The Hummingbird Piranha series are great for kayaks, I just got a second one for my Adventure, a Piranhamax 215 for $89. I power it w/ 8 AAA bateries in a rsadio shack holder. Used this system for the last 5 years w/o a problem. So easy even I could do it!
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Posts: 495 | Location: West Deptford, NJ | Registered:: March 09, 2003
Take a look at the Humminbird Fishing Buddy units (vert and side imaging). With a Sit In kayak, you would have to make some sort of attachment point. I have not used one, but I am planning to buy one for my Revolution. I believe the unit's clamp will attach to the built-in handhold on my Revolution.
Posts: 5 | Location: savannah, ga | Registered:: July 05, 2008
All the fish finders I know of require 12V. How you deliver 12V can range from a big high capacity car battery down to a small lithium polymer battery of the correct voltage. If you are pinched for space you can always tuck a 12V 7 amp/hr up in the nose of your sit in kayak. The Eagle Cuda line has some smaller display units that don't take up too much space. You may think of mounting the display not on the top of the deck but under the deck between your knees so as to not clutter up the deck space.
Posts: 310 | Location: Doylestown | Registered:: September 23, 2006
I have Eagle Cudas in both of my kayaks (one 196 and one 242). Good size, adequate for my needs, both priced under $80.
I also power them with 8 AA batteries. They last for well over 10 hours unless you operate the backlight. (2650 MaH rechargeables from Ebay). Far lighter than the lightest lead acid battery and really convenient. I put them in a Radio Shack battery holder in plastic box and use velcro to secure the box to the top inside of the hull near the front hatch where they don't get knocked around. Instructions on using them and lot of articles about them can be found in the DIY forum, or drop me a PM if you want to know what I did.
I also use the Ram Ball mount on mine. On one kayak, it is mounted on the top of the deck. On the other, it is mounted at the end of the footwell on the vertical surface. From there, I can raise it to the height I want and pull it lower than the deck when we need to stack kayaks in the back of the truck.
Kayak fishing... paddling with a purpose.
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Originally posted by Biker: This is very helpful!!!!! Are the handheld varieties (Norcross Hawkeye) with 1.5-2 inch screens just too small?
I have a Norcross Hawkeye .... don't buy it, instead look at the PiranhaMax...
Norcross Hawkeye doesn't show the bottom, it only shows a weeds or rocks icon which is supposed to mean there is "some sort" of structure there ... whereas a better FF shows the bottom contours.
I'm going to get the Piranahmax 240 with THREE beacons/wider beams to see a wider "cone" under my kayak.
the PM 240 shows fish under, to the left, and to the right of your kayak, and shows the bottom contours etc.
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correction edit: I have a Norcross Hawkeye for sale, GREAT Fishfinder ... buy it from me fast, P.M. me today ... so I can get a "real" FF. (not really, I'm going to give it to my 13 year old niece ... it is a nice toy, I mean tool, for her, and she might enjoy it.)
I have not seen one of these fish finders in a store because I just haven't been to town lately. But, as I inquire on line, no one can tell me how to run the Cuda or the Piranha by AAA batteries. Does that option come with the package, or do you improvise? Thanks again.
Posts: 32 | Location: East Central Illinois | Registered:: January 25, 2007
Originally posted by Biker: But, as I inquire on line, no one can tell me how to run the Cuda or the Piranha by AAA batteries. Does that option come with the package, or do you improvise? Thanks again.
Don't let batteries be an issue, very simple. concentrate on info the FF model gives, features etc.
Some actually are made to work on AA or AAA batteries, but ... click this link, scrolll down to "Batteries"
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articles_view.asp?Kayak_Articles=39 "Basically, its just a 8 AA battery battery holder and 9 volt snap connector, this will give the voltage you need, and with the new higher capacity rechargable batteries you can power most deptfinders for between 10 and 20 hours. You can purchase the AA battery holder and connector at Radio Shack for 3 dollars."
now I'm against interior mounting of transducers,it gets hot here and I don't want hull warpage from the weight, plus I have 2 kayaks so I making a "T" which fits in the bungee paddlekeeper and mount transducer to that, so I can switch betweek kayaks by slipping the T out of the paddle keeper bungie,
I've seen also a upside down J shape PVC for putting in rod holder (you could use a "Tee" or "cross" attach to other rod holder on other side and add on from there too) I'm using reducer from 1 1/4" to 1/2" into water for less drag http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/220603834/m/3881099805
Making the AA battery pack is simple, but some are made for AA
Eagle Cuda 242 Portable Fishfinder System CUDA 242 Portable Fishfinder
The new CUDA® 242 fishfinder
Port-Power Pack case and portable 200 kHz Skimmer® transducer with suction-cup mounting bracket (batteries not included)
Uses 4 AA batteries (Not Included)
This message has been edited. Last edited by: RPB,
look at the amount and type of info you get on the 4 photos below. Two are pretty much useless fishfinders imho.
The Norcross (top picture link) has a bar on the side and you need to calculate if the fish are so far from the bottom, and the bottom is so deep, and you are so many feet off the bottom, then you need to let out so much line from the surface... i forgot my calculator
Notice two have better bottom features picture, (Eagle and Humminbird) plus the 240 piranhamax (bottom link)has whether the fish are left or right AND how deep each is,
Wow. Thanks for all of this info. I knew it was out there somewhere. I appreciate your time and sharing your experience. I have some reading and planning to do, and I think it will be fun!
Posts: 32 | Location: East Central Illinois | Registered:: January 25, 2007
What fish finders are out there that are small enough for use in my 10.5 ft sit in and that don't require a 12 volt battery? Any luck with any? Thanks
This is very helpful!!!!! Are the handheld varieties (Norcross Hawkeye) with 1.5-2 inch screens just too small?
I think I got the info I need. I'll welcome other comments and suggestions. Thanks.
