I'd like to use the existing hull opening and upgrade to a sonar that will show me what the bottom looks like in shallower coves. It currently has a humming bird (prob stock).
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What depth finder / sonar should I get for my 3888
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Originally posted by Southern_Breeze_II View PostAfter having the boat out of the water, I found that they didn't put a through hull transducer on the 3888, its an in hull glued to the hull on the starboard side in the engine room.
The Panoptix's claim to fame is real-time 2D imaging (as opposed to traditional sonars which generate a 1D image and build it up into a 2D image by painting successive 1D stripes as the boat moves forward). The real-time nature is useful for finding and tracking fish, but because the resulting image is lower resolution and constantly changing, it isn't the easiest thing to interpret.
Tried my Garmin Panoptix ... I was a skeptic until I tried it. You can see fish chasing our jig.... Amazing
For simply seeing what the bottom looks like, some sort of high-resolution downs imaging or sidescan sonar will work better. Those usually operate at around 400-800 kHz (as opposed to 80-200 kHz for regular sonar), so have much better resolution (at the cost of less max depth).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i26UqTKDZr0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3BYkA4hyDg
But be forewarned that a down imaging or sidescan transducer is a lot longer than a regular sonar transducer (typically 10-12 inches). It's actually multiple transducers arranged in a row, and the processor uses the echo's arrival time at each transducer to better figure out what the bottom looks like. If you don't have enough clear space at the transom to mount it, you're gonna have to get a thru-hull fairing transducer. Two of them (one on each side) if you want sidescan.
The newer units combine the sidescan data with a 3D GPU to generate a 3D image of the bottom which you can swing around as if you were playing a 3D game. (You normally have to guess height information in sidescan based on shadows. Even though the sonar knows the exact height of each point, it can't display it on a 2D image. But a 3D video card can.) This can make it easier to understand what you're seeing. Resolution tends to suffer, but it's compatible with sidescan (in fact it's the same image data) so you can have both the sidescan view and 3D view displayed simultaneously if you wish.
Lowrance HDS Carbon running Structure Scan 3D - Dean SilvesterClick below to SUBSCRIBE to my channel https://www.youtube.com/c/DeanSilvester?sub_confirmatio...
These are really shallow water tools though. In deeper water, the size of items on the bottom are so small compared to the water depth that the image you get is for all intents and purposes flat.1994 2556, 350 MAG MPI Horizon, Bravo 2
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I placed my Airmar p79 in the pumphouse under the galley sole. Have not had any problems with that location.
James1989 Bayliner 3888, 175 Hinos,
Hurth 630's Onan 8kw MDKD
Lowrance Electronics!
Boating on Georgian Bay & the North Channel
Completed the Great Loop 07/25/19
AGLCA #8340
MTOA# 7469
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Last year I placed my 3 Garmin transducers in the keel of my 3870, they work just fine, I just adjusted the bilge pump to keep enough water in it to submerge the transducers.
This summer I will mount them under the hull using a Garmin fairing, I bought transom mounted transducers as they are much less expensive, but they do not have the studs for bolting, I will epoxy then in after cutting the fairing to match the hull angle for a 180 deg view.
I am also going to mount a transom mount transducer in the bow for a 45 deg angle forward using epoxy.
My 12 inch Garmin has a 10 pin and an 8 pin plug so I can use 2 transducer at the same time.Pat says: DO-IT-RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!
Bayliner 3870 "ALASKA33)
Twin 350 GM power
Located in Seward, AK
Retired marine surveyor
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Boatworkfi,
your idea of mounting a “forward” transducer is intriguing! What kind of image will you get? Wouldn’t you get the depth at a 45° angle?2000 4788 w Cummins 370's, underhulls, swim step hull extension
12' Rendova center console with 40HP Yamaha
MV Kia Orana
Currently Enjoying the PNW
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Originally posted by Woodsea View PostBoatworkfi,
your idea of mounting a “forward” transducer is intriguing! What kind of image will you get? Wouldn’t you get the depth at a 45° angle?
Just keep it low in the water but pointed at an angle.
An inexpensive way to get some forward looking, it will not be a Pantopix but it would be an asset, it is worth a try, some of Garmins transom transducers on eBay are inexpensive.Pat says: DO-IT-RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!
Bayliner 3870 "ALASKA33)
Twin 350 GM power
Located in Seward, AK
Retired marine surveyor
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Originally posted by Woodsea View PostBoatworkfi,
your idea of mounting a “forward” transducer is intriguing! What kind of image will you get? Wouldn’t you get the depth at a 45° angle?
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Originally posted by Woodsea View PostBoatworkfi,
your idea of mounting a “forward” transducer is intriguing! What kind of image will you get? Wouldn’t you get the depth at a 45° angle?
For the OP, I have a Garmin Stryker depth/fish finder. It does operate at 3' and show bottom detail. As with any unit, you have to learn to decode what the display is saying.
The unit lists at $120, with a transom 'ducer and is user installable. It measures water temp to the 1/100 th of a degree. In hull mounting negates the temp reading.
Captharv 2001 2452
"When the draft of your boat exceeds the depth of water, you are aground"
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