One of my friends was recently choosing between Humminbird fish finder and Lowrance fish finder. He asked me about different fish finder features. That is why I chose to write this article about the features you may look at when choosing your ideal fish finder. If you are interested in other fish finder features you may want to read my previous article about fish finder displays.
POWER
Transmitter power is important in choosing a fish finder. Generally, the more powerful the transmitter, the greater the chance of getting a return echoes in deep waters or less than optimal water conditions. Basically, it produces a louder signal which will allow you to see things like bait fish and structures in better detail.
If you'll mostly be fishing in shallow waters, then transmitter power may not be on the top of your priorities when selecting a fish finder. But on the other hand, even if you're fishing in freshwater, there's a good chance that mud, sand and vegetation on the bottom will absorb and scatter the sonar signal, reducing the strength of the return echo. In other words, it's better to be in a situation where you can simply dial back the amount of power you need than to not have enough power when you need it.
Fish finder manufacturers express the strength of transmitter power in watts; but some will use the term "peak to peak," while others use RMS (Root Mean Square). "Peak to peak" can be a little misleading because it's basically a number based on numerically high values instead of RMS which is based on averages. So don't assume that a high "peak to peak" rating is more powerful than a lower numbered rating expressed as RMS.
SONAR FREQUENCY
By now, you've probably noticed that choosing the right fish finder depends a lot on knowing where you'll be doing most of your fishing. When it comes to frequency options, you'll have two options 50 kHz or 200kHz (some manufacturers will have 192kHz but basically there's "low" and "high.") Each has its own advantage and it's up to you to decide which option works best for the kind of fishing you do.
The rule of thumb when it comes to sonar frequency is to use the higher frequencies (192 kHz - 200 kHz) primarily for freshwater applications because you'll typically be dealing with shallower waters.
Generally, higher frequencies gives the best detail, typically shows less "noise", and works best in shallow water and at speed. Target definition is also sharper with these higher frequencies. This is the ability to show two fish as two separate echoes instead of one single mass on the screen. In short, it works well for depths of less than 200 feet (60 meters) and when you need to get an accurate reading while moving faster.
There are some applications where a 50 kHz frequency is preferable though. 50 kHz sonar (under the same conditions and power) can penetrate water to greater depths than higher frequencies. This is because, water absorbs sound waves at a slower rate for low frequencies and the signal can travel farther before becoming too weak to use. That's why you'll usually find 50 kHz used in deeper saltwater applications.
The beam angle is also typically wider for low frequencies, which means the outgoing sonar pulse has a wider cone and is better at viewing a larger area under the boat. However, this also means less target definition and greater susceptibility to noise. Although low frequencies can see deeper, they may not give you a clear picture of the bottom.
If you think you'll be fishing in both freshwater and saltwater environments, you can find fish finders which allow you the best of both worlds by being able to switch frequencies from 50 kHz to 200 kHz. Be prepared to shell out more money though.
TIP: Don't forget to match the frequency of your transducer to that of the sonar unit's. You simply cannot use a 50 kHz transducer or even a 200 kHz transducer on a sonar unit designed for only 192 kHz or the other way around.
A transducer must be able to withstand high transmitter power impulses, converting as much of the impulse into sound energy as possible while being sensitive enough to receive the faintest of echoes. Choose wisely and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Ensure you choose the right fish finder for your budget with the features you want. If you want to know more about Humminbird Fish Finders or Lowrance Fish Finders visit my blog today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Norris
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