Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Depth finder upgrade
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mastertangler |
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. |
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nofish |
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. " 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. |
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mastertangler |
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 |
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timatkn |
T |
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mastertangler |
quote timatkn: "My parents have an Avalon, bought it used, think it has 200,000 miles on it no issues. 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!) |
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cyclones30 |
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j hawes |
- 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 |
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joshawes |
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joshawes |
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joshawes |
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joshawes |
http://www.goalzero.com/p/11/nomad-7-solar-panel http://www.goalzero.com/p/133 |
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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? |
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eelpout89 |
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Wally13 |
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 |
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overthehill |
Personally, I'm still hoping for a Vex FL-8 black and white BW model new in box to land in my lap! :) oth |
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mastertangler |
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 |
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. |
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walleye_hunter |
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FlambeauForest |
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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? |
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nofish |
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walleyevision |
quote rdgbwca: "quote SouthernExposure: "I picked up a Striker 4 unit" Plumber's putty |
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SouthernExposure |
quote rdgbwca: "quote SouthernExposure: "I picked up a Striker 4 unit" 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. |
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mastertangler |
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? |
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Birdknowsbest |
quote rdgbwca: "quote SouthernExposure: "I picked up a Striker 4 unit" 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. |
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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 |
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SouthernExposure |
Good luck. SE |
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mastertangler |
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" |
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mastertangler |
quote SouthernExposure: "quote mastertangler: "What sort of Bienno Power pack did you get?" Looks like a sweet set up. |
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Birdknowsbest |
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 |