Question on best sonar

S

syrupdawg

Member
I just bought 2 tzt2-12's and a dff3 and was going to use a r599 l/h transducer. Looking for good bottom picture anywhere from 100' to 2000' for swords. The transducer hasn't shipped yet and I was talking to my fiberglass guy and he said they have had better detail with the 1kw chirp thru hull transducers than the bigger shoot thru. Would I be better off to send the dff3 back and get a dff1-uhd and a thru hull chirp transducer? Or I could keep the dff3 and get 2 thru hulls a low and high frequency. I could then run both at the same time right?
 
Syrupdawg,
I prefer wet faced transducers over in-hull. I also prefer transducers that use fairing blocks over pocket/flush mounted. To that I would favor the R509LH or R509LHW over the R599LH. However if you have a fast boat you will need to look CM599 due to the speed limitations of the R509. You have two options for the HF side of either going narrow or wide. Narrow is better at detecting thermoclines and wide is better for shallow (200ft) fishing. Frequency = depth and from testing the 500 series has a pretty flat response from 30-40Khz. In the past I like the performance around 38Khz.

Hope this information helps.

Snips
 
Yea I have a 33' center console that I trailer so the fairing block is out of the question. Would I be better off to go with the dff1-uhd and a tilted thru hull or just keep the 599?
 
Syrupdawg,
So it comes down between choosing between the in-hull R599/DFF3 or the flush mount 175's/DFF1-UHD correct?

Snips
 
Yes that's my choices. I fish anywhere from 100' bottom fishing to yellowfin at the rigs, and daytime swordfishing.
 
Syrupdawg,
I don't think either set up with give you the deep water performance you are looking for. Both transducers will be subject to turbulence so expect the LF side to wash out at higher speeds. But of the two I would lean towards the UHD/175.

Snips
 
How will neither perform in deep water situation? If you think the 175L and 175H will be a better fit for me I'll just order them and see if I can exchange my dff3 for the dff1-uhd.
 
Syrupdawg,
Very difficult to predict the deep water of either.
I try to stay away from any in-hull transducers because of their lack of performance. Another thing I look at is that the R599 is a low "Q" transducer. So judging hard/soft bottom will be more difficult using the DFF3. Yes the 175 is a low "Q" also but you would be Chirping it with the UHD so it will produce a better bottom tail. I know hard/soft bottom wasn't part of your original question but it can help in identifying structures on the bottom.

Snips
 
I guess I can just stick with the 599 for now. If I'm not happy with it I guess I'll look into other options. I wish there was a way to mount a 3kw pocket mount wet faced on my boat.
 
Syrupdawg,
I understand.
After you get it in and go fishing, could you post a few screen shots for us?

Good fishing.

Snips
 
Yes sir. I talked to airmar this morning and they said the 599 would be overkill. I told them that's what I want. "Anything worth doing is work over doing. Moderation is for cowards."
 
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