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mastertangler
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09/19/2017 07:06AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Well dog gone it.......I was perfectly happy with my depth finder until I watched a video of some guys snap jigging walleye. "Look, there's one! .........Oh, he's coming up, he's got it"!

What the heck! Guys are watching fish eat their lures! What's up with that? That guy is definitely not me. But maybe it could be? ;-)

So what should I get? I want a "smallish" (doesn't have to be tiny) Cadillac color finder. Preferably one which shows trophy fish in bright pink, glowing and blinking on and off with a few arrows pointing at the "big one". Should I get GPS capabilities so I can mark that little pile of rocks on that reef? Or will that chew up to much juice? I have an excellent power source which I am lugging around but not taking as much advantage of as I could.

Thoughts?

 
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Savage Voyageur
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09/19/2017 08:49AM  
I will start by assuming this is for canoe use in the BWCA, not your boat in Florida.

I think that you are asking the same thing as, where is the best campsite, good Walleye fishing from camp, no bugs, no other people on the lake during July, etc. They just don't exist. The new models are made for the fishermen who demand plenty of features, bells and whistles. They run on deep cycle 12 volt batteries, like your trolling motor runs off of. They have big beautiful color screens that run split screen with a GPS mapping chips, bottom scan sonar, side scan sonar, fish alerts, measures water temperatures, CHIRP. These all use a lot of power. The older units used to be better for canoeing because they were smaller and not a huge color screen. But the consumer wanted more that a tiny black and white or graph.

Here is what I did, I bought a Lowrance Hook 4 and mounted it into a small hard sided tackle box. It runs on one of those small square 12 volt batteries. For a week trip I bring another 12 volt battery. Most here would cringe at the size but it works great for me. We base camp now so weight is not a factor anymore. I will post a few pictures this weekend when I get back home.
 
walleye_hunter
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09/19/2017 09:19AM  
After ice fishing with a guy that has a Helix 7 and then fishing this summer with another guy that has a Helix 7, I know exactly what I want for Christmas.
 
FlambeauForest
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09/19/2017 10:56AM  
I prefer the price point and CHIRP of Lowrance over Hummingbird. Not to mention the free contour maps. Lowrance Hook 4 with chart plotter would be a good time up there.
 
09/19/2017 11:50AM  
I have a Helix 5 portable that I love. Its my one luxury item I take into the BWCA. Its not the smallest or lightest finder out there but it works great.
 
09/19/2017 06:46PM  
I have a cheap ten year old hawkeye. It gets you by thru hull but sometimes it is on the bow sweeping a bit forward. That and a hand held flashlight depth finder. We get by.
Personally, I'm still hoping for a Vex FL-8 black and white BW model new in box to land in my lap! :) oth
 
tarnkt
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09/19/2017 09:10PM  
quote nofish: "I have a Helix 5 portable that I love. Its my one luxury item I take into the BWCA. Its not the smallest or lightest finder out there but it works great. "


Do you use a standard 12 volt 7 Ah battery to power that? How long can you run the unit on a single charge?
 
cyclones30
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09/20/2017 05:57PM  
I'd get a Helix 5 with GPS. I have a 7 with DI and GPS and love it for boat fishing.
 
09/20/2017 11:34PM  

MT,

Lots of finders to choose from. Yes, you can get very high definition color ( e.g. 800 x 480 pixels) screens that will show you a lot of definition to clearly see fish, weeds, bottom composition type, as well mark thermoclines. Also, GPS/Chartplotter models will mark your route or track and allow you to go back over productive hot spots like weed edges or rock break lines and catch more fish. However, the more definition and GPS and bells and whistles on your finder mean "More CURRENT DRAW" which means you need a very capable battery to run these fish finders for any length of time. You will normally only see these high end fish finders on motor fishing boats and not canoes or kayaks.

Like you I would really like to bring one of these HIGH END finders up to BWCA/Quetico but you just can't realistically power them up there.

I am very partial to Lowrance products. When I go up to Quetico each summer ... I run a Lowrance X4 fish finder powered by 8AA batteries in a Pelican Micro 1010 box that is fixed to a Ram Mount on my thwart with the transducer shooting thru the hull. This X4 draws very little current compared to other models and 8 AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries will run it about 5 full days of very hard fishing and then I just add another set of 8AA batteries to run it for my next 5 days. Many paddlers can get a full week out of 8AA light weight setup on a low draw finder.

By the way the X4 is no longer made. In fact, Hummingbird and Lowrance don't make the low end, low current draw , and black and white models anymore. You may have to go on Ebay to buy one.

I guess if you go to Basswood and do not portage and do not mind bringing some heavy weight batteries along ... I think would enjoy the clarity and definition of these newer high end Lowrance units.

Let us know how you did fishing if you upgrade to one of the high end fish finders.

Lowrance Fish Finders with GPS
 
mastertangler
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09/21/2017 06:08AM  
Ahem.........The day after after I started focusing on getting a new and more powerful depth finder I came to the realization that I am supposed to get my wife a new car and give the car I had just seemingly bought her to my daughter. Everyone else seems happy at the news. I detest being in debt and suddenly turn into a bit of a miser until out. Last car I will probably get her for quite some time. Thinking about an Avalon. Anybody got one? Do you like it? Its going to be a trade, "don't complain about my month long trips and you can drive something nice" ;-)

Maybe the depth finder info provided will help someone else, i appreciate the insight but looks like I will keep what I have for at least another year.

FWIW here is the Power Pack I run on my trips (hat tip Kerry). I use it for a Lowrance x4 DSI which is still an energy pig compared to a base model (it chewed through AA's). The X4 never moved the needle on my energy Pack even after 1 month. I still would have 75% of the power left in it. I feel like I am not taking advantage of all the juice I am lugging around. Throw on top of that I was also lugging a 28 watt solar charger and all for what? Might as well have some super fancy color finder with GPS. But that might be a while now. Bioenno boasts that it ONLY weighs 12.6 lbs LOL............so if you wonder why I triple and on the way in and might even quadruple portage, now you know why.

Bioennopower
 
09/21/2017 08:28AM  
My parents have an Avalon, bought it used, think it has 200,000 miles on it no issues.

T
 
mastertangler
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09/21/2017 11:33AM  
quote timatkn: "My parents have an Avalon, bought it used, think it has 200,000 miles on it no issues.


T"


I really just wanted to get my Tundra repainted and give that to my daughter but it has 325,000 miles. On the other hand it doesn't burn any oil and has never had a problem. Tough call. Oh well, they are both absolutely delighted and I can play hero for a little while. I buy new and keep them for 20 years. Maybe I can have a good year and still get that depth finder (All things are possible to them who believe..... Keep the faith!)
 
mastertangler
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09/23/2017 05:42AM  
Whoops my bad..........The Bioennopower power Pak I linked to weighs 3.6 lbs not 12. They were comparing and contrasting their product. It is a very slick set up and I am really quite pleased with it. For someone who does long trips and precision trolls a lot the depth finder is a tool I have a hard time being without.

The initial price is steep. But I was still dropping big bucks on Lithium double AA's and going through them at an unacceptable rate. In only 4 trips it will start to pay me back so it certainly made sense. Again I thank Kerry for the leg work on this as I probably would of never come across it on my own.
 
Birdknowsbest
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09/24/2017 10:49PM  
If you want something small and more portable, get a Deeper. It weighs around 4 ounces and turns your phone screen for a fish finder. It's a pretty good fish finder, but great for depth etc. It also has a flasher for ice fishing.

For something a little bigger, but still portable I suggest the Garmin Striker 4. It is portable and has a small battery that last for 3 or 4 days depending on use. You just stick the transducer to the bottom of the canoe. It also has a flasher. It weighs around 10lbs so not light but I use it all the time on base-camp trips or other vacations where I rent a boat etc.



Deeper

striker 4 portable finder
 
SouthernExposure
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09/25/2017 05:08AM  
I picked up a Striker 4 unit this year based on the reviews from the board here. I have found it to be loaded with features (GPS, flasher, routing recorder and bright display) for such a modestly priced light weight sonar. It is also very stingy on power usage. At the same time I bought a rechargeable Bioennopower battery pack that should hold enough power for a good week on the water. I mounted it in a small drybox, drilled a hole in the box, mounted a small rubber gasket in the hole and ran the power cord through that. My next little project is to build a portable mounting bracket similar to the ones that I have seen on the board,

Good luck.

SE
 
mastertangler
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09/25/2017 06:25AM  
Southern Exposure, like your tag line, thanks for the laugh. What sort of Bienno Power pack did you get? Sounds like you are set up for moving light and fast but still with a good depth finder. That can be a good option depending on who you are traveling with.

Right now I move sort of slow due to all the stuff I bring. On last years trip I had a grandma blow past me on the portage trail and as she hit me with her cane I can still hear her....."get out of the way sonny"
 
09/25/2017 03:40PM  
quote tarnkt: "
quote nofish: "I have a Helix 5 portable that I love. Its my one luxury item I take into the BWCA. Its not the smallest or lightest finder out there but it works great. "



Do you use a standard 12 volt 7 Ah battery to power that? How long can you run the unit on a single charge?"


yeah it runs on a 12volt battery. I've used it off an on for a week, maybe 2 hours a day without needing to recharge. Not sure how long I could go because I haven't found its limit yet.

I don't have GPS on mine so that will likely be a factor. I'll run it while trolling and to find a spot to anchor up and then I'll shut it off when I'm anchored to save battery.
 
SouthernExposure
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09/27/2017 06:06AM  
quote mastertangler: "What sort of Bienno Power pack did you get?"


MT,

After doing the math for the power demand, I picked this one, with the recharger. Bioenno Power Pack

Here is the battery mounted in the drybox with foam shock absorbers.







SE
 
mastertangler
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09/27/2017 08:01AM  
quote SouthernExposure: "
quote mastertangler: "What sort of Bienno Power pack did you get?"



MT,


After doing the math for the power demand, I picked this one, with the recharger. Bioenno Power Pack


Here is the battery mounted in the drybox with foam shock absorbers.








SE"


Looks like a sweet set up.
 
09/28/2017 01:51PM  
quote SouthernExposure: "I picked up a Striker 4 unit"


How do you mount the transducer? Just place it inside the canoe on the bottom? Does hull material make a difference kevlar/royalex?
 
Birdknowsbest
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09/28/2017 05:05PM  
quote rdgbwca: "
quote SouthernExposure: "I picked up a Striker 4 unit"



How do you mount the transducer? Just place it inside the canoe on the bottom? Does hull material make a difference kevlar/royalex?"


Just stick it in the water on the bottom of the canoe. It uses a small suction cup attached to a wire. Very easy. Just detach when finished or portaging.
 
eelpout89
member (47)member
  
09/28/2017 07:25PM  
Helix 5 gps with lake master is great! Doesn't have all the lakes in b dub, but shows most every site in the wilderness. I bought an ice ducer for the unit and with a little water it reads right through the hull of my aluminum canoe.
 
walleyevision
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09/28/2017 08:53PM  
quote rdgbwca: "
quote SouthernExposure: "I picked up a Striker 4 unit"



How do you mount the transducer? Just place it inside the canoe on the bottom? Does hull material make a differenrce kevlar/royalex?"


Plumber's putty
 
SouthernExposure
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09/28/2017 09:14PM  
quote rdgbwca: "
quote SouthernExposure: "I picked up a Striker 4 unit"

How do you mount the transducer? Just place it inside the canoe on the bottom? Does hull material make a difference kevlar/royalex?"


I made a portable transducer mount out of 4" PVC pipe connector, a hose clamp and a large rubber balloon.



Dip the PVC assembly into the lake and get about 1" of water in it. Place it in the bottom of the canoe and put the transducer in the reservoir. The rubber is pressed down evenly by the weight of the water and makes solid contact with the canoe. I have personally tried it on cedar strip and polyethylene hulls and the signal appears to be strong through both materials. I have read that today's transducers shoot through most every hull material that we have canoes made of. A good feature of this is that it doesn't leave anything permanent on the hull or that needs to be cleaned up.
 
mastertangler
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09/29/2017 05:57AM  
Excellent contributions. This is especially helpful to those who rent canoes or like you say those who don't want a permanent mount. The best suggestion / set up I have seen thus far SE.

For those who DO want a permanent mount for the transducer then a dollop of silicone (hat tip Old Salt) in which the transducer is buried within works like a charm just make sure you don't place over skid plates as you will just use more power. I would imagine the plumbers putty of which walleye vision suggests is likely similar in result?
 
j hawes
Guest Paddler
  
09/30/2017 11:01PM  
My setup is simple and basically just like everyone has mentioned... I use a Hummingbird Piranha max230 and it works great. I did have it on a alumacraft and later had to make a custom mount for my wenonah... Anyways, to make things short and brief, here is a summary and some pics of my set up.

- 12V fisher finder with suction cup transducer (Piranha Max230)
-8-AA rechargeable batteries,
-RadioShack 8 AA Battery Holder
-watertight container for battery holder ( i basically use a container that was designed for cellphones and other electronic devices)
-velcro tape (holds down watertight container - removes nice and easy but has a very strong hold for portaging )
- go pro adhesive mounts (for quick and easy fish finder removal)

/Users/joshhawes/Desktop/20452038_10209938627610206_7856334990062739684_o.jpg/Users/joshhawes/Desktop/10402618_10202115231670197_3867760685769979181_n.jpg
 
joshawes
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09/30/2017 11:23PM  
 
joshawes
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09/30/2017 11:28PM  
 
joshawes
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09/30/2017 11:30PM  
I also wanted to mention i would recharge the batteries with my Goal Zero Solar Panel if necessary but Ive always i started my 7-9 day trips with fully charged batteries and never once needed to re-charge them.. I always bring extra batteries too but I never need to use them.
 
joshawes
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09/30/2017 11:49PM  
Get this solar panel, Guide 10 plus recharger and you and some rechargeable AA batteries and your set! I use it to recharge my phone for music, goal zero Rockout2 speaker, petzl headlamp, ecig, etc... It works great and can charge anything thats USB compatible.


http://www.goalzero.com/p/11/nomad-7-solar-panel
http://www.goalzero.com/p/133
 
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