Genetron??

[Erik]

I have the opportunity to purchase a new Genetron graph for $1250. The unit is 3 years old, but has never been on a boat. I have fished with people that have these units on their boats, but would like some opinions regarding their use, durability, accuracy, etc. Are they difficult to read if they are in direct sunlight or the sun is at your back? Do they use a lot of battery power? Are they fairly easy to operate once you get the hang of it (like compared to an X-15)? How would they compare to the X-15 as far a resolution and accuracy? How do they operate in shallow (8-20 ft.) vs. deep water (20-50 ft)? In general, what are the pros and cons of the units.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Erik

[Rich Ramsbacher]

Erik

I used a Genatron for the first time last year and found that it shows fish in shallow water as well as anything I've seen including the X-15. It does fine in deep water also. It is relatively easy to use like any of the units out there you have to just get use to it.

I have an X-85, a Globe 2000, and a Pinpoint on my boat and for looking for fish most of my fishing partners want to watch the Genatron. I like all the units and don't have anything bad to say.

My Genatron is a 1999 model that I had updated and went over by Dick and the gang at Genatron. Dick let me know the costs up front and how long it would take. Had it back in under a week. It is a nice unit and works great. Rich

P>S any question e-mail me at richnkay@btigate.com

[s.f.]

the genetron has the best resolution of any of the graphs being used in fresh water. with it's option of wide beam (72degrees), shallow water or fish suspended right below the surface are obviouly seen better than any other unit. at high speed, there is nothing like it.
schools of fish, tight on the bottem can be seen at 30 miles per hour, easily! as long as they are mounted the way genetron advises, they seem to hold up well under adverse use also. but remember, the guts of these machines are more delicate than the others. for that price, why fish like ray charles? buy the genetron!

[XC]

How well does the Genetron mark fish on the bottom? And is there any target sepetation? What did the updates do to the machine?

Thanks

[XC]

opps, my fat fingers got in the way-- separation should be the proper spelling.

[Fishgut]

Fantastic units are those Genetron's. Questionable service rates and practices. You might want to search the archives around a month ago for a previous discussion on this subject. Keep in mind that no one else can work on these units so when it comes time for service, be prepared to bend over. Dynamite sonar, I must say and a pretty good price for a new one.

[GENETRON]

ERIK & XC. HERE ARE SOME ANSWERS TO SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS. THE GENETRON, IF HOOKED UP PROPERLY, DRAWS APPROX.1.7 AMPS.THE UNIT IS PROTECTED BY A 3 AMP FUSE TO PREVENT SURGES AND DRAWDOWNS FROM PREMATURELY BLOWING THE FUSE. THE GENETRON CAN BE SEEN WHEN DIRECT SUNLIGHT IS SHINING ON THE SCREEN. THE GENETRON CAN DETECT WALLEYES LAYING ON THE BOTTOM. THE RESOLUTION OF THE GENETRON IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST, IF NOT THE HIGHEST, IN THE INDUSTRY AT 128 DOTS PER VERTICAL LINEAR INCH. A GENTLEMAN NAMED JESSE , WHO HAS DONE HIS HOMEWORK, STATED IN A PREVIOUS POST( NOV 22) THAT THE X15 HAS 89 PIXELS PER VERTICAL LINEAR INCH. THIS INFORMATION FROM JESSE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF WHEN COMPARING THE TWO UNITS. THE LABOR RATE FOR REPAIRS IS $60.00 PER HOUR PLUS PARTS AND RETURN SHIPPING. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS. A NEW IN THE BOX GENETRON THAT IS THREE YEARS OLD FOR $1250.00 IS A STEAL BUT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. DICK KNUTSON GENETRON

[s.f.]

i tested most of the graphs available to fresh water fishermen, on the same day, on the same spot, with the intentions of answering your question. i found all the units (lcr technology) to be about the same.
objects, such as a sinker or block of wood 2"x4"x6", showed up on the screen around ten inches off the bottem. the genetron, with fine resolution, showed the object at about 1 to 2 inches off the bottem. the water was 30 ft. deep and the test was over both mud and hard sand with the same results in both bottem situations. amazingly, this can be done at high speed with the same success. so...fish with their fins on the bottem are only going to seen by the genetron. countless stories back this up when the money was on the line. ask dan plautz?
ray charles drives right by some great schools of walleyes...

[Tom/ND]

I've owned a Genetron for years, and like it a lot. In clearer water, when you can crank up the gain, it is incredible.

As far as the visibility in direct sunlight, I felt it was a little hard to see, especially since mine is mounted (on a RAM mount) in a tiller boat, where you look down slightly, and the sun is often at a bad angle. I solved this for less than $5, getting a piece of black plexiglass, heating and bending, and cutting to fit around the unit, fastening into the mounting unit on the sides.

A very good price for this unit. I wouldn't be the least bit afraid to buy it. In fact, if you don't, I have friends who have fished with me and seen my unit who would.

[skipnskul]

Do you have a website?Looking for information on product. Thank you,Mike

[GENETRON]

SKIPNSKUL.NO, WE DO NOT HAVE A WEBSITE. FOR INFO OR A VIDEO CALL701-298-0900 OR WRITE GENETRON 2 BRIARWOOD FARGO,ND 58104 DICK KNUTSON GENETRON PS IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING SONARS IN GENERAL ASK US IN A POST AND WE WILL TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION OBJECTIVELY THANK YOU DICK

[s.f.]

in referance to the negative talk about genetron as a company a few weeks ago, i ask the doubters, has the ceo of any of the other graph/sonar companies come on here with an offer of answering any of your questions?
fish like ray charles or use a genetron?

[Shannon Yeske]

Erik,
You would be a fool not to buy the Genetron, especially at that price. Consider it money well spent even if you were to pay full retail. I have had one for 3 years and wouldn't trade it for anything. I have an LMS-350 right next to it and the 350 doesn't hold a candle to the Genetron. As a tournament fisherman, it more than paid for itself in the first year I owned it. It marks fish in weeds and trees like no other and the separation is extraordinary. The way I look at it, electronics are a very integral part of fishing. I have seen it happen many times where a person will go out and buy a $25,000 boat and put a $150 graph on it. What sense does that make. As quickly as technology is progressing this day and age, you owe it to yourself to have the best piece of equipment money can buy, and one that you can trust. As for the service, I have never had a problem with the graph, so I can't comment on the service. Buy it.

[Sparky]

It seems as if I've had my Genetron forever. I'm guessing around
6 years. It has worked great and Dick has answered any question
when I called. I've never been able to get the high speed bottom
reads that others have but, I also haven't put much time into it.
I don't tournament fish so, I'm usually not in that big of a rush.
I'll probably send it in this winter for the updates just out of
curiosity. I have a 21' aluminum boat, which probably accounts for the high speed read problem, and I'm amazed at the 30' boats I've been on with cartoon fish finders. With the Genetron I have confidence in what it shows me and I pick up fish that others
cruise by and tell me "There isn't anything there!". I can read up to
about 20 - 25 mph. Dick insists that the transducer technology has improved so, I'll probably take him up on it. Two items on my boat have added a tremendous amount of fun and efectiveness to my limited fishing time. They are the Genetron and a TR-1 autopilot. I saved for a while to buy them but, I also haven't regretted either purchase.

[s.f.]

to get optimum or at least better high speed resolution with your genetron,make sure your transducers are tipped up toward the front at least a quarter inch above level. that will make a difference as your hull is obviously at, at least, a small, matching angle.
poor ray charles....
s.f.

[Failstoseethehumor]

To S.F.---Enough of the Ray Charles blind humor. How about using something a little more original like "Where's the beef?"

[s.f.]

i whole heartedly apologize.
s.f.