Replace transducer or keep same?
#1

I am replacing a Garmin 4212 with a Simrad NSS 12 EVO 3.
My typical fishing is Gulf of Mexico for Grouper less than 150' in my 07 World Cat 270 SD
Currently I have a 50/200 through hull transducer. The problem I am having is when I get over 90' or so it becomes very challenging to discern the swiss cheese bottom from bottom with no structure. 75-80' or shallower it works great. I can drift on and off a spot in 130' and repeatedly catch fish in one area but not 250' "over". Bottom looks identical where fish are and are not........frustrating - and hard to know where to try fishing to add to ones book of "spots".
So big thing I am looking for with the new system is the better bottom discrimination of CHIRP.
Talked to 2 installers - one says use a medium CHIRP transducer.
Installer number 2 says "Big Job" to replace current transducer with a new one- if I use my current 50/200 transducer with the simrad I will still see 70-80% of the performance improvement vs same system with a new CHIRP transducer. I have no one to ask if this is legit.
My question is it worth installing a new transducer? Boat will need to be hauled and probably cost an extra $1000.
Thanks for your input!
My typical fishing is Gulf of Mexico for Grouper less than 150' in my 07 World Cat 270 SD
Currently I have a 50/200 through hull transducer. The problem I am having is when I get over 90' or so it becomes very challenging to discern the swiss cheese bottom from bottom with no structure. 75-80' or shallower it works great. I can drift on and off a spot in 130' and repeatedly catch fish in one area but not 250' "over". Bottom looks identical where fish are and are not........frustrating - and hard to know where to try fishing to add to ones book of "spots".
So big thing I am looking for with the new system is the better bottom discrimination of CHIRP.
Talked to 2 installers - one says use a medium CHIRP transducer.
Installer number 2 says "Big Job" to replace current transducer with a new one- if I use my current 50/200 transducer with the simrad I will still see 70-80% of the performance improvement vs same system with a new CHIRP transducer. I have no one to ask if this is legit.
My question is it worth installing a new transducer? Boat will need to be hauled and probably cost an extra $1000.
Thanks for your input!
#3
Admirals Club 


Marine Advertiser

I am replacing a Garmin 4212 with a Simrad NSS 12 EVO 3.
My typical fishing is Gulf of Mexico for Grouper less than 150' in my 07 World Cat 270 SD
Currently I have a 50/200 through hull transducer. The problem I am having is when I get over 90' or so it becomes very challenging to discern the swiss cheese bottom from bottom with no structure. 75-80' or shallower it works great. I can drift on and off a spot in 130' and repeatedly catch fish in one area but not 250' "over". Bottom looks identical where fish are and are not........frustrating - and hard to know where to try fishing to add to ones book of "spots".
So big thing I am looking for with the new system is the better bottom discrimination of CHIRP.
Talked to 2 installers - one says use a medium CHIRP transducer.
Installer number 2 says "Big Job" to replace current transducer with a new one- if I use my current 50/200 transducer with the simrad I will still see 70-80% of the performance improvement vs same system with a new CHIRP transducer. I have no one to ask if this is legit.
My question is it worth installing a new transducer? Boat will need to be hauled and probably cost an extra $1000.
Thanks for your input!
My typical fishing is Gulf of Mexico for Grouper less than 150' in my 07 World Cat 270 SD
Currently I have a 50/200 through hull transducer. The problem I am having is when I get over 90' or so it becomes very challenging to discern the swiss cheese bottom from bottom with no structure. 75-80' or shallower it works great. I can drift on and off a spot in 130' and repeatedly catch fish in one area but not 250' "over". Bottom looks identical where fish are and are not........frustrating - and hard to know where to try fishing to add to ones book of "spots".
So big thing I am looking for with the new system is the better bottom discrimination of CHIRP.
Talked to 2 installers - one says use a medium CHIRP transducer.
Installer number 2 says "Big Job" to replace current transducer with a new one- if I use my current 50/200 transducer with the simrad I will still see 70-80% of the performance improvement vs same system with a new CHIRP transducer. I have no one to ask if this is legit.
My question is it worth installing a new transducer? Boat will need to be hauled and probably cost an extra $1000.
Thanks for your input!
Only requires 6.75" of flat space on the hull.
No haul out required.
For example an Airmar M422C-LH-9N...18 and 5 degree beam width.
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Last edited by semperfifishing; 12-07-2017 at 02:04 PM.
#4

The main thing with transducers for bottom fishing is to ensure that you have the right beam width for the application. You want a narrow beam width at 200khz for what you are trying to accomplish. If you are unhappy with your machines performance now, you will be unhappy with a different display running the same transducer at the same power.
#5

My second installer that wanted to replace the transducer recommended:
XSONIC AIRMAR B150M 0 DEG
What do you think of this suggestion? Thanks for the previous comments!
XSONIC AIRMAR B150M 0 DEG
What do you think of this suggestion? Thanks for the previous comments!
#6
Admirals Club 


Marine Advertiser

If you want good bottom detail look at the B75H.
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#9

I am not at the boats location as we speak but I believe the current transducer is a 50/200 Airmar that is about 10 years old.
Looking at about 12K budget for the complete refit including radar and updating the autopilot control head. Have no problem spending a little extra for "the best" transducer.
Looking at about 12K budget for the complete refit including radar and updating the autopilot control head. Have no problem spending a little extra for "the best" transducer.