i picked up the Lowrance X-4 last year. Converted to AA from info provided on QJ. used the 'cup filled with water' method for the transducer early in the year and it worked well. Later in the year encapsulated the cigar shaped transducer in a block of silicone. Silicone the transducer on day 1 of our Q trip and it stayed put and worked great all week.  8aa batteries lasted all week in spite of forgetting to turn it off one night. doh!