Fish finder help - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Cadillyak · 08-15-2014, 06:41 AM

I say go Lowrance HDS-5. I have fallen in love with the unit and I am sure you would too. Just as important, purchase from a reputable buyer. May I suggest West Marine, and don't skimp on the extended warranty. In this sport, our gear takes beating, and when the time comes, you want to have options. I purchased an inferior sonar, and wasn't satsified but had the extended warranty. 3 months after realizing I wanted the HDS, all I had to do was take it in, find one I wanted, and pay the difference. That easy.

bolocop · 08-15-2014, 09:16 AM

I'm a Humminbird fan. I've always liked the capability of having two frequencies on one screen. You're able to see the 83/200 cones at the same time.

Whatever you get (I have a Lowrance X-4 pro also), make sure you get at least the 83/200 transducer for LJ. I went with a 200/DI transducer and that's no good in LJ. I see everything with 83/200. I have stayed away from DI for LJ.

The pelican · 08-15-2014, 10:23 AM

I agree w Cadillyak. HDS 5 has served me very well. I also had the Elite 4 (non DSI) and that did the trick for LJ where I fish. It worked much better when the transducer was directly in the water with the mad frog arm (vs through hull, which I used initially). Mostly, I use my finder for GPS, depth, and finding bait. The HDS 5 is better, but I got what I needed from the Elite 4 at a cheaper cost. You might consider that if you're starting off and want to save some money. West Marine frequently puts the HDS5 on sale down to $450. Thats how I bought mine and got one for a buddy too. I suspect labor day will be an excuse for a sale and you'll see it marked down at least $100. The extended warranty, as Cadillyak also said, is the way to go. Like any insurance, it's priced to reflect the costs West Marine expects to pay out in repairs on average, plus some profit. Basically West Marine prices the warranty for boaters who make up most of the buyers. We yak anglers have a much higher risk of using the warranty for obvious reasons. We're in direct contact with salt water, making surf launches and landings, etc. You pay the warranty price for the average person but have a much higher likelyhood of using the coverage because you're on a kayak. Its a good deal in my opinion. Also, dont forget the dialectric grease!

Pat

PescadorPete · 08-15-2014, 01:23 PM

West Marine has the HDS-5 w/transducer on sale for $399 8/21 thru 9/1.

Too bad they didn't fix the depth contour lines for LJ. Slackers!

alanw · 08-15-2014, 04:04 PM

I just got a Dragonfly and used it only two times so far but it's pretty sweet. It seemed easier to use with a cleaner interface and less buttons and options to dig through, and the imaging is awesome. The HDS seemed to have way too many options (engine, Sirius, networking, etc..) that I didn't need for a kayak, but it has some great abilities. So far I'm happy with my purchase. Go to WM and try them out side-by-side before you decide. Either will do a proper job.

tacmik · 08-15-2014, 04:11 PM

The dragonfly is the bomb. Check with OEX as they have it competitively priced and can do the install.

tsugg · 08-16-2014, 06:06 AM

I've always use lowrance products even as far back as my first chart graph used scrolling paper! when the roll ran out (from the left to the right) you would put in a new roll of paper! Anyway lowrance has always used what I've thought is not the most user friendly software. I'm almost done installing a new ray marine dragonfly and from what I've seen and hope it has really really friendly software and a really great bottom and fish detail. I fished in a buddies boat two weeks ago out of oside and he was using a dragonfly. I was amazed at the detail, on the way in I had him run over the artificial reef #2 because I look at it a lot on my elite 4 hdi and what is a basic hump on the elite, is a complete reef structure on the dragonfly. So I went out and bought one from the GPS store online, got it for $539 with the gold chart. So maybe by noon today I'll get to try it out. PUMPED!!

bmercury · 08-16-2014, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PescadorPete

West Marine has the HDS-5 w/transducer on sale for $399 8/21 thru 9/1.

Too bad they didn't fix the depth contour lines for LJ. Slackers!

Great deal, might pick one up, but my ideal budget for a sonar/gps combo is under 300. any thoughts?

ptn · 08-21-2014, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PescadorPete

West Marine has the HDS-5 w/transducer on sale for $399 8/21 thru 9/1.

Too bad they didn't fix the depth contour lines for LJ. Slackers!

Thanks for the heads up, just picked one up

octico · 09-16-2014, 01:20 PM

Just picked mine up today. I cannot wait to use it this weekend.

08-15-2014, 06:41 AM	#1
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	I say go Lowrance HDS-5. I have fallen in love with the unit and I am sure you would too. Just as important, purchase from a reputable buyer. May I suggest West Marine, and don't skimp on the extended warranty. In this sport, our gear takes beating, and when the time comes, you want to have options. I purchased an inferior sonar, and wasn't satsified but had the extended warranty. 3 months after realizing I wanted the HDS, all I had to do was take it in, find one I wanted, and pay the difference. That easy. __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

08-15-2014, 04:04 PM	#5
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	I just got a Dragonfly and used it only two times so far but it's pretty sweet. It seemed easier to use with a cleaner interface and less buttons and options to dig through, and the imaging is awesome. The HDS seemed to have way too many options (engine, Sirius, networking, etc..) that I didn't need for a kayak, but it has some great abilities. So far I'm happy with my purchase. Go to WM and try them out side-by-side before you decide. Either will do a proper job. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

08-15-2014, 04:11 PM	#6
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	The dragonfly is the bomb. Check with OEX as they have it competitively priced and can do the install. __________________

08-16-2014, 06:06 AM	#7
tsugg LOWSPARK Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 251	dragonfly I've always use lowrance products even as far back as my first chart graph used scrolling paper! when the roll ran out (from the left to the right) you would put in a new roll of paper! Anyway lowrance has always used what I've thought is not the most user friendly software. I'm almost done installing a new ray marine dragonfly and from what I've seen and hope it has really really friendly software and a really great bottom and fish detail. I fished in a buddies boat two weeks ago out of oside and he was using a dragonfly. I was amazed at the detail, on the way in I had him run over the artificial reef #2 because I look at it a lot on my elite 4 hdi and what is a basic hump on the elite, is a complete reef structure on the dragonfly. So I went out and bought one from the GPS store online, got it for $539 with the gold chart. So maybe by noon today I'll get to try it out. PUMPED!!

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08-15-2014, 09:16 AM	#2
bolocop Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 332	I'm a Humminbird fan. I've always liked the capability of having two frequencies on one screen. You're able to see the 83/200 cones at the same time. Whatever you get (I have a Lowrance X-4 pro also), make sure you get at least the 83/200 transducer for LJ. I went with a 200/DI transducer and that's no good in LJ. I see everything with 83/200. I have stayed away from DI for LJ.

08-15-2014, 10:23 AM	#3
The pelican Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: La Jolla Posts: 82	I agree w Cadillyak. HDS 5 has served me very well. I also had the Elite 4 (non DSI) and that did the trick for LJ where I fish. It worked much better when the transducer was directly in the water with the mad frog arm (vs through hull, which I used initially). Mostly, I use my finder for GPS, depth, and finding bait. The HDS 5 is better, but I got what I needed from the Elite 4 at a cheaper cost. You might consider that if you're starting off and want to save some money. West Marine frequently puts the HDS5 on sale down to $450. Thats how I bought mine and got one for a buddy too. I suspect labor day will be an excuse for a sale and you'll see it marked down at least $100. The extended warranty, as Cadillyak also said, is the way to go. Like any insurance, it's priced to reflect the costs West Marine expects to pay out in repairs on average, plus some profit. Basically West Marine prices the warranty for boaters who make up most of the buyers. We yak anglers have a much higher risk of using the warranty for obvious reasons. We're in direct contact with salt water, making surf launches and landings, etc. You pay the warranty price for the average person but have a much higher likelyhood of using the coverage because you're on a kayak. Its a good deal in my opinion. Also, dont forget the dialectric grease! Pat

08-15-2014, 01:23 PM	#4
PescadorPete Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 261	West Marine has the HDS-5 w/transducer on sale for $399 8/21 thru 9/1. Too bad they didn't fix the depth contour lines for LJ. Slackers!

09-16-2014, 01:20 PM	#10
octico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: The city of Orange Posts: 1,278	Just picked mine up today. I cannot wait to use it this weekend.