Fishfinder/GPS Model for Yak?

[AquaHunter]

What's a good set up for the yak? I heard Eagle Cude 250 works best for my X-Factor but wanted others to tell me their opinions about it or suggest another brand.

[Mark Weitz]

I don't think it really matters that much. Do take a look at the Ram mounts though. Also search around on the kayak fishing sights.

A lot of guys use a handheld GPS with a mounted fishfinder. That way if you want to mark a spot you don't have to drag the whole kayak over. From what I've seen, it is only a matter of time before the fishfinder gets ruined and it is a constant pain in the ass dealing with salt water getting in the wires.

You could also consider a portable unit, which is nice since it is self contained. Humminbird also recently released the "fishin' buddy" which is a pretty slick unit you may be able to create a mount on your yak for:

http://www.techntackle.com/image_manager/attributes/image/image_1/40791073_8799840_thumbnail.gif

Mark

[Chinny33]

Humminbird 565 $200
Garmin GPSMAP 76CSX $300
[separate the lock from the key, just in case something happens]

[bluesquids]

I like the small cheap cuda models($70-$100).
I run it on 8 rechargable AA's in a battery pack from radio shack.
Simple and light. Think it lasts about 24hrs on a charge.
I don't even mess with the fuse anymore cause I don't think there's enough juice there to cause a spike.
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/articles/AA1.jpg

[bluesquids]

The other school of thought on deluxe expensive Fish finders and electronics is to get the West Marine extended Warranty. The Manufactures warranty lasts one year and extended lasts another 3years. Theres a high probability kayak electronics won't last 4 years. And anyways, you can exchange it out over some corrosion or scratches. You always end up with a current model. Just don't let the warranty expire.

[mcnavas]

I've been using a Hummingbird Portable FF on my Yak for years. It only helps me find pinnacles in the open water since the beach diving is all the same.

I'm not sure if this is the model I have but it looks identicle, you get the idea....
http://www.buy.com/prod/humminbird-piranha-max-10-portable-fishfinder/q/loc/17250/200918821.html

The transducer has a 15' cord that I string through the yak and hang the TX off the back of the yak.
Good diving,
MN

[dr.ed]

I've been using a Hummingbird Portable FF on my Yak for years. It only helps me find pinnacles in the open water since the beach diving is all the same.

I'm not sure if this is the model I have but it looks identicle, you get the idea....
http://www.buy.com/prod/humminbird-piranha-max-10-portable-fishfinder/q/loc/17250/200918821.html

The transducer has a 15' cord that I string through the yak and hang the TX off the back of the yak.
Good diving,
MN

i have one of these as well; like it!:thumps: it shows fish and bottom well.

Compact & self contained.

[LunkerBuster]

i have the eagle cuda 250 and I love it..i lose the water temp function bc i have the transducer mounted inside the hull, but it stays safe and sound that way.

for a very nice inexpensive unit, you cannot beat the 250. the combo of gps and ff alone makes it the best in the price point.

and a little dialectric in the wire plugs keeps me corrosion free .

[bryansnarked]

I like the small cheap cuda models($70-$100).
I run it on 8 rechargable AA's in a battery pack from radio shack.
Simple and light. Think it lasts about 24hrs on a charge.
I don't even mess with the fuse anymore cause I don't think there's enough juice there to cause a spike.
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/articles/AA1.jpg

You may want to go with a 10 aa holder as the recharg. batteries are only 1.2volts. You need 10 to get your 12 volts.

-Bryan

[fishyak]

piranhamax 15 hooked up through the hull to a sealed computer backup battery with alot of goop on the terminals and in the temp sensor slot. the fishfinder is good, the battery lasts months! and ive taken huge waves rolling over the entire unit and it still works fine. used to be 90 bucks i think? the battery would be costly but i bummed it off my old man's scrap computer parts collection.

-Gabe

[bluesquids]

You may want to go with a 10 aa holder as the recharg. batteries are only 1.2volts. You need 10 to get your 12 volts.

-Bryan
I'm no electrician, but the 8aa holder is common practice esp. on the East coast. I don't think the small FF'ers pull a full 12 volts. I easily get 20hours on a charge. I use batteries with a high Mah though.... 2300. Been great for 4 yrs for me.
Couple weeks ago I had no charged batteries and tryed a single 9volt battery to see what would happen. Worked for 2 hours. Those holders are only a couple bucks at Radio Shack. I use one that is square in a small square tupperware container...Very small and Light.
Here's an all about kayak FishFinders article.
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articles_view.asp?Kayak_Articles=39

[shcubasteve]

i lose the water temp function bc i have the transducer mounted inside the hull, but it stays safe and sound that way.


I saw a Youtube video showing how to mount the transducer inside the hull of a yak and I wondered if it hindered the effectiveness of the FF.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Z9amKeUH8

I'm thinking of getting the Fishing Buddy 130 (pic below) because I don't want to drill holes or run wires. ...But if the transducer could mount inside the hull w/o throwing off the accuracy, I would consider other models...

.. Any thoughts?

[yaudon]

you might also want to try out cabelas 12vlt battery. it is small and lightweight. I use it on my kayak and it lasts for a few days. Not to mention that it comes with it's own 110v wall charger. For a ffinder I use the hmbrd piranha series. It is a great unit and better on saltwater than the eagles.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0036388018049a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCHFEAT_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=battery&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Go.x=0&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

[Siebler]

Ray you probably already know what I will say but Im going to have to go with the 250. Theres a reason that si the one we carry. Eagle/ Lowrance makes quality products that really hold up on the kayak.