50kHz/200kHz X-15 and X-16 Dual Transducer

[Goose]

Is anyone currently using (or has used) the X-15 or X-16 Dual Transducer (50kHz/200kHz) in shallow water under 30 feet? I was told that the 50kHz/200kHz transducer for the x-15/X-16 would not work in that shallow of water. One would see only a black screen because of the amount of power being sent into the water. This was told to me by a Lowrance rep at the MPLS boat show. But when I looked at the X-15/X-16 Emulator on the Lowrance web site the Dual Tranceducer (50kHz/200kHz) read out is all under 30 feet and it look like it was working fine. Now I would never base a buy on that but wouldn't you think the Simulator would be more accurate than that? Looking for real field imput on this one.

Thanks,

Goose

[geo]

I know two guys that have them on there boats for lake michigan and they work great I ordered one for my 619 and was going to put it on until ranger told me it will not fit it is to big to mount were it is suppose to be nounted

[bobco]

My concern and the reason I did not get a dual freq xducer is that the 200khz is advertised as only 12 degree vs 21 for the 200khz skimmer, I was afraid this would be to narrow for shallow water.

[KP]

My Interphase Advantage is dual frequency and I use the 50KHz often while cruising in water less than 10 feet. The wide angle allows me to view more structure and bottom changes. Once in place, I switch to 200KHz for more detail. Though it's rated at 1000 watts RMS and 8000 peak to peak, it has a variable control that allows me to dail it down to as little as 10 watts. I would figure if it ran at full power all the time, the 50KHz setting would not work well in shallow water.

[JBL]

It is very odd that a Lowrance rep would tell you that. The unit adjusts the power level based on the strength of the signal that is returned to the transducer, so only in a deep water or salt water situation would the unit be using anything near the max 1000w rms.

I have the dual transducer and paddle wheel on my X15mt, it works correctly in shallow or deep water. The 50mhz has poor detail, but a wider 36 degree cone. The 200mhz is only a 12 degree cone, so in shallow water you would be "viewing" a small section of the water/bottom under your boat. If I were doing it over again, I'd save the $100 and get the single transducer because it has a wider 21 degree cone. The single transducer also has the built in temp sensor.

good luck with your decision

[Goose]

So JBL you have used the 50kHz setting in less that 20 feet of water? The screen did not blank out? What type of lakes do you fish Rock, muck, sand or weeds?

Thanks

Goose

[iamwalleye1]

Hey GEO
I just ordered mine with it! The dealer said it would work glassed in. Am I going to have problems?

[geo]

should work glassed in I was talking about on the transom it should go under the boat on the back of the pad to read when your on plane

[Steve]

I use the dual frequency transducer. Fish Lake Michigan in the summer and use the 50 kHz setting to track the cannon balls. I use the 200 kHz in water as shallow as 1.5 feet in the winter running rivers for steelhead. Never had a black screen with the latest software and I have alot of hours on the boat.

I bought the X-15 last spring and had the older software in it. This was a problem in any water less than 4' or so. Since upgrading to version 2.1 I have had no problems with it. I like mine, but it is just my opinion.

[JBL]

Goose- I got my x15 early last year, one problem with the first version of the software was blowing out the 200mhz side of the xducer, so I was forced to fish with only the 50mhz a few times until Lowrance could send a replacement. It never blanked out on me or anything like that, but the view using the 50 is not nearly as clear and defined as 200mhz. If you fish mostly shallow water, my advise is pass on the dual xducer and go with the 21 degree 200mhz xducer. Almost all of my water time is on Erie, so I guess that would be rock and muck.

>So JBL you have used the 50kHz setting in less that 20 feet
>of water? The screen did not blank out? What type of lakes
>do you fish Rock, muck, sand or weeds?
>
>Thanks
>
>Goose

[Kaz]

Goose: I second all of the good statments above. Mine works perfectly in both modes. I fish LOTW, Superior and Lake Mich too. I can't say enough good about the unit..Good Fishing.....Kaz

[Goose]

The reason for the 50kHz/200kHz transducer is that I have a x-65 and a great fishing buddy who I would also like to see the bottom of the lake. I figure that this would solve the problem of two tranducers/ units mucking up each other. I realize that the 200kHz 21 degree cone would be better but I am really trying to have both depth finders work at the same time.


Goose

[KP]

That's what I do Goose. As I said above, I have a dual frequency sonar but I also have a 200KHz on the front of the boat. I really don't get interference when they're both on 200, I don't know why, but I keep the Dual on 50KHz anyway.

[Jim Ordway]

My dealer and a lowrance rep told me that the 200/50 puck was too wide to be glassed in effectively and recommended against it. I would check further on this.
Good luck,