Rules for choosing a boat echo sounder

An echo sounder or sonar - a device for echolocation of the underwater picture of a reservoir is being acquired by an increasing number of anglers to equip their favorite hobby. Working on the same principle, the models of these gadgets differ in the place of application. Echo sounders are manufactured for use in the following conditions:

when fishing from a boat;
for coastal fishing;
for use on ice fishing in winter;
universal all-weather.

Today we have devoted our review to boat echo sounders and everything connected with them.

Schematic diagram of the operation of sonar

Each echo sounder consists of four main parts, combined in one device.

The sensor, or in other words the transducer, sends sound signals to the bottom and receives the reflected pulses.
The processor unit processes the received information and displays the image on the display.
Screen or display - used to display received scan data.
The control unit allows the user to set echolocation parameters and select device operating modes.

In addition, echo sounders for fishing from a boat are equipped with attachment devices, carrying bags or cases, as well as some additional sensors.

Echo sounder manufacturers

In our market there are models of popular world brands, such as:

Lowrance;
Humminbird;
Garmin;
JJ connect;
Raymarine;

But inexpensive models of domestic production, produced under the Praktik brand, are becoming increasingly popular among fishermen in the post-Soviet space. In addition, we should not forget about our ubiquitous Chinese comrades with their cheap models.

Criterias of choice

In order to decide on the purchase of a particular model, you need to know how echo sounders differ from each other and what factors affect the cost of a particular product. You also need to understand that in sonar there are basic functions, without which this device simply cannot be called an echo sounder, and additional options that not only help the angler, but also greatly increase the final price of the device.

So, in echo sounders for a boat, you first need to look at the following characteristics:

power of the transmitting device;
receiver sensitivity;
display quality: size, brightness, backlight, resolution, etc.;
the efficiency of the processor-converter;
number of scanning beams;
device price.

In addition to the main characteristics, you should pay attention to the configuration of the gadget. An echo sounder for fishing from a boat may additionally have:

built-in navigator;
area maps;
side sensors;
temperature sensor;
speed sensor;
fastening to the transom rubber or;
bag or case for transportation;
possibility of use in winter conditions.

We now describe these characteristics in more detail.

Power

How powerful the transmitter is installed in the device, the better signal will be received by the receiver. Accordingly, the image of the scanned bottom will be displayed more clearly. Naturally, the more powerful the device, the more expensive its cost.

Sensitivity

Even the best signal cannot be processed by a weak receiver. But if the sensitivity is too high, the picture may contain interference from extraneous sources. Therefore, the best choice is an echo sounder with the ability to adjust the receiver.

Screen

Here you can see the impact on the final price of the product with your own eyes. The larger the size of the monitor, its resolution (the number of display points per unit area), the color, the more expensive it will cost you to purchase it.

CPU

The quality of the conversion depends on the clock frequency of the processor built into the device. Currently, echo sounders for fishing from a boat are produced in two frequency options:

50 GHz - great depth, but reduced picture clarity;
200 GHz - excellent clarity with reduced scanning depth.

Number of beams

The more beams the device emits, the clearer picture of the bottom you will get on the screen. However, for simple fishing, one beam is enough, and its width must be taken into account. Narrow beams, up to 24 degrees, better scan the bottom and display its relief, and wide beams from 45 to 90 degrees - the presence of fish. Medium beam devices are the golden mean.

Dual-beam echo sounders show an extended area of the bottom, but sometimes “blind” zones can appear that do not fall into the field of view of the signals.

Sonars with a lot of beams are even more realistic, and on models marked as 3D, with six beams, the picture is displayed in three-dimensional form, but such a fish finder is also expensive.

Price

Today, the price of echo sounders, depending on the characteristics, starts at two thousand rubles in Chinese stores, such as Ali Express or Tao Bao. And the most advanced models, for example, a fish finder-navigator with a 12-inch display from Lowrance, reach up to three hundred thousand rubles.

Additional options

The built-in GPS-navigator will help you immediately after finding an interesting catchy point, hammer it into the device's memory.
The chartplotter additionally displays your route on the map and performs the binding graphically.
Side sensors allow you to determine which side of your PVC boat is the fish, and at what depth.
The temperature sensor is considered by many to be an extra option, but it greatly simplifies fishing with a thermocline, and also allows you to track the dynamics of changes in water temperature, on which the activity of fish depends.
Speed sensors allow you to measure both your own speed of movement and determine that of a passing fish.
can be both standard and self-made. And the installation of some expensive models on boats involves mounting the sonar into the dashboard of the boat. And the coolest models are connected to the power supply of a boat or yacht like car multimedia systems.
A bag or case is a necessary attribute for storing and transporting any device, to protect it from negative influences.
Some models of boat echo sounders can also be used for winter fishing from under the ice. Such models are equipped with increased protection of the case against low temperatures.

Popular Models

We turn to the consideration of popular models of boat echo sounders that receive the most feedback from users:

Practitioner ER-6Pro2 is a popular Russian-made echo sounder, one of the leaders in terms of price and quality ratio. Single beam model with an average scanning angle of 40 degrees. The design of the device is simple and intuitive. There is a possibility of use on ice fishing.

JJ-Connect Fisherman 600 Portable is an echo sounder with increased transmitter power and a declared echolocation depth of up to 280 meters, suitable for sea fishing. The rest is a simple and affordable gadget. A similar JJ-Connect Fisherman 220 river and lake echo sounder with a scanning depth of 73 meters costs a little less.

Three-beam echo sounder Garmin echo 151dv belongs to the middle price class. Advantages of the model: excellent picture quality, ease of operation, battery efficiency, high sensitivity, build quality, ease of finding fish. Can be used in sea fishing and in winter.

The Lowrance Elite-3x is a 3.5" color screen fish finder. It is powered by a battery or a 12 volt network. Suitable for both river and sea fishing. Of the shortcomings - not quite an accurate determination of the depth of the parking lot of fish, but it draws the bottom relief well.

Humminbird 140c Fishin' Buddy is a model with a scanning depth of 74 meters and a 3.5-inch color display. There are many necessary settings, literally under any body of water and any weather. Housing with increased moisture protection and sun protection.

When choosing an echo sounder, you need to clearly understand how often and under what conditions it will be used. There is no need to chase super-hit fancy and expensive models if you are fishing from time to time. And remember that a fisherman is fishing, and all the elements of equipment and equipment are only our assistants and will not fish for us themselves.