Lowrance Transducer Question

[Prairie Locked]

Hey all,

Got a new Lowrance Elite HDI from Santa but it came with a 83/200 and 400/800 kHz transducer. I'm wondering if its worth the upgrade to a 50/200 kHz transducer?

I know that technically the 50 is better for salt, trolling and tracking your cannonball, but overall is it worth the investment when that could be ear marked towards a new reel for example.

Any thoughts? Thanks for the input.

 

[spring fever]

I swapped out for an airmar P66 and couldn't be happier! Harbour chandler gave me a credit on my never been used lowrance transducer.

 

[wolf]

I went with the thru hull airmar and was amazed at how it out performed the lowerance out the back of the transom ones WAY more detail and at cruise see the bottom all the time glad I did it as ive been thru alot of the ones out the back transom....went this route to avoid all of that. so far so good

 

[Fish Assassin]

I went Airmar P66 and love it as well. Best transducer for the dollar, sure you can buy better. My question is some of these entry level units have only select transducers you can buy for them. Not sure if the elite has a standard connector or not. Some say you can splice on any end you want. I've never tired it, and will try best not to either in the future.

 

[Slabby20]

Ditto on the Airmar P66. It's a considerable upgrade to the OEM Lowrance transducer I had. Pretty inexpensive too considering the performance boost you get.

 

[profisher]

Don't think you can change the transducer frequency without changing the head unit. Typically they are a match to each other. At least the older stuff were. One thing to consider is that is you are on (an oddball) frequency like 83 then you won't get very much interference from other sounders around you. Way more units are 50/200 and when you cross closely with someone on these frequencies you get screen wash out.

 

[Whole in the Water]

If you don't have the $ and don't wont to drill a hole on your boat go with a Airmar P-66.

 

[Slabby20]

When I switched over to my P66 I wanted to properly fill the old screw holes and not drill any new holes in the transom. I ended up using the Stern Saver pads, one for the transducer, one for the speed paddle wheel. What I ended up with is a clean looking installation that is a totally waterproof installation and no future worries about water leaking into the transom trough screw holes over time. Here's there site if interested:

http://www.sternsaver.com/

 

[fshnfnatic]

When I switched over to my P66 I wanted to properly fill the old screw holes and not drill any new holes in the transom. I ended up using the Stern Saver pads, one for the transducer, one for the speed paddle wheel. What I ended up with is a clean looking installation that is a totally waterproof installation and no future worries about water leaking into the transom trough screw holes over time. Here's there site if interested:

http://www.sternsaver.com/

I like that product,S20.When I upgrade to a Furuno sounder this is what I'll use instead of drilling another set of holes
in the transom (2 sets drilled already).

 

[Prairie Locked]

Thanks for the suggestions and feedback, though a through hull transducer isn't really an option with my 14 footer with how I have it set up. I like the suggestion of the hull saver though, thanks Slabby. I may luck out and be able to use the existing mounting bracket, just swap out the skimmer.

The HDI unit I have is basically the same as an HDS base unit, it just can't be networked. Any thoughts on whether there is much of a difference from 83 to 50 kHz, is it significant enough to warrant the change?

 

[Franko Manini]

I recently ditched my Lowrance 83/200 for a P66. The difference was night and day. It's a no brainer upgrade. On top of that the P66 is available with an integrated paddlewheel sensor. Double no brainer.


Franko

MILF (Man, I Love Fishing)

 

[bpsuls]

I've used something similar to the stern saver. Basically I made a plastic plate and stuck it to my transom with 3m vhb tape. That stuff is unbelievably strong with the foam carrier in it. Been there for almost 4 years and no sign of it coming off. Best part is if your not happy with the position after testing it you can cut it off with a box cutter, wipe it with ipa and start over. I did this to find the most optimal position. You can buy a roll that will fit the bill for about 30$.

 

[Prairie Locked]

It's all done, I managed to upgrade the transducer to the 50/200 and 400/800 transducer plus Navionics Gold for $120.