smart cast

[shark_hunter]

has qnyone used the hummingbird smart cast. I am thinking about getting one since I don't have a boat I was thinking this could be good for the shore fishing I do. thanks for any help

Joe
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[Fishhound]

[black][size 3]Hey Shark Hunter,[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I have one - actually two. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]The first one I got was an accessory with my Humminbird Matrix fish finder. I have used that one on my boat and on my pontoon as an auxillary and remote casting unit. I have also used it while shore/bank fishing, but it required me carry my Matrix unit and a 12 volt battery to powerr it. That made it a little too heavy and cumbersome to move around. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Then, because I do a lot of fishing while hiking, I picked up one of the new pole mounted units for the portability. As you have noticed, the SmartCast(RF25) is about the size of a watch so it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]As a fish finder, it is a minimalist approach in both features and function. The screen size of the RF25 is very small and there is very little resolution or detail. Nevertheless, from my experience, the range of the sensor's transmission is quite reasonable at around 100+ feet and the max depth is accurate and also measures down to about 100 feet(as verified by my Matrix and Bottom Line fish finders, and with an accurate line counter reel). [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]My RF25 has the clock and water temperature included which is very handy. But, mostly, I only use it to get water depth, to find possible fish holding structure and for water temperature. It does indicate fish, but I usually don't leave the sensor in the water long enough to detect fish. I just cast the sensor out and reel it in making mental notes of the depth, structure and temperature - then I remove the sensor from the water and dry it off so I conserve the battery power.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]On my boat, I have trolled the sensor behind my boat just above my lure to watch for fish - surprisingly, that worked quite well. I have also found quite a few occassions where I was anchored in one place and didn't want to move, but, still wanted to get a better idea of depths or structures that were just beyond the range of my Matrix. However, because of the design, that does tend to drain the sensor's non-replaceable battery. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]The batteries are rated for about 400 hours of operation, but, I don't any idea how many hours I have had mine in use. When the sensor battery dies, it is time to replace the entire sensor - about $20. [/size][/black]
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[size 3][black]The sensor(RF40) I got with my Matrix has been used for about 3 + years, and the sensor(RF45) I got with the SmartCast(RF25) has been for about 1 year - both have only been used sporadically as I described above. [/black][/size]
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[shark_hunter]

thanks for the info fishhound. I got one for fathers day. used it sat it worked really well.

Joe
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