Portable flashers / graphs

[climbmda]

I am wondering what people have tried for portable systems. I'm wanting something to use in the canoe. I fish the Minneapolis lakes in the summer, as well as some BWCA trips. I've used my vex in Minneapolis, but don't like to portage it up north. It usually means an extra trip, plus I need to carry extra batteries.

Who has tried the SmartCast, Piranha, etc.

How have they worked for you?

I want to keep the $$ down, so I'm really curious as to how the SmrtCast functions. I'm concerned about a 90 degree cone in deep water. Seems like it would be tough to pinpint anything.

All opinions appreciated.

[SCCO9803]

I've seen the smartcast in action in several different types of situations and it's a piece of junk. The concept is good, just not technologically there yet. If you have any wind/ waves at all it offers up skipped readings on the display. I've also seen it used in a very heated ice shack, and again it doesn't work well.

[kslipsinker]

I had a Fishing Buddy for years and it was great for a small boat or a canoe. I borrowed it to numerous friends that used it in the BWCA. I used it on a fly in trip, and it worked great.

[climbmda]

Thanks for the replies. Anyone tried the Hawkeye. Looks fairly basic, but the price is right. I worry about the effect of waves on the floating transducer, though.

[Angler Don]

[This message has been edited by Angler Don (edited 02-24-2004).]

[Surface Tension]

The Fishing Buddy uses C cell batteries and is self contained which is nice.

You could go with a lot better LCR with a portable pack and a 7 amp hr battery. The added weight isn't that much more but the performance is.