How well does this work as a fish finder? It doesn't appear to have the downward/sonar scan, but does one need it with this unit?
2089791
It works really well, I am kinda old school and just want to see bottom structure and schooling fish and for this I think it works great. especially for the price! I hope this helps
2089792
Yes it is a fishfider. You can adjust the gain to tune in to your target species. I mark fish less than a pound in 100 feeet of saltwater. Pretty awsome little unit.
2089793
It does come with the external scan and it does pick up the fish plot ect But if I had a do over I would have spent another 100 and got something a little more fancy. Very plain
2089794
I use this unit on a kayak solely for depth and position. If you need a fish finder I would recommend a model that is geared more toward fish finding that has a GPS.
1529483
I've used it with a Lowrance X-4, and a Humminbird 561. It will work with any fishfinder you can splice the right end connections to (or wrap the wire ends around the terminals.) This thing will run my x-4 (simple, black and white display) for 8-10, 4-6hour fishing trips without even blinking, it is completely oversized for it, then again I have never run out of charge. It runs the bigger fishfinder for 2-3 trips before drawing it down. I bought two of these and try to keep them both charged and the spare in my truck, so if I run one down I can just paddle back to shore and swap them out, great batteries! I've used it with a Lowrance X-4, and a Humminbird 561. It will work with any fishfinder you can splice the right end connections to (or wrap the wire ends around the terminals.) This thing will run my x-4 (simple, black and white display) for 8-10, 4-6hour fishing trips without even blinking, it is completely oversized for it, then again I have never run out of charge. It runs the bigger fishfinder for 2-3 trips before drawing it down. I bought two of these and try to keep them both charged and the spare in my truck, so if I run one down I can just paddle back to shore and swap them out,... » Read More I've used it with a Lowrance X-4, and a Humminbird 561. It will work with any fishfinder you can splice the right end connections to (or wrap the wire ends around the terminals.) This thing will run my x-4 (simple, black and white display) for 8-10, 4-6hour fishing trips without even blinking, it is completely oversized for it, then again I have never run out of charge. It runs the bigger fishfinder for 2-3 trips before drawing it down. I bought two of these and try to keep them both charged and the spare in my truck, so if I run one down I can just paddle back to shore and swap them out, great batteries! « Show Less
2167811
It's a Garmin brand device. It's looks like any other transducer for a fish finder/sounder/SONAR... It mounts to the bottom of transom with the bottom of the transducer below the lowest part of the boat. It plots the bottom and shows grass. I haven't really used it as a fish finder or anything, but it's more reliable than my kid looking for shallow water from the bow. It will show in advance when you are approaching shallows and heavy grass.
1789566
Hello, I bought the fishfinder in December and have not had a chance to use it yet so I cannot answer your question. Sorry
145567
it's been excellent as a fish finder. I use it on my kayak. on board or hidden inside the hull. I purchased mine upon watching this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft8DNCgJuGM
1278898
Herb, this product is fine for it's intended use. Apparently you thought it included sonar. So, assuming you get a sonar, this is my experience: My old Coastal Navigator transom mount transducer, with some persuasion, fit inside a PVC coupler. Shaped to the hull and attached with GOOP and then filled with mineral spirits (as I recall), it worked just as well as when mounted outside the hull. Wire runs down thru the coupler cap and is sealed.
1228310
It comes with 83/200 transducer.. Im using it depths reaching more than 60 fts and still working nicely.. But im not really depending on the fish finder for fishing.
2114529
It works both as a GPS Chart plotter and a fish finder without the SD Card. The SD card slot is for the Garmin vision 2 cards that show landmarks, bottom contours etc.(They cost around $200 each)
1662829
This is crazy, in order for sonar transducers to work, they MUST be in the water. Page 18, "the transducer must be submerged in water for reliable detection". Page 32, "It is important that the mounting position allows the transducer to rest beneath the surface of the water, pointing straight down". There is another comment in the manual which states the transducer (sonar) does not work in 'air'.. I tried it, they are right.
1681122
Robert: the unit gives water temperature, depth immediately below the unit, and speed (but no compass type info). Hope that helps. Good unit. Jo
298694
The unit comes with built in charts and the resolution is high. There is no need to mount a receiving antenna as long as you mount the unit on the dash or some where out side. If you purchase the black box FF525 and a transducer it also becomes a fish finder.
1762570
This unit did not come with a GPS or maps. It does show fish, but has no fish alarms.
794294
This fish finder was designed for kayaks, canoes or a float tube, not a boat such as a bayliner. You would be better off with an economical finder that can be attached to the boat with a transom mount tranducer.
1570942
In regards to the Norcross fish finder, it only reads depths of 100 ft, so I guess it would work if your closer to shore or in bays.
1723725
I use it to spot fish ahead and to the sides of my DRIFTBOAT. Most of the rivers are less then 20' deep. For my application, it's great. :)
1356441
If you bought the same unit I did the 83/200 didn't provide the downscan and HDI promised. Had to buy the HDI transducer after the fact. I called Lowrance and asked them about this. The guy I talked to said some people don't want the HDI downscan feature of the unit. I said really? Why would you buy an HDI finder if you didn't really want it? Anyway, no. Hook up the new transponder to your unit and keep the old one if you plan on adding another finder to the bow on a trowling motor etc... I'm thinking of selling the 83/200 on e-bay or my local shopper for the ice fisherman. The angle of the transducer is also important. need to play with it a bit. great unit, enjoy!
1102351
Two things....one is it's ability to "sound" the bottom. In other words, it provides the depth of the water below the boat. It also locates fish activity, also known as a fish-finder.