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anybody ever try one of these little fishfinders got it for free so the price was right heres a link to a web page that shows one
[url "http://www.brokenlegdave.com/Manufacture/NorCross/FF3300P_FF3300PX.htm"]http://www.brokenlegdave.com/Manufacture/NorCross/FF3300P_FF3300PX.htm[/url]
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[cool]That little dude has a lot of nifty features. I especially like the 45 degree cone angle. For fishing shallower waters, that can be a big help in reading the bottom and finding fish. Most are around 20 degree...with only a few programmable up to 60.
I also like the idea of being able to use it off the shore or a dock. That could be a big help to the boatless or tubeless angler. Also like the builtin temp guage option. Taking anc recording accurate temperature changes through the year is a big part of my fishing log system...and can really help determine the way you rig for each trip.
The lightweight portability is also a plus, for many fishing situations. However, in making it small, they also made it something that I would probably not want to install on a tube or boat for a permanent tool. Running off size AA batteries, it could not possibly have the power to display all of the details of a high wattage super system. But, sometimes you have to make decisions and tradeoffs. The small screen is also okay in a handheld unit...but not good for hands free fishing on a boat or tube...where you need to be able to maintain surveillance on the screen without wearing bifocals. Can't find good bifocal shades.
There is probably not any one system that is the absolute best for everybody. Depending on the type of fishing you do, and what your likes and dislikes are, there is bound to be a good match...in terms of both efficiency and budget. And, that is what it really comes down to. Heck, if I had all the money in the world, and nothing else to spend it on, I would own ten different sonar systems. But, if you have to make a choice, it is better to spend a little more than you wanted...than not quite enough.
Looking forward to a review and report when you get a chance to use it. I am sure it would be a good system for a lot of folks.
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[cool][size 1]Hi TubeDude,[/size]
[size 1]I forgot what kind of a fish finder that you mounted on your tube. What is the brand, model # and how do you like it?[/size]
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[cool][size 2]Hey Dryrod, howya doin'? I have tried a lot of different sonars...including flashers. I have kinda settled on the "low end" Eagle units...both the Fish Easy and the Cuda 168. If you go back a buncha threads in the archives, you will find more reviews and pics. But, here are pics of the two models.[/size]
[size 2]I like the Fish easy for the screen. I like the Cuda 168 for the wider cone angle and the on screen digital temp readout. Both have decent bottom dilineation, for the money. [/size]
[size 2]These are low wattage units, which makes it possible to fish all day with a small SLA battery. A higher wattage unit, with real time display and showing your lure below you will suck the life out of a small battery in a couple of hours. It's always a tradeoff.[/size]
[size 2]As I have stated before, the real value of a sonar...to me...is not so much watching the fishies on TV as making sure I am fishing in the right depth...over the right kind of bottom. I often catch fish that have not shown up on the narrow cone of my sonar in shallow water. The other side of the coin is that I get frustrated when I see more fish than I am catching. But, it's a well known fact that you can't catch them where they ain't.[/size]
[size 2]Over time, the biggest assest you enjoy from fishing with sonar is being able to relate the data you get from the screen with the results of your fishing. You come to associate fish marks holding in a certain way, with certain species. And, you come to understand that if they are stratified and not biting that they are either in a negative or neutral mode. Often that means that you need to look for some that are cruising nearer the surface...or the bottom...since they are the ones more actively feeding.[/size]
[size 2]Of course, just about the time you think you have them figured out, they will act differently...but at least you know where to start. You are making an "informed" approach, rather than the "chuck and chance it" system of fishing blind.[/size]
[size 2]I have other pics and diagrams for setting up the batteries and the transducer if you need assistance.[/size]
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[cool] [size 1]Hi TubeDude,[/size]
[size 1]The weather as TubeN2 might have mention is getting nice and cool for a change. As you might remember here in So Cal, one day it is in the 100s the next in the 50s.[/size]
[size 1]Thanks for the reply. That Cuda #168 is a nice looking unit and is priced at Wal*Mart at $116.00 which is acceptable. However, nothing was mentioned about the power pack. They sell that at around $70.00. Now they are getting into my back pocket. However, I never have seen a Well Fargo truck at a funeral. Have a good day.[/size]
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[cool][size 2]Before you drop $70 on a power pack, look at the SLA battery and charger combo in Cabelas for about $30. That is a 7.5 amp/hour battery...will run about two days of normal use easily. The little trickle charger needs about an hour of charging for every hour you use it. Easy.[/size]
[size 2]I think that Cabela's also has the Cuda 168 for $99. Wally World ain't always the cheapest. In looking at the pic you posted, it looks like you are looking at the 168EX...which is more expensive. It has a 4.5" diagonal screen vs a 4" on the regular 168. Other than that, there is no difference that I can detect.[/size]
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well i picked it up today threw it in the water at a local pond for about 10 min. it doesn't have a grey scale across the bottom so its hard to tell what the botton is made up of it did show some fish on the screen and a water temp of 44.5 i'll try and post more when i try it at one of the local lakes one thing i like allready is the belt clip clip it on fold it open look down and there it is
don't think i'll be useing it on the tube i just picked up a fishin buddy 2 for 50.00 that i'll be useing
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[cool][size 1]Hi TubeDude,[/size]
[size 1]Didn't realize that there were two 168 models. Checked Wally's World again and found that the 168 (no EX extention) is only $99.42.[/size]
[size 1]With the exception of the battery does the unit come with the necessary cables and attachments?
[/size]
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[cool][size 2]Glad you are able to keep the price down. I'm sure that if you look in a battery specialty store you can find both a good SLA battery and charger. Problem is, their chargers are all at least $20, whereas the Cabela's combo is only $29.99 for both battery and charger. And the charger will hold up through several batteries...even though they last for years.[/size]
[size 2]I am attaching some pics I thought to take during the setup process on the Cuda 168. As you can see, it comes complete with the cables connected to the transducer...although you have to plug it in to the display unit. There is also about a 3 foot double wire to connect to the battery...red and black. You do have to attach either alligator clips or spade connectors to hook to the battery terminals.[/size]
[size 2]The next chore is hooking up the transducer. It comes with the "skimmer" transducer...which is the best for what we do. But, that has to be attached to a stick or rod so that it can be mounted pointing straight down. Email me and I will send some mounting diagrams for you to use in coming up with a system.[/size]
[size 2]The pics posted out of order, but they are numbered for sequence. Hope this helps.[/size]
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well i used it a little today in theory tossing it out to see whats out there doesn't work that great because the cable sinks pulling it back into you i think it will see limited use mostly ice fishing
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Just received my batteries and charger from cabelas. I went with the two battery option that they had. It was 49 bucks. The charger and single battery is just like TD said,, $30.
I went with the extra battery so that I may run some optional accessories that I have in mind. ie: cruise control, power sunroof, and maybe some running lights.
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[cool][size 1] Hi tubeN2,[/size]
[size 1]Are you sure that 2 batteries will be sufficient? You know that is SoCal that you will need a siren, fog horn, gattelin gun, depth charge launcher and an electric water fence.[ ][/size]
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I was considering some of those options as well but that would leave less room for my RPG storage. ha ha.[cool] I am just going with the bare necesities.
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[cool]If you are frugal and power conservation conscious, go for wood burning or solar powered. Maybe you can hook up some trained dolphins to turn turbines or something...or use windmills on breezy days.
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I just had to get a backup battery for our home alarm system today and went to a local (Salt Lake) specialty battery dealer called Battery Specialists and checked on a 7.5ah battery. $19 for the same kind you get at Sports Warehouse or Cabelas. I didn't check on a charger, but there's another source.
Alan
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[cool][size 1]Hi C-canyon,[/size]
[size 1]If you called your alarm people to change the battery, they would charge you $100.00 for the battery + the house call. That is what my company quoted me. Guess what, I picked one up from a local wholesaler for around $20.00. [/size]
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[cool][size 2]Hey, c-canyon, welcome to BFT and to the float tubing forum. Thanks for the input on batteries. Always good to know new sources...at better prices.[/size]
[size 2]I am still using and appreciating a small Panasonic 6 amp battery I picked up at a rockhound and prospector show...for about $10. They use them for running the little recirculating pumps on their concentrate processing units, and they were selling them cheap. See the pic at the bottom.[/size]
[size 2]I bought two Cabelas batteries about 5 years ago. I lost one, but the other is still powering the sonar on Tubebabe's craft. I bought two of the Panasonics and I have been using one for over two years. It has never failed to hold a charge and has never run out of juice during a day of fishing.[/size]
[size 2]If you are planning a long trip to a remote area, without power hookups to recharge batteries between trips, it is a good idea to have more than one battery. Finding a good buy helps defray the expenses...so we can buy more high priced lures we may never use.[/size]
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Dryrod, I didn't call them. I knew I could get a battery a lot cheaper if I got it myself. I did pick one up there (battery store) for $18.40 inc. tax.
I'm kind of curious, how long will one of those small sealed acid batteries last, and just how small you can go amp hour wise. The one I got for the alarm system is 3 3/4" long X 1 7/8" wide X 2" tall and is a 1.2 ah battery. I know it's probably too small, but would a 4 ah work? The one my wife has for her boat is 6" long, 2 1/2" wide and 4" tall. I'd like to go smaller if I could when I get one for my sonar. Eagle FishMark 160.
Alan
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[size 2][cool]Hi c_canyon,[/size]
[size 2]While I know a little bit about batteries, I think that TubeDude can really give you some good advise on this subject. I have yet to purchase a Fish/Finder [plan to do so shortly] I am not sure as to how much a given unit will drain a particular model over how long. The battery size your wife has is probably the one that you will need to buy.[ ] TubeDude is the moderator of this board. Give him a shout and he will be there.[cool][/size]
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[cool][size 1] Hi TubeDude,[/size]
[size 1]Are these fish finders water resistant or better yet water proof?[/size]
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