"portable" kit for graph?

[icedperch]

I have a Eagle Accura 240 graph that I use during the summer. I can't swing getting a flasher.

Anybody have any ideas on how to make this into a workable ice finder? Are there cases out there? How do you mount the transducer? Are there Ice transducers available?

Any help would be great.

And I know, the best fix is to buy a Vexilar!

Thanks

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Simply get a small rechargeable 12v battery and your transducer(or buy an extra one). Put it in a small plastic tool box to carry around. I did just that with an old hummingbird I had.

[THE BAIT SHOP GUY]

I run an older Eagle Ultra, about the same size as your 240. I got one of those round cases that the Vexs come on. They used to come with a positioning arm that you could set at any angle so you can use your standard boat transducer. I don't think they come with the arm anymore but you can get them from Vexilar. I just had to drill a hole at the end of the arm to attach the transducer with a mounting screw. I also added a Johnny Ray mounting base so I could turn the unit to the left and right for better viewing. Add a rechargable battery and you're ready to go.

[The Whale]

Here's a pic of my "portable graph" kit. A couple of six volts in series and viola !

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/1180my_portable_graph.jpg?7517

Works outstandingly. Turn off the cartoons, use your manual settings. This one is a "Piranha 5" Hummingbird. I watched my minnow bounce on the bottom last year at Hubbard in 50' of water. Cheap and easy.

Whale :D :cool:

[live2fishdjs]

I do something similar to Whale. I have a portable Hummingbird that I use in Minnesota out of a canoe. I mount the transducer on an old wooden tip-up (slight modifications) and am able to put it in holes around me while I watch the screen where I am sitting (the cord is fairly long). Works on (2) six volts. The only hassle is 1-not rechargeable and 2-when it gets really cold it moves really slow, afterall it is Liquid Crystal.

Tip-Up

[The Whale]

For REAL cold weather that may slow down your L.C. graph, turn the "light" on, it helps to warm the pixels. :)

Rechargeable batt. is the way to go, just haven't dropped the $20.00 for it yet.:( :rolleyes:

I'll take my $125.00 graph against the $350.00+/- Vex anyday.

Whale :D :cool:

(this should be interesting !;) )

[ih772]

I used to take my LCD graph out on the ice with me before I bought the FL-18. I just made a support for the transducer out of some 1/4 inch threaded rod and a 1/2 inch (trade size) conduit clamp. I also used a 12 volt gell cell battery to power it. I figured out that if I kept my coleman lantern somewhat near it, the radiant heat would keep the battery and LCD screen from getting too cold. Just set a fast scroll speed and turn the fish id off. You can see your bait and fish move in real time. They won't look like arches. They will look like continous lines scrolling from right to left. Jig your bait up and down and see how the line moves up and down in a "wave-like" pattern. Fish will look like a line that moves up or down at a steady rate.

[The Whale]

Exactly !


Whale :cool:

[ih772]

Whale, Which graph are you using? Just curious to see if it's that same one I have.

[The Whale]

ih772, it's a Hummingbird "Piranha 5". An extra graph I had laying around from a smaller boat I sold off last year. Figured I'd put it to use for iceing. Works well. I do need to pick up the rechargeable battery though, the pair of six volts gives me a solid 14 - 18 hours of great performance though, and that's keeping it in the back of the truck in the cold when not in use. Tough on batteries, ya know. I mainly use it on the Bay, don't get many chances for panfish anymore on the inland lakes. I do miss that though.

Whale :cool: