ShowDown Sonar Stuff

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I recently succumbed to the allure of the ShowDown and bought a unit to try...both for ice fishing and later to rig up on my tube for vertical jigging applications. Before buying, I spent a fair amount of time in online research and in communication with other anglers who had already bought them. Here are my observations...to date.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. Still new in the market, with some issues left to be established over a longer period of time. Some owners swear by them. Others swear at them. We need to see just how well they function after a couple of seasons of hard use...and what the glitches and mechanical failure rates are.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]2. The technology and concepts are great. Showing the display as a vertical column, rather than on a circular dial makes them easier to read. Also, the half inch separation is fantastic. Makes it much easier to see fish tight on the bottom...or to separate individual fish in a small school. Most flashers have about a 2.5 inch separation...which makes it difficult to see fish close to the bottom.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]3. The units are small and light. The "footprint" is only 5" X 7" and the padded case stores easily in a small space in your sled.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]4. Even though the ShowDown has higher peak to peak power than most other flashers, it sucks less battery power. The 7 amp/hour battery that comes standard in the package is projected to run about 30 hours without charging. However, it is good to recharge after every use and not drain the battery. Also, I have substituted one of the smaller 4 amp batteries I have been using for my float tube sonar, and it will easily provide plenty of power for a full day on the ice. About half the weight as the larger battery. Also, since I bought the 4 amp at NPS store, for only 70 cents a pound, it only cost me about 10 percent of what a new 7 amp costs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]5. Even though the vertical display is easier to read (for most anglers), it is a small screen and the tiny lines can be difficult to see from a distance. In the video on the ShowDown website, the guy who is demoing the unit is kneeling in the snow, in front of the hole. That don't work for big fat old guys like me. I like to sit or stand. So, I fabbed a simple PVC (what else) tripod stand to raise it up a bit. (See attached PDF file on the construction).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]6. The unit comes with a little swingout arm, which holds the transducer cord just above the hole. There is a sliding rubber stopper to adjust the depth of the 'ducer to fit the depth of the ice. I don't like having my sonar in the same hole I am fishing. Too many opportunities for tangles, etc. So, I rigged my ducer cord with a piece of a ring from a foam "noodle"...like kids use in swimming pools. Works fine. (see pic). Also, with the 18 degree angle cone, the target area is about twice as large as the narrow 9 degree cone of other flashers. You do not need the 'ducer directly over your jig to see it. At 30 feet deep, the area within the cone is about 10 feet in diameter. Drilling another hole a foot away from the hole you are fishing in...for the transducer...does not noticeably affect the accuracy of the display and your jigs show up fine.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]7. The ShowDown DOES allow you to shoot through the ice for quick depth readings, etc. All you need to do is clear the snow, make sure the ice is relatively clear and free of slush and air bubbles and then dribble a bit of water on the ice. Carry a Thermos with unfrozen water if you plan to do this. Sit the end of the 'ducer quickly on the wetted ice area...adding more water if needed. It will read depth and may even show the fishies below.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]8. Saved the best for last...the ZOOM feature. You can set the zoom for any part of the water column...or set it for auto and it will display only the bottom 25% of the water column. This is huge for perch jerkers. The lines are thicker in the zoom mode. And, you don't have to fiddle with it if you move from hole to hole in different depths. It automatically displays just the bottom 25%.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Attaching some pics from the owners manual to show the layout of the buttons and other features.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also: [url "http://www.showdownfishfinder.com/"]http://www.showdownfishfinder.com/[/url][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have received feedback from a couple of other BFTers who have the ShowDown, but would appreciate any other comments...favorable or otherwise.[/#0000ff]
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[lov2fish]

cool set up TD. How is the price on these bad boys i have just a regular humming bird fish finder witch i try but no good on the ice. I’ve been looking for one that works for both open water and ice.[fishin]
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[Hooter_Patrol]

Hey TubeDude,
I totally agree with you, and the stand is purity cool also,
I used the Vexilar float on mine, but the way you done yours is just as good. I will try the 4amp Battery also
I have only had mine for two months or so and I have not had any problems with it at all and I really like mine so fare ,
I also have been using mine in the same hole but will try doing the secant hole next to it ,
TubeDude I like the way you done the article great job []
and I also think ShowDown will be the next must have flasher as soon as people start seeing them in use, and see how they hold up? let me know how yours is doing and if you have any problems with it Thanks.
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[Bountyhunter]

Hi TD, glad you are enjoying your new toy. I purchased one last winter and to honest I really dislike it.
First off the little arm that you hang the transducer off breaks easily. Be very careful with it as I have gone through 3 already. My unit still has problems reading the bottom depth in water over 20 feet deep. Last time I used it it took forever to read the death I was fishing in to a point were I simply turned it off!
Even though the unit comes with a one year warranty, buyer beware. I have tried to have my unit replaced or repaired (within the warranty period) due to clutter and the described depth reading issues, the company received my finder then sent it back without repairing it claiming they replaced the "ducer" when they hadn't (I new this by specific scrathes placed on the unit).
Im not a fan of the showdown for obvious reasons and regret not buying a flasher unit.
Hopefully I got a dud and your unit is without fault.

Cheers! Todd
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[Old_Coot]

Thanks for sharing that great info and pictures on what looks to be a pretty nice oufit. I like it's size and weight too. I would like to try one some day.
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[Hooter_Patrol]

Hey BH,
It sounds like the sensitivity is set way to high, as far as the clutter and as far as it not picking up the bottom mine has done that and I turn it off and back on and it picks it right up, also like TD said just use a float on the transducer, I can see that the transducer arm would break if you was not careful, but I am glad I got mine it has worked beautiful scents I've had it.
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[Kent]

I purchased mine on eBay for $249.99 delivered.
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[Kent]

[frown][frown][frown][frown][frown][frown] I shipped mine back yesterday. The young (the older I get the more women fit in this category) lady promised to ship me a new one out right away, rather than waiting to get the old one repaired (I haven't received a confirmation email that it has been shipped -- so we shall see). I also have never been a fan of using an arm to guide the transducer down the hole. I do not want my fish finder that close to the hole anyway. I had an extra Vexilar float and attached it to the transducer cable. I also like how easily it was for one to tilt the screen for easier viewing (much easier to tilt than my prior Vexilar).
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Listed at $269 on the SD website and that is what Cabelas sells them for. I bought mine through Cabelas because they have a great return policy if you get a dud.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I still have to set up the rigging for open water, from my float tube. But, after seeing the way it is mounted on the battery box I know just how to set it up on the tube. I will take pics and post up when I get it rigged.[/#0000ff]
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[Q_Ball]

Nice report TD. I have only had mine since Dec. but I love it, although it has taken a bit to get it dial in on the first few trips, I am pretty fast at changing the setting to adjust for different conditions. noise is at 1-2 most of the time and sensitivity around 8-15 just high enough to see my jigs in both holes as solid lines.
P.S. If anyone wants to check one out? I will be at East Canyon saturday unless someone has a honey hole at the berry they want to share.
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[Hooter_Patrol]

Hey Q_Ball,
I agree with you it is all in dialing it in when you start first fishing, it dose take a little to figure it out, but ones you do they work great and it dose get a lot easeir to do, and the setting you are running is about the same as what I'm running give or take ? How close are you putting your holes to see both jigs?
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[Q_Ball]

Both holes are inside my tent(QF3) so 70" if one the same side or 85" in opposite corners. the second jig is harder to see clearly below 30' and still keep out the clutter so i use a small castmaster(nice and thick, strong signal) as a flasher 12" above the jig and on the main hole i use an old blade from a blue fox lure or swedish pimple( just something thin and small with lighter signal return) the jig line on the second hole usually flashes in and out unless i zoom in but i can still see it.
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[Kent]

Why not drill a hole about 1/2 way between the two holes that you are fishing and drop the transducer down that hole?
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[Q_Ball]

Thats were my heater, stove goes to make omelets and soup. silly! I do drill another hole if someone goes with me but with a hand auger, less is more for me.
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[keystonecop]

[font "Times New Roman"]I used mine last weekend on an all nighter at the berry. I had it on for 10 hours in -25 degree temps. It worked great. It is amazing how it will show an ice fly at 35 foot deep. I am very glad that I got the showdown. I picked mine up on KSL for $225. [/font]

[Kent]

I just got notified that my Showdown is shipping. That is great service.
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[Q_Ball]

great! hope you have better luck with this one.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I hope there is some ice left by the time you get it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wanna plan a team up trip so that we can work on them together?[/#0000ff]
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