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One of the biggest purchases you will make as a fisherman, next to your boat and motor, is your fish-finder. Unfortunately this is also one of the most confusing and sometimes intimidating choices an angler has to make. I have been a Lowrance specialist now for three years, and I still have to study regularly just to keep up with the rapidly growing technology behind today's Sonar and GPS units. With this article, I hope to clear up any confusions you may have, and ultimately help you make the right choice on your next Lowrance unit.
When a customer comes to me looking for a new fish-finder, the first question I ask them is "What do you need this unit to do for you?" The perfect sonar unit for one angler may be far from perfect for another. Choose the one that fits YOUR needs and your budget best. The three major factors to consider are: power, pixels, and screen size. In addition to these, you must also decide whether you want a monochrome or color unit. Do you want a Single or Dual-Frequency sonar? Are you interested GPS as well? All of these options will affect the price you pay, and there is no reason to pay for features you do not need.
With the screen resolution of today's fish-finders continuing to improve, more and more units are also being made with color displays. Once you have laid eyes on one of these new color screens, you will quickly realize why monochrome sonar units are now following the ill fated Dodo Bird into the history books. The color screens are not only easier to read in direct sunlight, but are also capable of showing you a much more diverse picture of the underwater world beneath you.
If all these different options have not completely overwhelmed you, you now also have to choose a single or dual-frequency sonar unit. These units use either a 200 kHz signal or a combination of 200 kHz and 50 kHz. While trying not to once again totally loose you in frivolous details, let me clear up the major differences between the two frequency options.
Today's standard single frequency Lowrance sonar units transmit a 200 kHz signal with a twenty degree cone angle. The 200 kHz frequency is very sensitive and will give you highly detailed returns. Single frequency sonar units are ideal for most freshwater applications and perform very well in depths up to 1,000 feet with select models. The rapid absorption rate of the 200 kHz signal in saltwater environments limits the single frequency unit's depth range and effectiveness for ocean use considerably. Single frequency sonar units are my top recommendation for use in our inland lakes and rivers.
Dual-frequency sonar units operate with both a 200 kHz signal and a 50 kHz signal. These units are ideal for ocean fishing and extreme water depths. The 50 kHz signal has a much slower absorption rate in saltwater and can reach depths to 3,000 feet (915 m) with select models. The signal detail of the 50 kHz frequency is much cruder however, and returns displayed may be harder to distinguish. The cone angles on the dual-frequency transducer are approximately eleven degrees in 200 kHz and thirty three degrees in 50 kHz. This slightly wider cone angle is one major reason why some anglers choose to use these units to track down rigger balls.
The last option you will encounter when buying your new Lowrance unit could also be one of the most useful; the Global Positioning System, or GPS. GPS capable units can provide more than just a map of where you are; they also supply you with many valuable tools to help take your fishing to the next level. With today's units, you can track your speed, save multiple trolling routes, customize maps with a variety of shapes and symbols, check sun and moon phases, watch for incoming or outgoing tides, compare available boat ramp amenities, and even get phone numbers for local restaurants or hotels. If all this is not enough for you, they can also help you find your way home safely through the fog just in time for dinner.
I have done my best to cover the many options that affect the price you pay, but only YOU can decide which unit fits your needs best. Some boaters only need a basic sonar unit to provide them with depth, water temp, and the occasional fish. Lowrance's X52 can fill these needs very well, and the $189.00 price tag puts this unit well within reach of most budgets. Serious tournament anglers who need something more substantial should look for a more complete unit, and I would definitely recommend a GPS capable model. One of the best buys in this category, and my personal favorite, is the new LMS-520 C for $649.00. For split screen viewing of both sonar and GPS however, the larger 7 inch or even 10.4 inch screens available on some units are a little easier on the eyes. Select models for 2007 are even compatible with Lowrance's new LRA Radar arrays, giving you even more features to help keep you safe on the water.
Here you will find everything you wanted to know to plan a proper fishing trip. Visit our site www.fishingletsgo.com to download your free report and subscribe to our monthly fishing newsletter.
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