Jann Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 Is there anyone using handheld sounders like Hawk Eye DF2120PX (in particular)? What are your experiences using them while icefishing? DO they work properly, any problems etc? Jann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatnik13 Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Why would it be any diffrent on the ice? Or are you planning on getting one just for ice fishing. I don't know of a finder that can't be used. This year I'm going to try the underwater camera (aqua-vu)> its lite and uses a small battery pack. Do you know that you can scan the water depths without or befor you make a hole in the ice with any transducer?.I'd rather have a bigger unit with more pixels than the palm size fishfinders if given the choice. Just thought I would add a fact and thow I don't own a mini finder type that your refering too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann Posted January 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 I?ve used my Garmin 100 with good results. This handheld I was refering to just shows the depth (and fish - but with a symbol it isn?t worth much anyway). My Garmin showed the icethickness too on the display, shooting through 60 cm of ice without any problem as long as the surface of the ice was smooth. I used to have it transportable, but I have bought a bigger boat and it is permanently aboard. This is how I used the Garmin before. And the image produced looked like this. Note that the first sequence shows the transducer ON the ice, then I moved it to the hole just to show the difference (described at my homepage). The handheld should be easier to use when icefishing. Is it reliable, does it shoot through the ice well. If not, is there any tricks for it etc etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Splash Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 If the ice is not smooth, you can get good contact with the transducer by chipping out a small depression and fill it with a bit of water. Submerge the face of the transducer and you will get a good image. I would add that some units have different power levels (khz???) and some are more acurate at shallow depths than others. Cone angle should be matched to your fishing conditions as well. A wide angle transducer cone angle is better for shallower water, as it will show you more of the area below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatnik13 Posted January 25, 2004 Report Share Posted January 25, 2004 I hate this subject! Depth/fish finders don't read correctly under 3ft depth or less. Your best bet is suppose to be a narrow angle transducer(8deg.) according to the books on the subject,more consentration on the location below you . The reason for the use of the fish ICON is because that is what the Icon was created for(still fishing). If your not moving and you don't have the Icon on then you'll get just a straight line reading indsted of fish arcs.So you have a choice> Icon or flasher unit. Flasher I believe is the best ice reader . It cost more for the better Items. As for a standerd finder> you just need to carry a thermos of HOT water and put some on the surface and then place the transducer on it. Just enough water to fill the air void between the ice and your transducer. Or as the previous post mentioned... Handheld models > your going to give up power,pixels and the big screen (100 model vs hand held) but then I'm not going to put these units of choice down,I just wouldn't do it myself if given the choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maze Posted January 31, 2004 Report Share Posted January 31, 2004 They will work ok-well depending on a few variables, how clear the ice is and unit power for example. Most guys use them to shoot through the ice to get an idea of the depth at a given location. Wipe away any snow and then pour some water on the ice to give a better transmition. Hope that helps. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
