CarpForum Thread : Echo sounders : Carp Fishing Forum




[Log-In] or [Register]	Advertise to thousands of anglers a day! Click HERE to see how



Home	Search		Help / FAQs	Rules / Usage

Who's Online	Member List	Articles	Gallery	Weather

New Posts: 0

Echo sounders
[Log-In] [Register]

Calabro

Posts: 335

#13 22 Aug 2020 at 8.44pm

In reply to Post #12
The element is heavier indeed, but on the other hand you can log the water much quicker with side scan. Doesn't that save you battery in the end?

Baza1075

Posts: 549

#12 21 Aug 2020 at 11.11pm

In reply to Post #1
I was using a raymarine 5 pro until last year when I changed for an element. The 5 pro is a great unit but the element has many more features, side scan, 3D and custom page settings. Both are easy to use. The element uses a bit more power and is heavier

Calabro

Posts: 335

#11 21 Aug 2020 at 11.25am

In reply to Post #9
Guess that's one of the best units to start with for carp. I used it a few years for pike fishing and their OS is extremely user-friendly. Most carp anglers go for the Dragonfly because it is still most marketed (and affordable), but after about 8 years since its introduction it is very much a basic unit that lacks most novelties out there. The company has introduced the Elements last year as its new (affordable) flagship. Starting at 7", it features 3d side scan as well. If you are willing to spend a few quid extra, I would really go for that. It is the unit that you will see most in marketing over the next few years and it has a ton of features you really do not want to miss on Cassien.

LochLondon

Posts: 182

#10 20 Aug 2020 at 9.17pm

In reply to Post #6
Comments on the Aquascope seconded- they are mega bits of kit for finding spots within a spot and for checking rigs and how they landed etc. Have a 6ft rod with a small reel loaded with braid to check the spots that are too deep to see- I think it’s called donking the lead along the bottom. Can’t go wrong!

carpe_diem

Posts: 1980

#9 20 Aug 2020 at 7.28pm

In reply to Post #1
I have the Raymarine dragonfly pro , was about £380 IIRC , it’s an amazing bit of kit , it has truly blown me away with the detail it produces on screen , you can actually make out mussel beds etc on the bottom .
You can use your tablet with it if you have one too wirelessy so you can get a bigger picture of the screen , works up to around 100 yards too

Calabro

Posts: 335

#8 19 Aug 2020 at 2.31pm

In reply to Post #7
Ah, I can imagine your fishing developing in a certain direction then. I have never fished a lake where boats were banned

mere--man

Posts: 571

#7 19 Aug 2020 at 8.32am

In reply to Post #6
For the most part in the uk all of my fishing has been on lakes where bait boats and dinghy are banned, traditional style if you like. In fact I’ve never fished a water where your allowed out in a boat bar the one I’ve just got a ticket for, everything is done with a rod and line and the odd bit close in with waders. Massive contrast to fishing in Europe but I like it that way. I’ve got a scope already, few other bits aswell, I tend to go once maybe twice a year abroad if I’m lucky so tend to do one big purchase each year for it and slowly build up better kit with knowledge aswell.

Calabro

Posts: 335

#6 19 Aug 2020 at 0.11am

In reply to Post #3
It always puzzled me why that is in the UK. You spend huge amounts on baitboats, but very little on sounders. There's very few authors that write about them too. We have that in Holland as well, but much less so. Guess it has to do with boats being banned on day ticket venues?

As regards the Garmin units: some are pretty basic indeed, but I just mentioned some different models in different price ranges. Garmin would be my last choice too. That Panoptix is something else though, but I sure as hell can't afford it.

Btw: try complementing your sounder with an aqua scope and a prodding stick (unless you have them, ofcourse). They will catch you tons more fish at very little expense.

carpe_diem

Posts: 1980

#4 18 Aug 2020 at 8.37pm

In reply to Post #3
I personally wouldn’t touch some of the Garmin finders , look at some of the reviews on YouTube , calculated Clear Vu instead of an actual down/side image , makes interesting watching

mere--man

Posts: 571

#3 18 Aug 2020 at 7.17pm

In reply to Post #2
Thanks for the detailed reply, it’s something I’m not very knowledgeable on, big expanses of water abroad they seem to be imperative, given me something to think about that’s for sure, In fact the ones you recommended go way beyond what I knew was available so will have a more in depth look at those.

Calabro

Posts: 335

#2 15 Aug 2020 at 4.05pm

In reply to Post #1
That question is almost impossible to answer. The market for echo sounders is highly diffuse atm. Different brands copy technologies, with minor differences and patent those technologies under different names. What happens, then, is that they all offer the same kind of options, with different names. I use a Humminbird 7 myself, which Ifeel really gives me an edge compared to basic units, specifically because of its mapping features and side-imaging.

You should have some basics on your unit if you want to get more functionallity compared to, say, a standard Lowrance Hook or Raymarine Dragonfly. First, make sure you get something like downscan (or comparable technologies), meaning you get the best possible view of contours, objects and fish. Second, get a unit with sidescan (or comparable technology). This will enable you to see not only below your boat, but also to its sides (up to about 30-40 meters.

You could also look if the desired unit supports live mapping. I can imagine that creating maps could be very valuable if you want to get the most out of your Cassien trip. Be sure to check out whether any additional purchases are required though. Humminbird, for example, supports "mapping for free" but you'll end up having to buy additional cards to unlock the most important features, and you'll need to upload and do stuff on your laptop to have good maps.

Finally, if you really want the best possible image, check out Garmin panoptix or lowrance livescope.

Some good units i fancy:

Raymarine elements (very user-friendly)
Raymarine Axiom
Humminbird Helix (si, ds, gps)
Lowrance HDS
Garmin

mere--man

Posts: 571

#1 5 Aug 2020 at 9.35am

Would like to upgrade my echo sounder for my boat, currently using a cheap lowrance Job, does the basics, and well, but have since seen others using some more sophisticated bits of kit that seem to aid where to place baits. Identifying weed, harder bottoms etc, it’ll mainly be used for day trips at Cassien and some not work on a big pit close to home. Any recommendations at all, price range can vary, it’ll get used a lot the next few years so don’t mind investing, have seen ray marines on sale, not sure on how good they are. Any help appreciated.


	Reading ALL pages




Stickies General Discussion Sponsor Posts/Updates CarpForum FishIns Tackle Reviews Rigs Bait Catch Results Venues (UK) Venues (Foreign) Classifieds FAQs and Help Feedback to CarpForum NON Carp Stuff	Consent Preferences Advertising disclosure
© Copyright 2002-2025 - www.CarpForum.co.uk	contact : webmaster@carpforum.co.uk