TRANSDUCERS

[loubeer]

I am looking for feedback from the forum and thanks in advance for your posts.

I am in the midst of upgrading the sonar capabilities on my 2003 330 Express. I have two Simrad MFD's, one a 12" NSS Evo 3 & the other a 9" NSS Evo 3s. I'm having an in-hull Airmar B150M CHIRP transducer installed right now, with a range of shallow to 600'. Most of my fishing in SoCal is in that range, with targets being Pelagic species (tuna, yellowtail, etc.) and fairly shallow species (halibut, calico bass, sand bass, etc.). I'll install a second thru-hull transducer (replacing the current, on its last leg non-CHIRP B60), when I haul out in February for annual service. I am really looking forward to experiencing the CHIRP technology, which I didn't have with my old transducers.

Comments on CHIRP technology? Any advice/recommendations on the second transducer? Is the down-scan feature worth considering?

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

The transducers designed exclusively for mid water pelagics are the ones with a W (for wide) on the end.
They have a much wider cone to show more below the boat but are not the best for bottom fishing as the wide cone diameter show too much bittom what makes it difficult to know where fish is.

For your fishing for pelagics one of them would be the best option, B175HW, if you need to go deeper than 500ft, then the B175MW

CHIRP works well on shallower depths and it's nice to have, but honestly i think it's overrated as i run same time two frequencies on my Garmin 8412 and the difference is not always noticeable and sometimes i prefer a fixed frequency, not CHIRP.

If your Simrads can use a twin frequency band transducer then the B275LHW would give you both of both worlds
Low Chirp or fixed frequency for extreme depth but also in 100ft+ perfect to pinpoint fish due the small cone
High Chirp or fixed frequency for extreme wide coverage under the boat to find pelagics

Chris

 

[loubeer]

The transducers designed exclusively for mid water pelagics are the ones with a W (for wide) on the end.
They have a much wider cone to show more below the boat but are not the best for bottom fishing as the wide cone diameter show too much bittom what makes it difficult to know where fish is.

For your fishing for pelagics one of them would be the best option, B175HW, if you need to go deeper than 500ft, then the B175MW

CHIRP works well on shallower depths and it's nice to have, but honestly i think it's overrated as i run same time two frequencies on my Garmin 8412 and the difference is not always noticeable and sometimes i prefer a fixed frequency, not CHIRP.

If your Simrads can use a twin frequency band transducer then the B275LHW would give you both of both worlds
Low Chirp or fixed frequency for extreme depth but also in 100ft+ perfect to pinpoint fish due the small cone
High Chirp or fixed frequency for extreme wide coverage under the boat to find pelagics

Chris

 

[loubeer]

Thanks Chris. The first transducer is an M - medium. My electronics installer said it was a good compromise for shallow and deep water (note that I rarely, if ever, fish deeper than 250 ft). I believe the Simrad NSS3s has twin frequency capability, so your suggestion of the B275LHW may be a good one!!!

 

[SkunkBoat]

There is a lot to consider when choosing a transducer.
Not just CHIRP and Frequency and power
Look at SIZE. Bigger means bigger ceramic element(s) and that means more transmit power and better sensitivity receiving echos.
The difference is usually 5 or 10 times the sensitivty as you go up models. Bigger is ALWAYS better but not always viable. Bigger is $$$$$$.
Look at the Hole size. Will it fit? Where will you put it? Where is the old one? Do you have to fill an old hole?

The B60 has a 2-3/8" hole. None of the tilted CHIRPS fit that hole.
Its actually not a bad thing to have. Old school dual channel 50/200khz 600W. You might consider keeping it. Its a good compliment to your new B150M
Its going to read bottom if your looking for rockfish and lingcod in 400'

The B150M is the smallest, low end model. 300W single 95 to 155khz sweep. I would call it a coastal, shallow water transducer.
I would have suggested a B175MW orHW or at least a B75M
Now that you have a "M" transducer you don't want to get another one in the same frequency range.

I'm not familiar with SIMRAD but I'm sure they have a Sidescan feature on the NSS. Maybe they make a thru hull Sidescan that you could mount centerline or get a transom mount.
Then at least you get to use the full features of the sonar you paid for.
I am a big fan of sidescan for finding wrecks and rocky structure in 200 feet or less.

The B275 is a GIANT dual frequency thru hull with a fairing. Its 22" long. $$$$$$ It will fit on a 330.

If you have not looked at Airmar's site, spend an hour or five reading about the available CHIRP and Tradtitional(CW) offerings.
AIRMAR CHIRP

Tilted CHIRP single

B60 brochure

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

I agree with what SkunkBoat wrote

Side-Scan is a very valuable and often underestimated tool for bottom fishing and i use and love it from when i installed the first one back in 2008.
I will install a GT51M transducer this winter and still deciding where to install as side-scan transducers need obviously have free view to both sides.
Best solution would be 1 GT51M-TH thru-hull center keel but it probably interfere due turbulence with the B265LH
Second solution would be the twin GT51M-THP one on each side of the keel, stbd side probably on the GW transducer mounting pocket, the other on opposite side. Moste expensive solution as two transducers are needed, but they can be installed more or less freely.
Simplest solution would be the GT51M-TM on the transom, just stbd side of the gar plug, but if the B265LH is keel mounted like mine the GT51M.TM may suffer bad reading at speed due turbulence from the in front mounted B265LH.
Not sure about the 330 Express bilge access, if the B265LH can be installed center keel but about mid boat then the transom mount should not be a issue.
Also, the use of side-scan is usually at low speed to get best readings and not oversee structure and then the turbulence from the B265LH should be nil and for speed above planning speed the B265LH is used.

The below photo is my B265LH with the fairing block.
It was installed by a installer ex owner contracted.
Before i found mine i checked out a 2000 306 Bimini and owner had the transducer glassed in, flush to hull and no fairing block what will reduce drag a bit.
However i don't see problems to install it on a 330 Express what is not trailered, if on a trailer then clearance need to be verified toavoid that transducer hit the trailer.
The fairing block need two holed, the bigger 1-3/16 for the treaded stem and a smaller 172-13 one in front of the fairing to avoid that fairing can turn.

 

[MarineBob]

We do mostly bottom fishing in water less than 69-80 feet depth. My Garmin unit does a great job but am still at a loss to figure out how to best get the benefits from the available side scan. Anybody got a good reference/video that might get me in the right direction to get the most from the feature?

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Here we go:

Side-Scan is great to find structure as you see on the side of the boat and it show the bottom like a video, but not so great for finding fish, but wheres structure there is in most cases also fish.
For finding fish but not really structure the Garmin LiveView, Panoptix are the better choice.

Chris

 

[loubeer]

Here we go:

Side-Scan is great to find structure as you see on the side of the boat and it show the bottom like a video, but not so great for finding fish, but wheres structure there is in most cases also fish.
For finding fish but not really structure the Garmin LiveView, Panoptix are the better choice.

Chris

 

[loubeer]

I’m not familiar with Garmin LiveView. I have Simrad and they have a feature called DownScan, requiring a specialized transducer. Are they the same??
For Simrad, it’s a sonar image but more three dimensional than the normal sonar image. Is this imaging more of a visual gimmick than actually useful for finding fish targets??

 

[MLC]

I have a 2005 330 with 2 - 12 inch evo 3s. I installed a b275 l-hw centerline under the mid berth where the forward bilge was located. I moved the bilge pump and float forward on each side of center on 2 small epoxy pads I made. I also installed a tm 3 in 1 just a couple inches off center to accommodate the drain plug. To my surprise both transducers work great hooked up. I installed the tm to locate structure at trolling speed only. The 275 was for deep dropping down to 1500’ and tuna fishing in up to 4-500 ‘. It shows bottom to 3000’ +/- My 2 cents is whatever depth you are targeting fish requires a transducer capable of twice that depth in bottom detection as that’s all they do at that maximum depth. Good fish, structure,etc reveal usually max’s out at half the maximum depth in my experience.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

I’m not familiar with Garmin LiveView. I have Simrad and they have a feature called DownScan, requiring a specialized transducer. Are they the same??
For Simrad, it’s a sonar image but more three dimensional than the normal sonar image. Is this imaging more of a visual gimmick than actually useful for finding fish targets??

For me it's a gimmick but others find the clearer and detailed view of DownScan useful, Garmin has the same and it's called DownVü.
I would guess that Simrad has side-scan too and you should be able to use either a Simrad branded or some Airmar transducers, but you would need to verify that with a Simrad pro.

LiveScope, Panoptix are side and/or forward facing sonars showing structure and fish swimming around, including your bait/lure getting attacked by them.
Very useful for shallow water, but not sure how well it works for depths you are fishing, not do i know if Simrad has something sinilar. Humminbird has a 360° side-scan sonar Mega360 but same it's mainly for river and lake use ans depth are limited.

Chris

 

[SkunkBoat]

I have Garmin so, as was said , things are called Clearvu vs Down scan and Sidevu vs Sidescan. The other mode is "Traditional" as in "Old School red blob"

I rarely use the Clearvu(DownScan). Mostly because never got used to it. It is useful for when on a wreck. I have seen some nice fish marks next to a wreck using clearvu. I keep telling myself to start using it more and get used to it...
Old school red blob doesn't tell you much except that you are on it or close to it. Clearvu shows sharp lines of the edge of the wreck (when you are moving). It can show separation of individual fish vs a red blob. When looking for schools of bait, I prefer the red blob vs individual dots.

Sidevu (SideScan) is fantastic. A game changer for finding wrecks and rocks. You have the sonar, get the transducer.

I usually use a 3way split screen of Chart,Traditional, SideVu when bottom fishing.

 

[fishtalk]

@MLC or anyone else have pictures of a transom transducer install on their 30-33ft Gradys? I’m considering adding an Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer that I have on hand to compliment my B175M thru-hull (installed by prior owner, would have gone HW if I were purchasing).

My thesis is the side scanning will mark tuna or other pelagics while trolling offshore (very poor man’s Omni). Curious if anyone has found success.

 

[wspitler]

Mounted GT-56 with the Sternmate system cantilevered over the garboard plug so I still have access to to remove it if necessary. Centerline on the keel. Works good for sidescan at off plane speeds. Driven by GPSMAP 1243xsv. Outstanding sidescan at lower speeds, motors don’t get in the way.