I'm wondering if anyone has used any of the Smartcast series of depth finder on your canoe trips.  I want something light for the portages, and the only discussion I've seen is of the Pirhanamax ones and they seem to be a lot of weight with the battery.  My concern is that these small depth finders wont show much detail.

Hey rdavis,
welcome aboard, as Old Salt would say

As some one who seems to always forget to use the "search" mode in this terrific website myself, I feel very qualified to help.

At the very top of the page you can click on "search". Fill out the parameters and you may find what you are looking for.

BTW, my advice is to search "depthfinders" and go into the "fishing tips". Pay particular attention to the advice that Kingfisher has on both fishing AND his depth finder set-up. There are pics here somewhere showing you how to do it. Top notch really and inexpensive. (don't waste your money on a smartcast)

here is a good thread about the Humminbird Smartcast

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Couldn't be happier with the cuda II set up.  [smiley=thumbup.gif] [smiley=thumbup.gif]

I looked for the Cuda II and didn't find anything.  Could anyone give me more info on this product and the setup.  I'm concerned about the weight and the transducer setup.

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I think the new version is called the "Humminbird pirhanamax 230".
It runs on 8 aa batteries and has a transducer with a suction cup and the smartcast wirless transducer. I hope this link works. Or just look at Cabelas, fishing, portable electronics, humminbird. It looks like a good unit just a little steep on the price. Maybe I can convince "the one who shall be obeyed" next year.

partschaser09 wrote on May 14^th, 2010 at 2:19pm:

I looked for the Cuda II and didn't find anything.  Could anyone give me more info on this product and the setup.  I'm concerned about the weight and the transducer setup.

Do a search on "cuda."  Most of the discussion is about 3 years old and back then the units discussed were the 168 and 242.  Part of the "Fish Finder Recommendation" thread discusses these units, powering with AA's and alternate transducer mounting options.  These are intermixed with discussion of other units.

dd

Try this thread:

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Current Eagle Cuda is the 300 and it sells for about $80. Way better value than the Smartcast.

rdavis1964

Sorry cuda II is wrong, cuda 242 is correct. It may be similar to the Eagle Cuda 300? Perhaps a few models from other manufacturers to choose from as well.

One of the things I like about it is it's fairly lightweight and compact. No plastic box to protect it but, as others have stated, has not been a problem when attached to a thwart. The whole set up can fit into a fanny pack.

After a good bit of research, it seems you have to purchase a suction cup type transducer if you use a standard depth finder.  That being the case, you might as well get the Hummingbird 230, which has all the equipment you need for portability and uses AA batteries, which should make it lighter than any other option.  
Anyone out there have one of these and can comment?

Most Eagle, Lowrance and Humminbird locater models are available in a portable version which means they come with a case, battery pack and suction cup transducer. Bear in mind that these portable units are designed to be used in fishing boats. That means there is little consideration given to packed size and weight and the transducer will be designed for the transom of a boat - not exactly the ideal orientation for canoe use. Generally, these portable versions sell for about double the price of the fixed mount units.
An alternative is to adapt a fixed mount locater for specific use with a canoe. If you search around this site a bit all the info is here or send me a PM and I'll help you out.

You can also buy just a suction-cup mount for Eagle/Lowrance transducers at many outdoors stores.  It's pretty cheap.  Far cheaper than buying the portable versions of the depth finders.  The only other thing you'll need is a 8AA battery holder which is like $1.99 at Radio Shack and you are in business

Good deal!

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[quote author=Kingfisher link=1273575823/10#13 date=1275820091]Good deal!

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***************
KF,

You were right when you told me a year ago to "wait" on my purchase (which I didn't) and that a GOOD DEAL (like this one) would eventually turn up!

Oh well, you win some, lose some.  For anyone in the market, Darrel is right; this is a GOOD deal!

Jimbo   8-)

it's not easy to compare depth finders particularly in the sub 100.00 range. i just picked up an Eagle 245 DS. Was also looking at Lowrance X4 and X4 Pro.  
Anyone have a preference on any of these? Any experience with the Eagle 245 DS  ?
I will end up converting to AA and find a way to shoot through the hull.
I miss the Vexilar LC10....sigh...

You probably already know this but Lowrance and Eagle are essentially the same company. Eagle has always been a slightly less expensive version of Lowrance locaters. I like the both the X4 and X4pro in that price range. Eagle Cuda is about as cheap as you can get a full function locater and it does a fine job for a unit that is frequently available for less than $70.

thanks kingfisher.
the eagle 245 was priced right between the x4  and x4 pro. and yes the external housing and buttons on the unit are identical. the way the specifications on the packaging was written, it was impossible to compare units. maybe i'll take it back and get the lowrance instead. it's a 5 min drive to basspro...

zski wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2011 at 4:10am:

it's a 5 min drive to basspro...

zski you lucky son of a gun! ;)

zski wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2011 at 4:10am:

thanks kingfisher. the eagle 245 was priced right between the x4  and x4 pro. and yes the external housing and buttons on the unit are identical. the way the specifications on the packaging was written, it was impossible to compare units. maybe i'll take it back and get the lowrance instead. it's a 5 min drive to basspro...

Note that I said less expensive NOT less quality. I have and use both Lowrance and Eagle locaters and I have as yet failed to notice a difference in function or quality. For that reason I would compare features and go with the better value.

No need to over think this, from what I've seen all units from Eagle, Lowrance and Humminbird that sell for under $100 are essentially identical in features and function. None of them really rise above the others as a top pick.

FWIW, I currently use a couple of Eagle Cuda units (242 and 300)
for canoe tripping but seriously covet a color display model for my next locater. My only concern is the power consumption which is slightly more for the color units.

first of all i was flat wrong about "impossible to compare".
it appears that the eagle 245 ds is like the lowrance x4 pro in many respects.

Eagle 245 & Lowrance X4 pro:  1500W peak to peak output, 60 & 120 deg cones, 1000' max depth.
Lowrance X4: 800W output, 60 deg cone, 600' max depth.

So:  600' is good enough, 120 deg cone is nice but not necessary, 1500W is almost double 800W power output. what this translates to in battery consumption is prob most important to me. i really don't know nor can i find battery life ratings on these, so most likely it's best to take the safer route and go with the X4 (that is if someone can shed some light on battery life).

Kingfisher wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2011 at 11:49am:

FWIW, I currently use a couple of Eagle Cuda units (242 and 300) for canoe tripping but seriously covet a color display model for my next locater. My only concern is the power consumption which is slightly more for the color units.

Have you converted the 242 to AA?
What's 242 battery consumption like?

Check to see if every time you turn the unit on if it has the back light on while it is starting up.  I have a Eagle Fishmark 320.  The manual for it lists that it is designed to run on 10 to 15 Volts.  I question that because they are normally used in boats that have 16 Volts across the battery while they are charging and near full charge. Eagle sells a portable kit that uses 8 D cells.  I made a battery holder for 8 C cells and tested the unit at home and it appeared to work ok. I put new batteries in it and went on a canoe trip. On about day 2 it started having trouble finding the bottom and would search for a long time.  On day 3 when the unit was turned on with the back light in full battery sucking mode it would load the battery down and shut its self off.     When I got home I cut the wires to the back light and the unit would work on the batteries from the trip. I have since started using 12 batteries and found the unit works much better.  The unit can now see a split shot and a twisty tail and tell they are 2 items as they are cranked up from the bottom.  I have gotten more than 12 days use out of 12 C batteries.  This spring I have used the unit several days running on 12 AA batteries and it works well.  Although This unit is a very good unit I believe the smaller units are more suited to canoes but check the back lighting on whatever unit you are considering. If it is incandescent and is on while the unit is turning on it’s a battery killer.

zski wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2011 at 9:05pm:

Kingfisher wrote on Apr 23rd, 2011 at 11:49am: FWIW, I currently use a couple of Eagle Cuda units (242 and 300) for canoe tripping but seriously covet a color display model for my next locater. My only concern is the power consumption which is slightly more for the color units. Have you converted the 242 to AA? What's 242 battery consumption like?

I run an Eagle 168 (same unit as a 242 but doesn't come with the plastic caddy).

I'm a "thru the hull" shooter (which likely takes slightly more power) and I run 8-AA Lithium Batt's.  I don't have to replace them on a two-week trip, but I'd say I'm a light to medium user (don't tend to fish all day).

dd

zski wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2011 at 9:05pm:

Kingfisher wrote on Apr 23rd, 2011 at 11:49am: FWIW, I currently use a couple of Eagle Cuda units (242 and 300) for canoe tripping but seriously covet a color display model for my next locater. My only concern is the power consumption which is slightly more for the color units. Have you converted the 242 to AA? What's 242 battery consumption like?

Both the Eagle Cuda 242 and 300 are run on 8AA lithium batteries - I converted both. One set of lithiums could get me through a trip if I conserve locater use. I take at least two sets and sometimes 3 depending on how important fishing is for each trip. Overall performance of both locaters was improved when I upgraded to lithium batteries. To conserve power do not run the locater alot over really deep water. The unit will modulate power to output just what is needed to bounce off the bottom and back to the receiver. Batteries last longer fishing in 20 feet vs 200 feet. Also do not use the backlight. And do not forget to turn the unit off when not in use. I've blown a whole set of batteries by accidently leaving the unit on overnight.
Neither the Cuda 242 or the 300 default to backlight when turned on. Whatever settings were in use when the power was turned off will be those that display when the unit is turned back on again except for backlight which is always off after start up and needs to be turned on when needed.

I believe the numbers for Eagle Cuda 168, 242 and 300 refer to the number of pixels in each unit thus the 300 will yield a slightly better picture than the other two.

When you adapt your power source to the AA configuration, I'd make sure to put a fuse in the line and pack a few extra fuses.  I decided to use a small blade fuse carrier.  I was a little concerned about carrying the barrel-shaped glass fuses.

dd

What size amp fuses did you use DD?
Andy

Android wrote on Apr 24^th, 2011 at 2:18pm:

What size amp fuses did you use DD? Andy

5 amp.

although this topic (and others) are often revisited, sometimes there's a specific piece or pieces of information that are still needed to put the puzzle together for an individual application. I wouldn't say priceless because were "only" talking about <100.00 piece of electronics. BUT. having batteries die prematurely, or some circuit fry on day 2 because a fuse was absent, or ...fillintheblank... collectively makes a big difference overall. Thanks for reiterating, reminding, and adding new insight from experience, ultimately saving me time and frustration. youse guyz are alright.

I saw in an ad today that Cabela's is now selling a combination locater/GPS unit for under $150. I believe it was the Eagle Cuda 350.

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[quote author=Kingfisher link=1273575823/30#30 date=1304050955]I saw in an ad today that Cabela's is now selling a combination locater/GPS unit for under $150. I believe it was the Eagle Cuda 350.

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Just quickly scanning the manual for the 350, it looks like the typical fine-grained resolution of dedicated GPS units will be a little skimpy with this unit.  The manual states that the maximum degree of detail is presented at the 20 mile level.  You can zoom in from there, but the degree of detail doesn't change.  I'd have to go back and check, but I think I've programmed my hand-held Garmin unit to provide maximum detail when I zoom down to about 2 tenths of a mile scale.

dd

Picked up a Lowrance X4
From Radio Shack: 8 AA battery pack, in-line fuse holder, some 9v type connectors. Used 3A fuse because that's what the manual described.
Connected it all up last night and hit the power switch hoping for signs of life and ... nothing. Not sure what went wrong. It all seemed pretty straightforward.

well this is embarrassing. the 9v connectors swap neg/pos - what can i say, it was late.  ok now.

Lowrance and Eagle locaters are on sale here. These are probably going to be some of the lowest prices of the season.

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[quote author=Kingfisher link=1273575823/30#34 date=1304396170]Lowrance and Eagle locaters are on sale here. These are probably going to be some of the lowest prices of the season.
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The X4 is 30.00 less than what i paid at BassPro 1 week ago. Maybe BP will still cover the difference. Tanks!