explain a bit further about wanting to minimize my investment.

I've owned boats in the past so I know all too well they can be costly. I have been boatless for about 6-7 years and just bought a used boat to get back into it. The motor has been rebuilt (not broken in yet) so I'm a bit nervous about it until I've had it out. I don't even know if it floats. I'm trying to be as budget minded as possible in the event there is major problem after I take it out or if I decide I don't like the ride. Still, I can't wait until spring to start fixing up a few things or I'll waste prime fishing time. I got it for a good price but I'll be budjet minded with add ons until it has proven itself on the water. Besides all that.....I'm pretty tight anway...

(1992 Sea Nymph FM160 - 1993 50 Evinrude)

 

[John_S]

Re: Fish finder questions

The Eagle/Lowrance help desk was taking a little over a week to respond via email. This was before the holidays. They were also impacted by the ice storms in OK. Delays are probably longer now with a flood of xmas gifts to answer to. The phone line took about 20 minutes to get a person, but prefer that method because the answer may generate a couple more questions. Which you can get answered on same call vs waiting another week.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fish finder questions

I have a whole shed full of equipment I no longer use because I didn?t spend the money to get the right tool the first time around.

It sounds like you already have one fish finder on the boat so why compromise and buy the lesser unit just so you have a second one on board? Anymore if I don?t have the money I go without until I can afford it.

Put just $10 a week away toward the color sounder and you?ll have the extra money you need by the Spring and a better, more useful tool in your arsenal

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Fish finder questions

Update: I finally got in touch with Eagle this morning. They said they would exchange the transducer as long as it was new. I just need to buy one from them (LEI Extras - 800-324-0045) and then when I get it, I can send the original one back and they will credit my account. I did forget to ask if they refund the shipping also. You will at least have to pay shipping one way and maybe both. If I get an answer for this, I'll update.

oh..and dingbat...I think you still have my dilemma wrong. I do have the money to buy the color finder. I'm just am having a hard time justifying it. In fact, I had the money to buy a nicer boat also but choose to get something less expensive considering I may not get as much time as I'd like to use it. (My wife thinks I'm too practical to enjoy anything...she's probably right.)​

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Fish finder questions

Update: If you want to exchange your transducer with Eagle, you will have to pay shipping both ways. You have to pay their standard shipping rate for whatever transducer you get plus your cost to ship the old one in.

In my case, the price is 59.99 on the transducer which makes the shipping 7.99. You can pay for everything up front and then they will credit you back for the unit (less shipping) when you mail the other one back. You can also just mail in the original one, with a note indicating what transducer you want along with a check for shipping and they will mail it to you. (Plus any upcharge if the units are priced differently.) I called on it today but they are out of the transducer for about 3 weeks. I don't see how a company that specializes in fish locators can run out of a current model transducer. That is crazy. It's like McDonalds running out of french fries.​