Fish Finder??

guido99 · May 27, 2009, 16:41:45 CET

@Shanook if you are looking for a real fishfinder go for a Furuno fcv 585 or else a koden equivalent, cost is approx $1300 for the unit and another $750 for the right transducer (Airmar m260, b260) , also factor in shiiping ( circa $100 ) + local charges = vat @18 percent minimum on cost + shipping. Just my $.02

shanook · May 27, 2009, 18:49:31 CET

guido what depth will I get with a 1kw transducer and the furuno 585

The_Gaffer · May 27, 2009, 18:59:57 CET

Tony, with a 1kw trasducer you should be alright for 1,000mtrs+. I have the Furuno 420 with a 600W Transducer and I can pick up the seabed clearly at 650/700mtrs. Deeper then that and the F/F gets intermittant signals. Also, you can maximise by switching to manual and playing around with the gain button.

shanook · May 27, 2009, 19:09:50 CET

(Opps sorry) Joe, do u get to know the type of bottom with the 600W at 700mtrs, or just the depth reading. I dont expect that the transducer 600w can see fish at those depths, but if it can show u the seabed if rocky or sandy at those depths its more than enough.

The_Gaffer · May 27, 2009, 19:26:59 CET

Tony, sorry for the mistake in the model. Its a furuno FCV620. The fishfinder is rated at 800mtrs maximum, but I've never got a depth reading beyond 700mtrs. I can however pick up the seabed conditions (sandy or rocky) at 650mtrs and any fish, structures when I zoom in on the seabed. This particular model has the zoom in feature. Also, I quite enjoy the digital feature this model has, which helps adjust gain, STC clutter and output power as this allows for a clearer picture which is easier to dicipher due to the filtering capabilites as well as the gain adjustments.

guido99 · May 27, 2009, 22:07:54 CET

The Furuno fcv 585 is a 1kw unit and has a max depth of 800m (this is really dependant on choice of transducer and proper installation), the best transducer you can get for the unit is the Airmar m260 for an in hull installation or the b260 for a thru hull, however the thru hull involves fitting a massive fairing block of about 22" in lenght, not too many of us fancy sticking something that resembles a 22" model boat to our hull.
Specs are same for both transducers. Pdf data sheets attached, depths quoted in data sheets are quite conservative.

LapsiBoy · May 28, 2009, 09:03:06 CET

I think 800 metres is more than enough even 600, I mean if an electric reel doesnt reech those depths and you dont have a winch its nearly impossible to get something out of that depth. But still once you buy something it will be there.
I was going to buy the furuno, but what i dont get is. they tell you they reach a max depth of say 1500metres but the trancducer is only rated for 300 metres. Maybe they mean to say that they can take a trancducer of max 1500 metres?

The_Gaffer · May 28, 2009, 09:51:05 CET

Agreed guido99. I have the airmar b260 thu hull with the blue aircraft carrier (fairing block) attached to the bottom of the hull. My only complaint with this massive fairing block is when I'm either pulling or launching the boat from the road trailer. One needs to be careful not to strike the fairing block with the trailer sides that stabilise the boat!!!

busumark · May 28, 2009, 13:27:43 CET

the new lowrance hds are broadband fishfinders and with a 600w you are supposed to see 1000 mtrs to the limit. and with a 1 kw u see 1500 mtrs.

skip · May 28, 2009, 15:10:24 CET

Hmm I have the 527c with the 600W transducer, its basically the same model as the HDS 5 and I can't say that I can see down to 1000m at 50Hz

fishfinder · May 28, 2009, 16:10:02 CET

I bought the HDS5 and Simon from Caruana Marine Centre told me that it should read up to 800metres with the normal transom mount transducer.

skip · May 28, 2009, 20:40:03 CET

Maybe need to clarify that the transducer I have is the std transom mount unit that came with the Lowrance kit. Not an aftermarket Airmar or similar.

I believe but will have to double check that I was in around 500m of water at 50Hz and didn't get a depth signal

shanook · May 29, 2009, 20:45:11 CET

I just got the HDS5 gps/sounder........ When I try it out will let u know........

Moonwalker · May 29, 2009, 21:36:56 CET

With the best 1kW transducer you can read only up to 700-800m in sea water. Take note that some suppliers give range of fresh water not sea water which has much less penetration.

busumark · May 30, 2009, 09:18:07 CET

my friend a furuno about 10 years old a very big unit like a tv. i dont know how much is the transducer is strong but we read depths of 850 metres