|
This Zebco thing sounds great....
|
05-27-2006, 06:21 PM
[url "http://www.zebco.com/catalog/fishfinder.html"]Click here: Welcome to Zebco.Com[/url] on the fish finder.. what do u guys and gals think about it? It shows it can be used on TUBING!
[signature] 
05-28-2006, 12:04 AM
[cool][#0000ff]We have discussed these before, but nobody has bought one to try it out. The advertising copy looks good, but until you try it under fishing conditions there is no way to know how much is marketing and how much is reality.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
05-29-2006, 11:36 AM
[cool][#0000ff]I have been codgertatin' on it, and I think I will get one to try out on some shallow weedy lakes...like Mantua and Pelican. There are times and places you do not need all the bells and whistles, or high-powered "real time" readouts. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]The compact and light weight feature alone would make it a good item for any trip where you had to trudge your tube back a ways to get to the water. And, since I also do some ice fishing, I am interested to check out the "through the ice" feature they advertise. Sometimes it would be great to be able to check depth below the ice without having to drill holes.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]I plan to get one soon and I will report on it.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [signature]
05-29-2006, 11:55 AM
[black][size 3]This is virtually the same thing as the HawkEye portable - except the Zebco is $40 less at only $59. Beeman over on the Utah board has an Hawkeye that I saw him use on Strawberry for ice fishing. It was real sweet for getting a depth reading with out all the hassle of setting up a regular finder. He carried it in his pocket. Although I didn't see him do it, he said that he can get a reading through the ice with it. [/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black] [black][size 3]For the size and price, it sounds like a reasonable gadget for several things: Quick ice fishing readings, finding holding fish under docks or overhangs using the side finder feature, or remotely(within the 25 foot cable distance) spot fishing in holes. [/size][/black] [black][size 3][/size][/black] [black][size 3]However, when I down loaded the Manual, I didn't like how the unit shows the bottom structure or weeds. It also does not have a water temp sensor - which I like on a fish finder read out. [/size][/black] [signature]
05-29-2006, 12:44 PM
[cool][#0000ff]As any technogeek could figure out in a hurry, a low-wattage compact unit like that would never replace something with higher power and more useable features. BUT...it could have some applications. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]If someone had a budget for only one sonar system, for a tube or toon, then they should go with a 12 volt unit that has a bigger and better display and more real info. I also like having temp readout, as well as grayline and variable fish displays. [/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]The only times I can see using the smaller system would be to reduce weight when hauling your gear more than a few yards to the water, and where you really don't have a need for temp readings or deep structure display. Like I said, summertime fishing in shallow weedy waters might be okay. Also, as you point out, being able to do some directional "side finding" could be useful, as would being able to check depth through the ice.[/#0000ff] [signature]
05-29-2006, 01:12 PM
[black][size 3]Agreed ! If a person only had a budget for one unit, a different fish finder with more features would be the way to go. [/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black] [black][size 3]As you know, I do have a over surplus of gadgets that I use - this also applies to electronics some of which have only a certain application. Like my SmartCast fish finder and my Fishing buddy (with sidefinder). Neither one replaces my Large full blown Humminbird with all the bells and whistles. [/size][/black] [black][size 3][/size][/black] [black][size 3]However, I have found that with a little forthought and experimentation, those smaller units do have thier place in my fish finding endeavors.[/size][/black] [signature]
05-29-2006, 05:59 PM
Interesting discussion. Fishhound's comment about the multiple gadgets is a good one. It depends on your type of fishing and what you're trying to accomplish. I find the often maligned Fishin' Buddy with its narrow 9 degree to be quite useful when fishing for trout in shallow lakes. In that situation a good reading on fish beneath you is nearly useless (other than telling you the depth) since you probably won't fish for them in 5 or 6 feet of water beneath your tube. The sidefinder however is very useful for spotting cruising trout in water less than 6 feet. (By the way, Bottom Line has a new Buddy model that has an 18 degree cone.) Likewise, the Smartcast is useful when fishing from the bank since there is no way to use a conventional finder in that situation. Often our differing opinions are more the result of the type of fishing we do than a difference in functionality.
Something to keep in mind. z~ [signature]
05-29-2006, 07:58 PM
I have the fishing buddy too and like the way it works down and sides. I wonder if the other three Zebro [size 1]Smartcast and Hawkeye[/size] hand held do the same?
[signature]
05-31-2006, 06:22 PM
[#505000]Interestingly enough I have a Hawkeye..... I bought it before I bought my high powered Fishmark 480.[/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000] [#505000]For the price it's not a bad unit. In deeper water I would rather have the Fishmark, but for places like Utah Lake where it's real shallow it's great for temp, and depth. In fact last year on my first tubing trip I hollared at Tubedude some to get depth and temps from his "real" fish finder and my little hawkeye was pretty much right on.[/#505000] [#505000][/#505000] [#505000]If I'm too lazy to break out the Fishmark I still use the [/#505000][#505000]hawkeye. I keep in the pocket of my toon. [/#505000] [#505000][/#505000] [#505000]I think it would be kinda worthless for seeing what the fish are doing but great for depth and temp.[/#505000] [signature]
05-31-2006, 06:44 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I feel like I have been USED.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Hey Gary, I plan to get one of those little Zebcos just to try out in the situations where you don't need super info. We can compare readouts.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Going to Yuba tomorrow and Starvation and Pelican next Thursday and Friday. Open?[/#0000ff] [signature]
05-31-2006, 08:36 PM
Wouldn't on of those humming bird wrist things do that if you just tied the transducer to your toob and dragged it. I have thought about one of those but this might be better. Does anyone have one of the wrist or pole mount dohickies?
[signature]
05-31-2006, 09:11 PM
[cool][#0000ff]There are several "portable" and lower priced sonar units. The Hawkeye (mentioned by Carp_Punisher) and the Smartcast are two in the field. Most serious anglers dismiss them as being designed more to catch fishermen than to catch fish. But, as we will all admit, there are times when tubing that you don't need much more information than those little gadgets provide.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]They all work, to some extent. However, if you are serious and want serious information from your sonar, you will do better by buying something with a larger display screen and more features.[/#0000ff] [signature]
05-31-2006, 10:28 PM
[#505000]I was planning on hitting Lincoln tomorrow after work seeing how mother nature blew my four day weekend out of the water so to speak with with that nasty cold front. Other than tomorrow after work this week and next week are shot. Springville has it's upcoming celebration starting in a few days and going into next week which means most all my free time is already shot. Until after the 10th. How is your July?? I'll have my people call your people and we'll do lunch!! [
 ][/#505000] [#505000]After the 11th I do plan to invade the Taylorsville area for a Fish Cat 4 decorating session if that's cool.[/#505000] [signature]
05-31-2006, 10:36 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Just give me at least 15 minutes notice (head start) so I can be gone when you get here.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Will be glad to have a pimping party for your new ride.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Wait 'til you see the new paint jobs I'm gonna do on our Fat Cats. Mine will have a shark head on each side. TubeBabe will have purple flames. I think I have found some auto carpet and vinyl paint/dye that will work on the tube covers.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]I'm headed for Yuba in the AM.[/#0000ff] [signature]
06-01-2006, 12:30 PM
DanL...
I have the Humminbird Smartcast 30... I have the remote unit attached via a steel leader to my frame under the seat of my pontoon...I attached the wrist mount to my front rod holder...you can see it in the pics I posted under the "New Guy on the block" post.... Its fine for depth and marks fish ok however it gives me nothing about bottom detail...I am really wishing I had done more research but I am just starting out with the pontoon and thought this was decent at the time... Bguy64 [signature]
06-01-2006, 06:13 PM
[black][size 3]I have the Smartcast Pole mount fishfinder - I thinks it's called the model 25. I works quite well for finding depth, water temperature and it even marks fish. I don't think I would want to use it as my sole fish finder for all situations. It is accurate as I compared it side by side with my Fishing Buddy and my Hummingird Matrix, but it does not have the sensitivity nor the ability to distinguish bottom make up, structure and a few other details.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black] [black][size 3]One thing about using the Smartcast system that you should be aware of - The remote sensor that you attach to your line, has a built in battery that can NOT be replaced - you have to buy the whole sensor(about $20), and the battery has a automatic turn on/off switch that works when the sensor is in water or wet. If you attach the sensor to your tube and leave it in the water, you will run the battery down and have to replace the sensor. What I do is this - I only use the Smartcast for a few minutes at a time to find the depth, water temp, and structure, and then quickly dry off the sensor and put it away. [/size][/black] [black][size 3][/size][/black] [black][size 3]This Zebco looks like it could have the potential to be a good device for getting quick readings and it could be left in the water for continueous read outs as well. I would suggest downloading the Owners Manual from that Web Site and read up on it to see if it would be what you want. [/size][/black] [signature]
06-13-2006, 08:20 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I bought one, and got it rigged up, but haven't had it on the water yet. I will be giving it a try someday soon and will do a review.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]In the meantime, the main negatives I can see are the lack of temp readings and the fact that it does not show bottom contour or grayline. Those two "missing links" alone are insurance that it will not be replacing my Cuda 168EX or Fishmark 320. But, there are a couple of shallow weedy lakes that I have in mind for it in which it might do well.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]I mounted the transducer to a 3/8" PVC shaft. Screws right in. The transducer has a wing nut to allow you to position the beam either horizontal or vertical. Good-O.[/#0000ff] [signature]
06-14-2006, 01:26 AM
[#0000ff][size 1]I mounted the transducer to a 3/8" PVC shaft. Screws right in. The transducer has a wing nut to allow you to position the beam either horizontal or vertical. [/size][/#0000ff][#0000ff][size 1]
[black][size 3]That's neat! I was wondering about that part "hor" and "ver". [/size][/black] [black][size 3]BTW I got a change to get away from work Friday afternoon and asked a buddy if he wanted to go and it was kinda coolish and windy to belly float so took [size 1]the canoe.[/size][size 3] I had to control the [size 1]canoe[/size] and fish the same time and tell my buddy how it works catching those bass tight to the covers. He did good and caught about seven nice bass none over three pounds tho. I did ok only three about his size until I had one looking to five pounder and it jumped and threw the lure right back at us! Wind took us all the way back and I told him lets paddle all the way up and drift back then we can quit for the day. While drifting half way [/size][/size][/black][black][size 3][size 3] he had a hard strike. It fought pretty hard than a bass would do, his rod bent a lot more than he was used to seeing it. I saw the flash of the fish and my eyes got wide! He landed a 36 inch northern pike! OOOOH darn I never had the camera at the right time!!! First time for him on that lake and first day of fishing for me! We only fished four hours and it started out great! He goes "lets do this again!"[/size][/size][/black] [size 3]Will be waiting for your report on the Zebco![/size][/size][/#0000ff] [signature] |
|
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
]
