[Birdnest Bob]

I see the Hummingbird Portable 535 fishfinder is on sale. I've often wondered how effective these kinds of portable fishfinders would be for small craft, such as canoes, but can't find any 'real' reviews anywhere. Does anyone have any experience or tips on portable fishfinders? Do they work? Are they worth the money? Any brands, models or features you recommend?

 

[marko]

The only main difference is the battery baring much of the added cost. Propper placement of the transducer
is key to ensure an accurate reading.

One other thing I would consider is atri-transducer giving you a wider view. best for shallow
lakes and steams between 50-100 feet

:beerchug: Mark

 

[professori]

There was at least one extensive thread on this already. Search in Gear reviews forum. http://www.bcfishingreports.com/forum/index.php?topic=5351.msg47720;topicseen#msg47720

 

[Birdnest Bob]

Thanks guys. I'll look more into it.
Prof, I've read over the posting you suggested. Thanks for that. Just wondering how well the screen is for you to read in the daylight? For example, my MP3 player's screen is really hard to see in the sunlight, and I imagine it is similiar technology?

 

[Rogue0412]

Thanks guys. I'll look more into it.
Prof, I've read over the posting you suggested. Thanks for that. Just wondering how well the screen is for you to read in the daylight? For example, my MP3 player's screen is really hard to see in the sunlight, and I imagine it is similiar technology?

I own the Hummingbird 535 and am quite happy with it. Viewing the screen in sunlight has never been a problem. You can use the lid as a cover if you have to but I have only had to use the lid when it is raining to keep screen dry.

Rogue0412

 

[steve]

I have a eagle as well and it works quite well. I ended up using the bigger 12V batteries. That way WHEN I leave it on there is still enough jam to last the rest of the week. I don't tend to use them as a fish finder but to find the right depth and the temp features are nice as well as the suction cup transducer.

 

[professori]

Yeah, I have3 the eagle Cuda as well. I really like the suction cup transducer for the pontoon boat. Get a couple of yards outr into the lake and then just reach under the boat and stick it on the bottom of the toon. It occasionally slips off, but if my depth suddenly drops from 12 feet to 68 feet and I don't appear to be moving, I just pull in the wire until I get the transducer in my hand and then just reattach it. I have never had any trouble with the screen in the sunlight. Remember, these units aren't your MP3 player, they are designed to be used in the sun.

 

[steve]

I went and bought another transducer for the unit with a longer cable on it and if I am in less than 20' I will "un-suck" the transducer and let her down to see the water temps lower in the water. A little trick to find what the water temp is where the fish are!

 

[professori]

I went and bought another transducer for the unit with a longer cable on it and if I am in less than 20' I will "un-suck" the transducer and let her down to see the water temps lower in the water. A little trick to find what the water temp is where the fish are!

How much longer is the cable? Where did you pick it up?

 

[steve]

It is the cable for the fix mounted version ( roughly 5 ft longer) and an extension ( 10' long) you can get these at any store that carries eagle/lowrance products...I believe I still have some 10' extensions in stock....I'll check and let you know tomorrow! just a note that some dielectric grease and heat shrink are requirements so that the extension joint doesn't get full of water and short!

 

[Barba]

I see the Hummingbird Portable 535 fishfinder is on sale. I've often wondered how effective these kinds of portable fishfinders would be for small craft, such as canoes, but can't find any 'real' reviews anywhere. Does anyone have any experience or tips on portable fishfinders? Do they work? Are they worth the money? Any brands, models or features you recommend?

On this site you can find a lots of info, comparison and rewiews about FF:

http://www.fishfinder-store.com/

Cheers, :cheers:

B.

 

[Birdnest Bob]

Thanks again everyone. I sure like the idea of the extension to see the water temperature below.

 

[Keepa]

I've used the Piranhamax 215 for a couple fo seasons now, works well, good battery life and not too expensive.

 

[ta2d1]

not that there's anything wrong with using a fish-finder (I've thought about it a couple of times). But isn't it more fun to try and find the fish without one? I mean a bad days fishing is better than a good day at work, right?

 

[professori]

not that there's anything wrong with using a fish-finder (I've thought about it a couple of times). But isn't it more fun to try and find the fish without one? I mean a bad days fishing is better than a good day at work, right?

Most guys will tell you that they are using the finder to find depth and bottom structure rather than to find fish. I know mine often tells me there are fish were none exist, but it is always accurate about the depth and bottom make up. That is the real strength of having a finder.

 

[Kuma]

Prof's got that right. I also like using google earth as it sometimes exposes shoals. A great example: White Lake near Salmon Arm. I was able to determine what parts of the lake were accessible by tube and where the shoals were. Often, you'll find that the fishermen are more tight-lipped than the fish and when you want to explore new places, tech helps.;-) I don't think that's cheating.

 

[Decks]

I also have the Eagle Cuda and just tie the transducer to a rope off the back end of my boat. Anyone have any tips to get the suction cup to stick to the back end of a really dirty aluminum (besides the obvious cleaning it)?

The Cuda's great btw.

 

[stone]

I also have the Eagle Cuda and just tie the transducer to a rope off the back end of my boat. Anyone have any tips to get the suction cup to stick to the back end of a really dirty aluminum (besides the obvious cleaning it)?

The Cuda's great btw.

My transducer is going on the EMO with a special bracket. Bought the bracket for $9 at Cabelas. This way it's secure and no need to drill holes on the transom.

 

[Nicole]

These newly designed Fishin' Buddies are well worth looking at...

http://store.humminbird.com/csonar-csonarBuddy.html

Humminbird redesigned the guts to be more reliable, and added a nice TFT colour screen option as well...

We'll have one at the Fraser Valley Show next weekend, come grab me if you want a demo!

Cheers,
Nicole

 

[stone]

Wow...I didn't realize that Humminbird bought out Bottom Line.