I am planning on buying a fish finder in the near future. I would
like a small, portable, unit since I usually do some fishing on canoe
trips that involve portages.

Units that appear to be suitable:

Hummingbird Piranha series
Hummingbird Smartcast RF30 (Wrist Unit) or Mobile Station
Hawkeye/Norcross FF3300PX
Eagle FishEasy 2
Eagle Cuda 128
Garmin 80
Garmin 120
Others?

Anyone have any recommendations or warnings on any of these fish
finders, or others?

Anyone have any recommendations for other forums in which I might ask
the same question?

TIA

On 30 Jan 2004 08:24:45 -0800, Stephen Kormilo wrote:

I am planning on buying a fish finder in the near future. I would
like a small, portable, unit since I usually do some fishing on canoe
trips that involve portages.

Units that appear to be suitable:

Hummingbird Piranha series
Hummingbird Smartcast RF30 (Wrist Unit) or Mobile Station
Hawkeye/Norcross FF3300PX
Eagle FishEasy 2
Eagle Cuda 128
Garmin 80
Garmin 120
Others?

Anyone have any recommendations or warnings on any of these fish
finders, or others?

Anyone have any recommendations for other forums in which I might ask
the same question?

TIA

Last summer I bought a Bottom Line "Sidefinder 1200". It is powered by a
bunch of D cells. It uses both down and side transducers. I use it in a
canoe for both fly and spin fishing. So far, it's a real success.
Accurately tracks fish and bottoms and seems to be able to differentiate
between the two. I really like the ability to easily point the side
transducer and wouldn't buy anything without that after having used one.

What it's done for me is to quickly check out so-called "hot spots".
Doesn't mean you'll catch anymore fish, but saves time in fishing places
where the fish aren't. It seems to be accurate horizontally out to about
50 - 70 ft. Vertically, I haven't found the limit, but I seldom fish the
really deep spots.

The only thing it lacks that I'd like is the ability to run off a 12v deep
cycle battery, but I haven't thoroughly investigated that possibility. (I
often use a battery in the canoe to power a little electric trolling motor)
--

Larry
email is rapp at lmr dot com

How many D cells, Larry? Adapting it is as easy as a 3-terminal
regulator IC to make the proper output voltage to match the D cells.
6 cells - 9 volts - LM7809 regulator. Too easy!.....Bolt the
regulator to a little heat sink on the battery case.

http://www.chipdocs.com/pndecoder/da...TC/LM7809.html

Mouser has the Fairchild MC7809CT for the princely sum of $0.36 each.
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?hand..._pcodeid=51238

Use an MC7806CT, same price, if it's got 4 D cells, 6V....
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?hand...uctid =208762

Keep the heat sink isolated from negative battery. It's hooked to the
+ battery input! The ICs will sink 1A continuously....lots more than
the little sonar uses.



On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 01:32:00 GMT, Larry wrote:

On 30 Jan 2004 08:24:45 -0800, Stephen Kormilo wrote:

I am planning on buying a fish finder in the near future. I would
like a small, portable, unit since I usually do some fishing on canoe
trips that involve portages.

Units that appear to be suitable:

Hummingbird Piranha series
Hummingbird Smartcast RF30 (Wrist Unit) or Mobile Station
Hawkeye/Norcross FF3300PX
Eagle FishEasy 2
Eagle Cuda 128
Garmin 80
Garmin 120
Others?

Anyone have any recommendations or warnings on any of these fish
finders, or others?

Anyone have any recommendations for other forums in which I might ask
the same question?

TIA

Last summer I bought a Bottom Line "Sidefinder 1200". It is powered by a
bunch of D cells. It uses both down and side transducers. I use it in a
canoe for both fly and spin fishing. So far, it's a real success.
Accurately tracks fish and bottoms and seems to be able to differentiate
between the two. I really like the ability to easily point the side
transducer and wouldn't buy anything without that after having used one.

What it's done for me is to quickly check out so-called "hot spots".
Doesn't mean you'll catch anymore fish, but saves time in fishing places
where the fish aren't. It seems to be accurate horizontally out to about
50 - 70 ft. Vertically, I haven't found the limit, but I seldom fish the
really deep spots.

The only thing it lacks that I'd like is the ability to run off a 12v deep
cycle battery, but I haven't thoroughly investigated that possibility. (I
often use a battery in the canoe to power a little electric trolling motor)
--

Larry
email is rapp at lmr dot com


Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 05:27:55 GMT, Larry W4CSC wrote:

How many D cells, Larry? Adapting it is as easy as a 3-terminal
regulator IC to make the proper output voltage to match the D cells.
6 cells - 9 volts - LM7809 regulator. Too easy!.....Bolt the
regulator to a little heat sink on the battery case.

Hi Larry,

Actually, I was wrong. It uses 3 "C" cells (not "D" - I just checked),
but you're still correct - a three terminal regulator set for 4.5 volts. I
suppose I could fit a dowel assembly with contacts and bring the
connections out through something reasonably waterproof. The reg would
probably have to be outside, though, as it's likely to throw off a bit of
heat, don't you think?
--

Larry
email is rapp at lmr dot com

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 16:26:53 GMT, Larry wrote:

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 05:27:55 GMT, Larry W4CSC wrote:

How many D cells, Larry? Adapting it is as easy as a 3-terminal
regulator IC to make the proper output voltage to match the D cells.
6 cells - 9 volts - LM7809 regulator. Too easy!.....Bolt the
regulator to a little heat sink on the battery case.

Hi Larry,

Actually, I was wrong. It uses 3 "C" cells (not "D" - I just checked),
but you're still correct - a three terminal regulator set for 4.5 volts. I
suppose I could fit a dowel assembly with contacts and bring the
connections out through something reasonably waterproof. The reg would
probably have to be outside, though, as it's likely to throw off a bit of
heat, don't you think?
--
The reg would be barely warm, probably not using a heat sink at all.
Use an LM7805 or MC7805 5V regulator and it'll work fine......



Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....

(Larry W4CSC) wrote in message ...
How many D cells, Larry?

Big snip....

Looks like I have another unit to consider.

I too would like to know how many D-Cells the unit requires, as well
as how long the unit operates on one set.

TIA,

Stephen Kormilo

On 31 Jan 2004 10:39:49 -0800, Stephen Kormilo wrote:

(Larry W4CSC) wrote in message ...
How many D cells, Larry?

Big snip....

Looks like I have another unit to consider.

I too would like to know how many D-Cells the unit requires, as well
as how long the unit operates on one set.

TIA,

Stephen Kormilo

3 "C" cells. I got it near the end of the season and used it three times.
Probably used it for a few hours each session. Still on the first set of
batteries, and I carry a spare set, but I'm definitely going to build a
small regulator and use the 12v trolling motor battery.

This battery life indicates to me that it isn't particularly powerful, but
as I recall it was supposed to do something like 200w peak. I don't think
you need much power for fishing, however, at least in the northern lakes
where I fish as there isn't much activity below the thermoclines and they
are usually around 30 - 40 ft. or so. Horizontal distance is pretty much
limited by how far you can cast.

I'd get some other opinions as well since it's the middle of winter and
you're not likely to use it for a while. For me, it was an impulse
purchase, but it's worked out very well.

Good luck
--

Larry W1HJF
email is rapp at lmr dot com

Larry wrote in message . ..

3 "C" cells. I got it near the end of the season and used it three times.
Probably used it for a few hours each session. Still on the first set of
batteries, and I carry a spare set, but I'm definitely going to build a
small regulator and use the 12v trolling motor battery.

Sounds like a good plan

snip....

I'd get some other opinions as well since it's the middle of winter and
you're not likely to use it for a while.

Other opinions are what I'm looking for, but yours is the only one so
far. BTW, haven't you heard of ice-fishing? ;-) Another reason to
look for a portable unit.

For me, it was an impulse
purchase, but it's worked out very well.

Good luck

Thanks.