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3:45 pm
March 22, 2004
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Hey,
Well, last weekend was the final push I needed to get a depth finder. Having saved a number of Cabelas gift certificates over the past year I was able to pick up a Humminbird Matrix37/GPS Combo.
I'm looking for feedback from those in the know as to whether or not I made a decent decision. This thing has 4000 peak to peak watts, 640 vertical pixelsl, a QuadraBeam transducer with 90 degrees of coverage, speed and temperature readings, a split screen for the GPS unit, 12 level gray scale, a back light and reads to a depth of 1500 feet. Any thoughts?
DL
DL
6:10 pm
May 19, 2004
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Dave - I think that's very similar to the one Archie has. It was a HUGE help as we mapped and plotted the humps so that we could troll around them and not get hung up on them. I feel that it was a great decision! enjoy it.
Barry
We may only see what we look for.
3:07 am
March 19, 2004
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DL,
After an outing with Archie and admiring his, I cashed in my Cabelas Club points on the same unit. I'm impressed with it. This past weekend I had it turn off twice on me...I need to check that out. Also while running I experience a "fuzzy" screen. I've moved my transducer up and down but still need to find the sweet spot.
I agree w/ Arch on the Quadra beam...it's neat to show off to your friends but other then that its usless. Lot of other neat views though. I'd buy it again!
Chad T
2:15 pm
March 22, 2004
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Hey,
Thanks guys. Buying one of these damn things is like, excuse the punn, fishing in the dark. The only thing that I kept in mind was the fact that somebody had said in an earlier post that you need at least 3000 peak to peak watts. Other than that it was just the description of the features that sold me.
Now, where do I mount it and what is the secret of the transducer placement?
DL
DL
8:07 pm
March 19, 2004
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DL,
Update on my Matrix 37...I just took it back. My GPS link ended up crapping out, no idea what happen. The unit kept shutting off on my and my wiring looked good. I spoke with someone at Cabelas and he heard of the same thing happing to others (no idea if that is true or not).
I walked into the store thinking that I would pick up the matrix 67 but when I saw the price drop on the Lowrance 330 C I jumped on it. I actually got the last one. They are sending it from another store. I think they're dropping that model and coming out with the 335. The peak watts on the 330 are 2400 so I do downgrade from the Humminbird. I'm not fishing great depths so I hope I won't see the difference.
I'll keep you posted. Hopefully I get the unit soon as my boat is ripped apart so I can't fish!
Chad T
11:19 pm
These are great tools for guys who need them( archie) I would rather spend my money on lures and my time on the water. Hey Archie do you have a f/t shallow radier they work great this time of year.
11:40 pm
March 22, 2004
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Hey,
Thanks SeaBass, I hope I don't experience the same problems with mine. I think my major hassle is going to be the location of the transducer. I know that I need to place it at least 15 inches from the prop to avoid the interference from the propwash, but how do you select the angle at which to set the damn thing? Also, I was going to mount the GPS receiver on the bow of my boat right behind where my trolling motor straps across it. Do I need to elevate the receiver above the level of the trolling motor when I have it out of the water and strapped across the bow? I'M SO CONFUSED!!!!
Oh, and Tom, some of us need all the help we can get!!!! :-
DL
DL
3:09 am
March 19, 2004
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DL,
I'm not the expert on transducer locations. My hull will prove it! As far as the GPS receiver...I would install it in the location of your choice temporally with Velcro if applicable. This did the trick for me to find the spot with least interference. It's easy to find a signal in your driveway but I found motoring around the lake I would loose the signal until I found the right spot. Wait…are we talking about GPS receivers or women? ???
Chad T
3:55 pm
March 22, 2004
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Hey Chad,
Thanks for the heads up on your experiences with this depthfinder. I guess its basically a learn as you go sort of thing. But I liked the idea of the velcro mounting of the GPS receiver. God knows I don't need excess holes in the boat!!!!
DL
DL
7:46 pm
March 22, 2004
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Hey,
Alrighty then, I finally got the damn depth finder mounted on my boat, and as was said ealier in this segment, sitting in my driveway it all works great!!!! Now I just have to find some open water to test it out on...hopefully there will be a January thaw. [[[
DL
DL
9:52 pm
DL-
begin looking for the 3D cartography chip due out in May. I know Raymarine has the capabilites plus a couple others. I have been using one for a little while now. It will blow your F$$$$$in mind. So much more so than the regular navionics or CMap etc..... if your system offers 3D cartograhy - buyt it. It is called Platinum series of chips.
it shows a whole 3D cross section under water. They become available in May i think - not sure if hummingbird is compatible but check
chris
11:00 pm
March 22, 2004
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Hey Chris,
Thanks for the heads up on that. I believe I have an extra port on the back of my display; is what you're talking about a plug-in of some sort or is a card that I would have disassemble the unit to install?
DL
DL
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