7 sonar fishing: how to choose the characteristics, pros and cons

Sounder is a technical device for determining structural features of the bottom of the water column display and identify fish. The device will be useful for both beginners and professional fishermen. The operating principle of the device is based on the emission of the ultrasonic signal in the water and reverse conversion of the reflected ultrasonic wave into an electric pulse. After processing signals received from the sonar data are displayed on the meter display.

How to choose a sounder

The modern market of fishing equipment offers a range of sonars range It includes wired and portable sonar models for coastal and winter fishing, as well as for fishing with boats. To select the most effective device to be guided by the technical parameters, which have a major influence on the performance of the sonar. Secondary selection criteria affect the usability of the device.

important parameters

• Transmitter power - an indicator directly affect the quality of the received signal. The higher the power, the more accurate will be a picture of the underwater world.
• The frequency converter - a parameter dependent on the depth and width of the scanned area. When selecting the frequency should be considered a way of fishing. High index will provide a detailed picture on the minimum depth, while the low-frequency converter allows to scan the bottom at great depths, the image quality will not be as clear.
• Sensitivity - a characteristic that affects the receiver's ability to catch waves, the rate is directly related to the capacity of the device. Insensitive device will not be able to capture strong signals too sensitive - will create noise on the screen. Therefore it is better to choose sounder with sensitivity adjustment.
• The number of rays - low-end models are usually equipped with a single beam echo sounders in the arsenal of expensive - from 4 to 5 different frequency beams. The greater the number of rays, the more extensive and complete picture on the bottom of the display.
• Display features - well-chosen screen will allow you to review the data in detail. color and monochrome screens can be used in the design of echo sounders. Color displays must have anti-reflective coating, the number of shades of gray in monochrome models should not be less than 4.

secondary criteria

• echolocation maximum depth;
• the presence of the temperature sensor;
• way to mount the transducer;
• additional features;
• design of the device.

Specifications and features of the top 7 best sonar models presented in the review.

Sounder Garmin STRIKER 4

Chartplotter STRIKER fourth generation of the Garmin - a worthy assistant angler. Sonar transducer design incorporates CHIRP and sonar DownVu, through which the device transmits a detailed view of the reservoir bottom and aquatic life at depths greater than 220 meters. Chartplotter, fishfinder has a storage function of waypoints and routes.

Specifications

• food - wire;
• display - color HVGA;
• resolution - 480x320 pixels;
• diagonal size - 3.5 inches;
• Transducer Output Power - 200 W;
• maximum radiated power - 1600 W;
• geometric parameters - 9,16h15,08h4,28 cm;
• Sonar Weight - 0.23 kg;
• number of beams - 2;
• number of frequencies - 3;
• frequency radiation - 50/77/200 kHz;
• limiting the working depth - 488 m.

Benefits

• easy push-button controls;
• compact size;
• Waterproof and dust-proof housing;
• a highly sensitive built-in GPS;
• built-in sonar;
• easy to read color screen;
• as character display;
• a wide range of settings;
• cold start in 40 seconds.

disadvantages

• high energy consumption;
• considerable cost;
• delayed reaction to the change of the course of movement.

Sounder Lowrance HOOK-3x

Wideband sonar sonar is equipped with the enhanced signal processing. Scanning device HOOK-3x able to accurately determine the location and type of aquatic creatures, in detail to transmit data on the relief structure and the bottom, the water temperature display. The device is not only clearly separates objects in the water, but also suppresses noise interfering determine the location of the cluster of fish stocks.

Specifications

• food - wire;
• dimensions of sonar - 9,4h14,3h4,7 cm;
• Transducer Power - 180 W;
• Display - TFT, LCD Color;
• resolution - 320x240 pixels;
• screen diagonal size - 3.5 inches;
• number of beams - 1;
• beam angle - 60 degrees;
• number of frequencies - 2;
• - frequency 83/200 kHz;
• permissible operating depth - 244 m.

Benefits

• 11 modes of LED-illumination screen;
• ease of use;
• Russian menu;
• high performance;
• monoblock waterproof casing;
• dual frequency sonar;
• symbol indication in the form of fish;
• sound notifications;
• temperature sensor;
• extensive settings menu;
• convenient and strong attachment;
• acceptable price.

The drawback - the lack of built-in GPS navigator.

Sounder Humminbird PiranhaMAX 197c

Simple and functional high chartplotter from Taiwanese manufacturers allows you to see space deep under the boat, sonar provides information on the thickness and water temperature, structure bottom. The device is mounted on the transom, beeps when the waypoint and detection of fish. Modern anti-glare color TFT-LCD produces razor sharp underwater space.

Specifications

• food - wire;
• geometric parameters - 11h15,5h8 cm;
• power output transducer - 300 W;
• display - color TFT;
• resolution - 320x240 pixels;
• Monitor diagonal - 3.5 inches;
• number of beams - 2;
• total beam angle - 44 degrees;
• number of frequencies - 2;
• operating frequency of radiation - 200/455 kHz;
• limit scanning depth - 183 m.

Benefits

• backlit keys;
• high contrast sensor;
• water- and dust-proof housing;
• ergonomic design;
• temperature sensor;
• sound notifications;
• Built-in flash memory;
• dual beam sonar Dual Beam;
• clear menu;
• high power device;
• menu in Russian;
• metric parameter;
• attractive price.

The drawback - the lack of navigation.

Sounder FishHunter Directional 3D

Wi-sounder flasher can be used for catching fish with a shore and boatsAs well as for ice fishing. Compatible with mobile application FishHunter for Android and iOS, smart device is adapted to form the float, after throwing in water chart plotter provides a three-dimensional image of the water column, the bottom structure and water inhabitants. Information from the three-wave sensor is transmitted to the display smartphone or tablet by WiFi.

Specifications

• food - built-in battery;
• Transducer Output Power - 100 W;
• chartplotter weight - 0.18 kg;
• the number of measuring sensors - 5;
• total beam angle - 80 degrees;
• number of frequencies - 3;
• operating frequency of radiation - 381/475/675 kHz;
• limit scanning depth - 50 m.

Benefits

• compact size;
• original appearance;
• autonomy;
• functionality;
• volume detailing water bodies and bottom topography;
• LED-display;
• temperature sensor;
• battery indicator;
• sound alarm;
• function to create custom maps;
• waterproof cover for the storage device in the package.

Drawback - the price.

Sounder Deeper Smart Fishfinder 3.0

Throw-in water smart chart plotter Fishfinder 3.0 scans and transmits information about the structure of the bottom, water temperature, depth, and the presence of fish. A smart device is compatible with operating systems iOS, Android, data transfer to a plate or smartphone performed by Bluetooth application. Sonar is shaped like a ball of 65 mm diameter, suitable for fishing with the boat and the shore may be used for ice fishing.

Specifications

• food - Li-ion built-in battery;
• the chart Weight - 0.10 kg;
• measuring the amount of radiation - 2;
• the total angle of - 70 degrees;
• number of frequencies - 2;
• operating frequency of radiation - 90/290 kHz;
• limit scanning depth - 40 m.

Benefits

• compact size;
• low weight;
• the original design;
• watertight shock-resistant casing;
• portability;
• broad functionality;
• temperature sensor;
• economical charging power;
• intuitive mobile application interface;
• Package includes storage pouch with belt carbine.

disadvantages

• lack of navigation;
• maximum casting distance sonar no more than 50 meters;
• dependence of the operating range of the features of your mobile phone or tablet;
• price.

Sounder LUCKY FF1108-1

Chart plotter LUCKY FF1108-1 budget represents a device for catching fish with boats. Portable sounder allows controlling the movement of aquatic life through the scale to determine the distance to the fish shoals, diagnose depth and structure bottom. Operating temperature range sonar -20 to +70 degrees makes it possible to use the fishing gear at any time of the year.

Specifications

• power - 4 size AAA batteries;
• geometrical data - 12h6,5h3 cm;
• the chart weight - 0,173 kg;
• type of display - high contrast monochrome LCD;
• screen size - 2.1 inches;
• resolution - 128x64 pixels;
• measuring the amount of radiation - 1;
• beam angle - 45 degrees;
• number of frequencies - 1;
• working radiation frequency - 200kHz;
• limit scanning depth - 100 m.

Benefits

• affordable price;
• stand-alone operation;
• LCD-backlighting the display;
• a waterproof housing;
• economical use of energy;
• battery indicator;
• audible warning when approaching fish;
• Boat sturdy mounting;
• symbol indication in the form of fish;
• neck strap and soft carrying case for storage sonar supplied.

disadvantages

• the lack of GPS-module;
• batteries are not included in the product package.

Sounder Rivotek Fisher 30

The functional capabilities of portable sonar Fisher 30 from the brand Rivotek classification of certain relief, density and distance from the bottom of the fish depth scale change in an automatic mode, temperature indication water. Sonar transducer is in the form of the ball, its weight does not exceed 0.073 kg, wireless sensor provides a very wide viewing angle and are ideally suited for coastal fishing.

Specifications

• power - 4 size AAA batteries;
• the chart weight - 0,150 kg;
• dimensions - 12 × 7,6 × 3 cm;
• type of display - monochrome black and white;
• screen diagonal - 2.4 inches;
• resolution - 128x96 pixels;
• measuring the amount of radiation - 1;
• beam angle - 90 degrees;
• number of frequencies - 1;
• working radiation frequency - 433 kHz;
• limit scanning depth - 36 m.

Benefits

• wireless transducer;
• excellent visibility;
• low weight;
• small size;
• The aerodynamic shape of the sensor;
• intuitive interface;
• impact resistant and waterproof;
• built-in temperature sensor;
• 10 levels of sensitivity;
• backlight.

disadvantages

• It does not provide GPS-navigation;
• considerable cost.

Modern fishfinders, chartplotters are designed to improve the efficiency of fishing, the device It will help you find places where fish quality prozondiruet bottom surface and characteristics aqueous medium. Active sonar will be indispensable for lovers of fishing.