portable depth depth finder recommendations

[troutman]

Going on a Canadian fly in this summer and I need a portable depth finder.Any recommendations?

[delcecchi]

I bought an inexpensive eagle, but any brand will work. Mounted it to the top of a small toolbox from ff. Drilled hole for cord, mounted two screw terminal 6v lantern batteries inside. Use suction cup mount for transducer.

That is assuming the boats provided on the fly in don't have electric start and batteries. If so, you just make an extension cord with clips on the end to connect to boat battery

[MattClev]

I know one good unite. humminbird piranha mx170

[troutman]

I own an old Vexilar FL-8 and have thought of replacing it.Is there a fishfinder designed for icefishing,that could crossover for the 4 day fly in trip?

[Wanderer]

Anything can work as long as you have power and can mount the transducer. If you're just looking to rig for this one 4 day trip as cheaply as possible, use the FL-8. With batteries I try to stay away from the dual 6 volt lantern battery and convert to a regular 12 volt rechargeable. I did this with my old Eagle Silent 60. You can't keep the cord and ducer in the lower part afterward but it was a pain to put it back in anyway.

Is the boat you're going to use just open floor or will it have a wood floor built in? If you have access to the aluminum hull, your transducer can shoot through it. Normally you'd epoxy it in place but a puddle of water can work too. I use my FL - 8 with the ice ducer in the canoe and just set the transducer on the floor in the inevitable puddle of water and it works just fine.

Otherwise if you want to mount the transducer on the outside of the hull you can either get the big suction cup or get an arm and clamp set up.

If you want a newer graph, you can usually find an ice rig for it for later. Most of the graphs are sold with skimmer transducers which you won't want for ice fishing. I believe with some you may have the choice to get a puck, but you'll really want an ice ducer for ice fishing if you're buying new.

[delcecchi]

Rechargeable is the way to go if you have electricity and a wall wart charger, or if the boats have batteries you don't need a battery at all.

When I am carrying on my back, lantern batteries do the job. I have even thought about C or D alkalines.

[Moose]

Marcum Ice Troller. I use mine simmer and winter. Uses 6 AA Batteries. Good power, set it up with a ram handle bar mount and you can pretty much mount it to anything. Uses very little battery. Has zoom interference reduction and is only 4"x6". It's digital and upgradable. With a little water in the boat or canoe you can shoot through the floor. I replaced my LX3 and FL8 with this unit because of the ease of use and I got sick of listening to the flasher while ice fishing. This unit is silent. Here is the Ram setup from the Canoe Kayak forum. http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...unt#Post3055379

[Scott M]

I bought a Lowrance HDS 7 and mounted it in a blue Genz box complete with suction cup mount transducer. I got a great deal on it through Pro Fishing Supply Dave will get you set up really easily and at a great price; if I can do it anyone can.

I'm actually thinking of doing a similar setup for my parents boat they just bought to leave at the cabin.

[delcecchi]

How long will the HDS7 run before the battery needs to be recharged?

[Scott M]

Oh boy, I've never had a problem with it running out of juice, but I haven't had it running continuous, like a continuous navigational aid such as when contour trolling...online specs show a 0.8 amp draw. My gel battery its clamped to is 9 amp...so 10 hours.

[Tom7227]

Lots of outpost camps have solar panels. I have taken a regular boat battery for my CPAP and hooked it up to the solar panels during the day. I wonder if you could charge a gel cell that way. If not how about taking an inverter and doing it that way?