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budget sonar for bait boat (16 posts / 4,549 views)
Smudge79 Smudge79
Posts: 2,737
Post #1 15 Jun 2022 11:27
0
Hello All,

I got a bait boat (big lake) model that i use occasionally in France.

I intend on fishing a UK water this year where bait boats are used so are going to give it a go.

What I would like, is to use a sonar just for finding spots really, kind of like what a deeper does. I know noting about sonars but do use a deeper. All i want is to see if the bottom, holes in weed etc

I dont want to pay a fortune for one but what are my options? or should I just use the deeper with the boat but I have read of connection issues/clashes?

Cheers
Belch Belch
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 4,661
Post #2 15 Jun 2022 13:42
0
In reply to Post #1
Start with the Deeper and then see how you go - def get a range extender as there's nothing worse than the Deeper connection going at 100yds when you've just found your perfect spot

The Deepers functionality and sonar quality is more than adequate however for dedicated baitboat use I got rid of mine as at range and in adverse conditions even with an extender connectivity can be hit and miss on wi-fi which used to annoy me - that and the faff of setting up with an arm / waiting for the tablet to boot / connect etc etc

Saying that I now get annoyed about lack of satellites on certain lakes / swims - you can never win!
Smudge79 Smudge79
Posts: 2,737
Post #3 15 Jun 2022 19:04
0
In reply to Post #2
Will give the deeper a go for sure but must say I find it a bit hit and miss and condition dependant even at shorter range with a rod
ticker ticker
Posts: 682
Post #4 16 Jun 2022 15:31
0
In reply to Post #1
have a look on ebay
Smudge79 Smudge79
Posts: 2,737
Post #5 16 Jun 2022 17:01
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In reply to Post #4
What for mate? what sort of model should I look for
ticker ticker
Posts: 682
Post #6 16 Jun 2022 18:11
0
In reply to Post #5
buy the arm for the deeper about £20
ticker ticker
Posts: 682
Post #7 18 Jun 2022 14:39
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In reply to Post #5
sorry thought you had a deeper did not read properly
Houdini Houdini
Posts: 304
Post #8 18 Jun 2022 17:57
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I've got the Horizon fish finder, had it a few years now. No problems with it apart from when using it in shallow water but I think even more expensive ones can struggle in shallows.
It's not the most detailed and wouldn't ever rely on it for finding fish (that's not what I wanted) I wanted something that was cheap that could move from boat to boat and give me a general idea of the topography of the lake.
Reasonably happy with it especially for the £135 I paid for it.
The_Saint The_Saint
Posts: 2,073
Post #9 18 Jun 2022 20:55
0
In reply to Post #8
I also use the horizon sounder stuck on the rear of my baitboat, perfect for looking for drop offs or plateaus
Smudge79 Smudge79
Posts: 2,737
Post #10 19 Jun 2022 11:41
0
In reply to Post #9
Thanks both, that looks like a good option for what I'm looking for
duggyfresh
Posts: 154
Post #11 20 Jun 2022 10:58
0
In reply to Post #10
If you want to find holes in the weed deeper is the better option as the display will be more detailed, I have a chirp with ND wifi extender, works well.
bencarvosso bencarvosso
Posts: 255
Post #12 22 Dec 2024 11:33
0
In reply to Post #8
Any idea what's the name of the charging lead for the standard plus unit
armalitemk1 armalitemk1
Posts: 668
Post #13 22 Dec 2024 11:45
0
In reply to Post #1
I've used a lucky fish finder from Ebay for year's, these are what Horizon ones convert and sell , if you're handy there easy to convert for longer distances but you have to be careful as they don't work with all boat hand sets as they cause interference, if memory serves me correctly Horizon on there web page used to list what hand sets you could or couldn't use
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,047
Post #14 22 Dec 2024 18:05
0
I must have missed this thread 1st time round. I used a horizon plus for several years with my microcat, no complaints at all, if fact it was very accurate, but not in ultra shallow water, unsurprisingly.

Accurate involves a tri athlete wild swimmer of mine confirming it's findings....mad...I never doubted my cheap sonar again.
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,238
Post #15 22 Dec 2024 18:28
0
In reply to Post #14
How shallow do you have to go before it gets iffy?
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,047
Post #16 22 Dec 2024 19:00
1
In reply to Post #15
I seem to remember 3'/1m or so
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