Lowrance lcx-27c settings for Airmar P66BL

[Fur Fish and Feathers]

After much trouble with Lowrance's Skimmer transducer, I opted to replace it with an Airmar P66BL. I had it on the water this weekend and it performed very well, with the exception of the speed sensor. I'm not sure it's a big deal as I get speed from the GPS as well but it's kind of the principle of paying for something that doesn't work, if in fact it doesn't work. I played around with a couple different transducer settings and still couldn't get the speed to straighten out. The unit fluctuates between 30-130mph, when I'm trolling at 2-3mph. I've installed software version 2.5.0 on the Lowrance and there are several Airmar units in the transducer type list, but not the P66 (I tried the P79 and B60). I'm curious if anyone else has this setup and how they have it configured?

[gofishingtom]

I got sick of lowrances crappy transducers and loosing bottom I purchased the airmar ducer this spring and I will say well worth the 129$ I spent it has never lost bottom and what a ducer... the only change I really had to make with mine was with the old ducer I had sensitivity turned all the way up to 100 just to try and read bottom I now have sens tuned down to like 76%...as for speed ive never had problem as I would never use the wheel which can be off either way by 5-10mph the gps speed is the best way to go all the time..i don't know any reason u would turn that off and use the wheel.. I luv my airmar and would recommend anybody having ducer issues with lowrance to switch and see the difference

[gunner55]

It made a huge difference with our 520C

[CaptainMusky]

The speed sensor is a separate unit than the tranducer itself, you didnt get both did you?

I never even installed the wheel on my boat because they never work that well, get hung up with debris, etc.

If the speed you are seeing is from the GPS unit itself (ie Speed Over Ground) and it fluctuates like that I would suspect that its related to your GPS receiver getting eratic signals as to your position. The way the GPS calculates speed is by distance traveled since the last "update". So if you are not getting the best lock, you can get varying results. That model has an external puck GPS correct? Perhaps its that which is causing the problem. Perhaps due to its location getting interference by something else or just going bad. Im guessing its an LGC 2000? Settings for your transducer wouldnt fix either of these problems based on what I think is causing it.

[Fur Fish and Feathers]

The unit has the speed sensor (paddlewheel). I'm pretty sure you can get the p66 with or without and the 30-130mph readings being displayed are coming from the speed sensor not the gps.

Upon my first inquiry with GEMECO they suggested "use the B744 as it has the same circuitry, only that it is a through hull instead of a transom mount unit." When I informed them that's not an option in the transducer type menu they suggested "use the THST-DFBL as that refers to the Airmar B744 which is the same as the P66 other than how it mounts."

I also had inquired directly with Airmar and they suggested "If the P66 option is not available, you can use: Generic 50/200 kHz 600W 5k."

I think I tried "Generic 50/200 kHz" but I'm not sure. I'll try the "THST-DFBL" and then "Generic 50/200 kHz" this weekend and see what happens.

Do you guys happen to know what transducer type setting you're using?

I agree given one or the other, gps speed is the way to go. There are times, especially river fishing, where it's useful to know how fast the water is moving under me (gps speed - transducer speed).

[CaptainMusky]

OK, so you have the paddlewheel and that is what you were getting the odd readings from, changing the "transducer type" wont fix your problem.

As to your question about what setting I use, its the generic 83/200. I do not have an AirMar though and I have HDS units.