Transducer ????

[kingfisher 11]

Is the split 50/200 KHz transducer a must when you fish in waters up to 150'?

Anyone have pro or cons they would like to imput on?

I am coming real close to ordering a Lowrance LMS 335C DF graph. I can't find anything that has the combo and options I like for the money.

Anyone have one of these new graphs? They have 500 watts RMS
4000 watts peak to peak power.

Thanks
Bob

[wildcoy73]

no need for a split tranducer the 50 will read well into 600 feet of water alone. all i can say is you can't go wrong with a lowrance product they will stand behind anything they build

[kingfisher 11]

Most of the standard transducers are 200 KHz. I will buy the dual just to make sure I have the best of both worlds.

Thanks for the reply Wildcoy73





Bob

[Steven Arend]

200 kHz and 50 kHz. Transducers

The 200 kHz frequency has a 12° cone angle and the 50 kHz frequency
has a 35° cone angle.

The 200 kHz, which is best for use in shallow water
(about 300 feet or less).

When you get into very deep water, 300 to 500 feet or deeper, the 50 kHz frequency is the best choice.

The 200 kHz transducer will give you better detail and definition, but
less depth penetration. The 50 kHz transducer will give you greater
depth penetration, but a little less detail and less definition.

There an exception to this rule of thumb. Some fishermen using downriggers like to see them on the sonar. In many of those cases, you'll see a 50 kHz transducer frequency in use because the wider cone angle lets them watch the balls.

Steve

[kingfisher 11]

So on the Lowrance is there a setting I can change when I want to go to the 200 or 50 KHz?


I do like to see the cannon balls

[Steven Arend]

Yes on the Lowrance LMS 335C DF graph on the settings screen you can change between the 200 kHz and the 50 kHz.

Steve

[bluedevil]

Bob,
I would have to assume that the LMS 335C would have a split screen option where you can see both 200 and 50 khz. I have a X85 and that has that option but I dont have the 50 khz transducer.

[kingfisher 11]

I did not know that.

I guess Matt, I will have to take you out so you can teach me to use the thing. I have heard you can switch from 50 to 200 KHz. Having the split screen to run both is nice. I figured the split screen would only be for the Mapping/GPS and fish graph.

I have done lots of reseaching and comparing and I still like this one for the money. New this year it has lots of upgrades and boost in power.

I have not bought a new graph in 8-10 years so this should be fun.

[mcanes1]

Bob,
I'm not sure, but I believe the dual freq. transducer for your unit is the same one that goes on my x15. Stay away from them, they're junk. I'm on my 4th one in 3 years. This subject (dual freq. trans.) has been brought up in the past with a lot of negative reviews. There's a thread currently on www.glangler.com that has a ton of negative reviews about this transducer. I've had mine replaced so often, that I just give my name and address and they send me a new one within a few days without having to send the bad unit back. The only gripe I have is when I'm skinning my knuckles to re run the cables.
Shoot me a p.m. if you want more details.

[kingfisher 11]

I read all the bad tranducer problems on the glangler last night. If I would have known that, I would not have bought the dual. It was too late, I ordered it Monday and installed it today. From what I read the 15's seem to have the biggest complaint. Some have stated it could be the high powered graphs that seem to have more problem.

I will just cross my fingers and hope I am one of the lucky ones. When I picked it up at the store I told the owner my concerns with it. ( my son works at this store also) He said keep the receipt and and watch for any problems. He said he would help me if I have any problems. I even stopped at Bass pro shop and asked the gentlemen behind the electronics counter about the tranducer problems. He said a few have been returned. He did say he sells tons of the lowrances and on comparison the number of returns for the tranducers have been small. I had already told him I bought one so he was not doing a sales pitch.

If this one goes I will get a 200KHz transducer.

Running the transducer and speed indicator was the slowest part of the installation so far. I even tied strings to my old cables so when I pulled them to the back I had a string to tie new cables to. That way I could fish the new ones back to the front.

Now I need to figure out how I am going to mount the GPS module and where. I fired it up and everything worked except the gps that is not properly installed. I had it connected but was in a garage. Do you guys mount your GPS module on a antenna base?

The new color screen is sure nice.

[mcanes1]

When I bought my boat, I had the dealership add the lowrance and accessories on. My module was installed in front of my dash on the side rail, near my antenna.
Not trying to scare you, but I've had to had the module replaced as well. I was out on a big lake with fog that rolled in, when it quit working. Talk about hair raising experience.
The signs I get that my transducer is going are I will get black lines running vertically across my screen, and it'll lose the depth with the depth number flashing.

Good luck!

[kingfisher 11]

Rich
I have a handheld Garmin GPS that I have been using for about 5 years. I plan to keep this onboard because I have too many waypoints stored that I want to have access to.

I am almost done on all the mounting. I hope since this is one of the newest models and designs I will get lucky and have no problems. At this point I don't have a choice.

I had heard guys swear by them and some swear at them. I will just have to watch everything while its under warranty. From what I have heard, after the warranty, Lowrance is still replacing transducers.

The graphics are sure nice.

Bob

[mcanes1]

I bought a Rhino 120 this past winter that I'm going to start taking along as a back up. Other than the transducer issues, I like my Lowrance. Any time I have a problem, I call a certain rep. in Customer service and I'm usually only on the phone for 5 minutes and have a new transducer being sent right away.

See ya at the P.S. outing next month.

[kingfisher 11]

Rich
I may need that reps name and extension!

I have not been to Port Sanilac since this spring. The fishing has been so poor there its not worth wasting the gas to go over there.

I may have to do one trip over there just so I can locate the fish for the tourney.

Bob

[mcanes1]

Bob, I sent you a p.m. with the guys name. But your box is full.
The guys name is Lance, he's in the electronics customer service. Just go thru the 1-800# and go thru the automated service to reach his dept.

[kingfisher 11]

Rich
I emptied it.

I called the service center just to double check the wiring for the GPS module.


Everything for the the Lowrance is done now.

Now the big job of putting a downrigger mounting plate across the back. Going with a piece of aluminum. Mounting four riggers on it.

[mcanes1]

When I bought the boat, my salesman showed me what he used on his boat. They're called "eagle claws", I can get more information if you're interested. I mounted a wolmanized 2 x 8 to it for my riggers. I'm running 2 cannon mag 10's and 2 manual cannons off of it. I added 2 more side boards that run towards the front of the boat. Which is where I put my salty rod holders for my dipseys.
No holes drilled into the boat either. It rest on the side rails of the boat, it's hard to describe how it works. They were $45 3 years ago.

[kingfisher 11]

I am building my downrigger boad (plate) myself with a little help from a friends usage of his machine shop. I am a tool maker by trade.

I plan to make everything out of aluminum. The mounting plate will be 3/4" x 6" x 86" I drew up blue prints (plans) for it this morning.

The bases will all be made from aluminum also, with SS bolts.

I have everything but the 86" plate and that should arrive today.

I will be also mounting 2 mag 10's and 2 manual cannons. I have only fished with to riggers for as long as I have fished the big waters. I just find two many times in the fall where I can only fish riggers and they seem to be the hot ticket.

Boy, my new Lowrance GPS aquires as soon as I turn it on. Even when I have the boat in the garage. It would usually take my garmin 3-5 minutes and I had to be in the open.

If my plate don't come in I am going to just get out with the two riggers and give the new graph a go.

[mcanes1]

I wish I had the time and patience, to fiddle around with my Lowrance, there are so many options.
Where's a reasonable place that I can pick up some aluminum blocks. I'm looking to make some bases for my salty rod holders, I need 8 - 1.5" x 2.5" x 5" blocks.
I work in the plastics industry and don't have a clue where to find aluminum, might try looking in the Thomas registry.

[kingfisher 11]

Rich
I will get you some quotes from a few steel suppliers.
How soon will you need them if you decide to buy them?
Just for the record, Alro steel, Withers steel and Carpenter steel come to mind right now. Alro in Flint would be one of the closest spots for you.

I set in my boat while in the garage and played with the graph a few times. I know what you mean about all the options on those things. I bet I will only use a fraction of whats on there.

Bob

[mcanes1]

Hey Bob, no rush. I'm also having our tooling engineers calling our mold makers, to see what's out there.


Thanks

[mcanes1]

Bob, I found some aluminum blocks here at work, now I'm trying to convince the General Mgr., that G.M. really doesn't need these gage fixtures. :lol: