Echo sounder for winter fishing, which one to choose?

Want to buy an echo sounder for ice fishing, but don't know which one to choose? We will help you with this. In the article we will tell you what technical characteristics you need to pay attention to when choosing an echo sounder for winter fishing.

What is an echo sounder and what is it for?

A modern angler in his equipment has many devices and devices to facilitate the process of catching fish. The echo sounder is one of such devices, which, due to the ultrasonic signal, determines the depth and topography of the reservoir, as well as its inhabitants in the study area. The principle of operation of the echo sounder is to reflect ultrasonic signals from various surfaces, including living inhabitants, the reflected signal is processed and an image of a section of the reservoir is displayed along with its inhabitants. Depending on the season of use of the device, all devices can be divided into two types:

• echo sounders for winter fishing;
• echo sounders for summer fishing.

Modern echo sounders are able not only to show the depth and topography of the surface of the bottom of the reservoir along with its inhabitants, but also the bait that you use, like a small jig or a regular balancer.

In the previous article, we told you how to find a large perch in winter, but an echo sounder will help you find a trophy perch. Read on to find out how to choose an echo sounder for ice fishing.

Types of echo sounders for winter fishing

Radiated waves

Depending on the number of emitted waves, winter echo sounders are divided into two groups:

• single beam (radiate one wave with a coverage angle of 20 degrees)
• two-beam (they emit two waves in a different frequency range, which is why the coverage angle is 60 degrees)

The quality of the displayed image depends on the viewing angle, the larger the angle, the more accurate the image of the bottom topography and its inhabitants, however, it must be said that at greater depths, due to the large coverage angle, the image scale increases and the fish displayed on the screen can be several meters from wells. Many manufacturers offer models with up to six beams, but in winter fishing they are completely useless, since the emitter is in a fixed position in the hole, and the picture will be formed only from the central beam. Multibeam echo sounders are good for fishing from a boat when the transducer is in motion.

dimensions

Another criterion for separating winter echo sounders is overall dimensions. They are divided into:

• compact (such echo sounders are battery operated and can be carried in a pocket of clothing)
• portable (have small dimensions, are usually transported in small suitcases, can be used all year round)
• tubus (used exclusively for winter fishing, all structural units are located in one housing, powered by batteries)

Flashers for ice fishing

Separately, flashers are distinguished among winter echo sounders. Their distinguishing feature is a round display, which clearly shows not only the differences in depth, but also the direction of movement of the fish. Flashers are used exclusively in winter fishing, and structural elements are "sharpened" for operation at low temperatures, as a result of which their prices are much higher than for ordinary winter echo sounders. Leading manufacturers of flashers are MarCum, Humminbird and Vexilar.

Flashers are good to use due to their functionality:

1) changing the power of the ultrasonic emitter, this is very important when fishing at shallow depths.

2) manual change in the width of the radiation, which allows you to increase the translucent spot of the bottom.

3) the presence of a buzzer allows you to scale the size of the bottom.

Basic rules when choosing an echo sounder

The choice of a suitable winter echo sounder must be approached thoroughly. If you are well versed in the main characteristics of winter echo sounders, then this section will not be very interesting for you, although an experienced fisherman may discover something new in choosing an echo sounder for winter fishing. If you are completely unaware of this issue, then the recommendations below will help you make the right choice, or at least not fall for the marketing bait of fish finder sellers and manufacturers.

The main parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing a winter echo sounder:

1. Overall dimensions and weight of the device. You should choose the most compact models (unless of course they satisfy you with their characteristics) - this will facilitate the process of transferring and operating them while fishing. This is especially noticeable in severe weather conditions (hard frost, wind, snow).
2. Stable operation at low negative temperatures. All components and components of the device must withstand severe frosts. The battery should not discharge quickly, wires and plastic structural elements should not crack in the cold. The liquid crystal display must show a clear picture and update it quickly.
3. Display resolution. The more dots per inch your fishfinder has, the clearer the picture it shows.
4. The presence of the screen sonar shades of gray. This component is very convenient in determining the bottom of the reservoir and will allow you to navigate the choice of gear and fishing method.
5. Another parameter is the presence of additional functions in the echo sounder, such as a temperature / pressure sensor, many modern echo sounders have a navigator function. Of course, these parameters are not mandatory when choosing winter echo sounders, but they will greatly facilitate the life of a fisherman.

Advantages and disadvantages of winter echo sounders

Advantages of winter echo sounders:

• determination of the structure of the bottom and depth of the reservoir;
• determining the presence of fish under the ice;
• determining the direction of movement of the fish.

The disadvantages of winter echo sounders include:

• a small viewing radius is associated with the size of the hole, since ice does not allow the beams of the echo sounder to pass beyond its limits and limits the view to the diameter of the hole.
• short battery life due to low temperatures.
• limiting the use of the display of echo sounders at low temperatures, for different models the temperature limit is different and varies from -15 to -50

The main difference between winter and summer echo sounders

Many fishermen ask themselves: what is the difference between winter and summer echo sounders? The question is quite justified, because you do not want to buy a separate device for summer and winter, but still it is inevitable. Universal, and even more so summer models of echo sounders are completely unsuitable for their operation in winter conditions. Many structural elements in these devices are not designed for operation in severe frosts, they can be destroyed, and the echo sounder itself can fail. The displays of summer echo sounders in winter do not show a clear, blurry picture, and in many cases the crystals simply freeze and do not show anything. Batteries in winter models have an increased capacity for longer operation at low temperatures, while summer battery models quickly lose their charge and are discharged. In addition to the above, the set of winter echo sounders includes a special frost-resistant cover and a sensor for holes.

Popular echo sounders for winter fishing. Reviews of top echo sounders

All lovers of ice fishing know what an indispensable thing are echo sounders for winter fishing. Not everyone knows which echo sounder to choose among a huge variety of manufacturers and even more models. Having studied many fishing forums and based on our personal experience in using some models of echo sounders, we offer you our rating of domestic and foreign echo sounders according to the website site.

TOP 3 domestic echo sounders for winter fishing

Unfortunately, the market of domestic manufacturers of echo sounders is not large and is represented mainly by various modifications of the Praktik company.

3rd place - "Practitioner ER-4 pro2"

The Practician ER-4 pro2 echo sounder is designed specifically for use in harsh winter conditions. Russian engineers thoroughly approached the issue of creating a winter echo sounder, so the model turned out to be very successful. The power supply is only one finger-type battery, while the operating time is about 50 hours. The elements of the echo sounder are made of frost-resistant materials that can withstand temperatures up to -60 degrees Celsius. The weight of the device is only 160 grams. Several modes of operation of the echo sounder will make life easier even for an experienced fisherman. Zoom - allows you to double the depth range, and the "Flasher" mode - shows the bait in on-line mode. The simplicity of the design and control of the device (only two buttons) made it one of the most popular domestic winter echo sounders.

2nd place - Practitioner 7 RF Universal

"Praktik 7 RF Universal" is a wireless fish finder for winter fishing, designed to detect fish and determine the depths of a reservoir both in summer and in winter. The Mayak wireless sensor is equipped with a reinforced antenna with a range of up to 100 meters. The receiving unit "Praktik 7 RF" interfaces with the sensor via a Bluetooth connection. A handy feature of this fish finder is its ability to pair with a smartphone. A clear frost-resistant display, as well as a long operating time from standard batteries, makes it a strong competitor to foreign analogues.

1st place - Practitioner ER-6 PRO

"Praktik ER-6 PRO", according to our site, is the best echo sounder for winter fishing from domestic developments. Extended operating time up to 200 hours at low temperatures gives it a huge advantage over other models. The waterproof case is made of durable impact-resistant plastic. A clear monochrome display displays information without distortion even at minus 20 degrees. The main purposes of the echo sounder are the detection of fish and its size, the determination of the depth of the reservoir and the clear drawing of its bottom. It is also capable of showing water and air temperatures.

TOP 5 foreign echo sounders for winter fishing

5th place - Rivotek Fisher 30

Rivotek Fisher 30 - a very easy to operate and inexpensive echo sounder, will allow you to learn the basics of operating echo sounders in the winter. A single-beam device with a scanning angle of up to 20 degrees is good at shallow depths from 1 to 10 meters.

4th place - Eagle Trifinder-2

The Eagle Trifinder-2 is an easy-to-use fish finder for fishing at depths up to 10 meters. It has established itself as a reliable and accurate instrument at a reasonable price.

3rd place - Lowrance Elite-4 Ice Machine

Lowrance Elite-4 Ice Machine - All-weather echo sounder with operating temperatures from -50 to +28 degrees Celsius. Thanks to this, it can be used in any region not only of our country, but also of the world. Number of beams - 1. Designed to detect fish, determine the depth and topography of the bottom.

2nd place - Humminbird 180

The Humminbird 180 is a three-beam fish finder with simple controls and a backlit display that allows you to use it at night. The high resolution of the screen conveys an excellent picture, bringing pleasure from its use.

1st place - Garmin echo 200 echo sounder

The Garmin echo 200 echo sounder has a large screen with multiple shades of gray. A dual-beam emitter projects an image onto a display divided in half, each half displaying an image of a separate beam. It is very easy to operate, and its scanning accuracy has made it the favorite of many fishermen, so it rightfully takes first place in our rating.