Universal Sonar Transducer

[rmitchel]

I am interested in this question from "Fisherman" in a previous thread:

"Also called called Minnkota and talked to a nice lady-she tells me the uni sonar is a 14 degree transducer-and that there is no sensitivity loss. I think someone posted that there would be a 10-15 percent sensitivity loss with this universal transducer. Anybody know for sure? I guess a 14 degree transducer would be okay. ANY thoughts on that?"

[rmitchel]

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[Bryan]

Rick:
I recently purchased a new Genesis 74-AP with this feature and asked the same question of a friend who is sponsored by Minnkota. He informed me that he had forwarded this to the Minnkota rep and would let me know what he said. I'll post when I hear back from him.

[fisherman]

I was curious as to what degree the transducer was-so I called and that is what she told me; 14 degrees--I asked her how much sensitivity was lost with one transducer used by several different company's units and she told me non. I was sure I had read on one of the posts recently that there would be sensitivity loss. Was just passing on what she told me.

[rmitchel]

Is 14 degree transducer standard for a trolling motor? I am pretty sure that I currently have a 20 degree on the transom.

Thanks.

[Bryan]

MathMan:
Let's see if you are really the MathMan(LOL!!!). Question for you? There is 30 ft of water below the transducer (Triangle side "A"). Your transducer is seeing 7 degrees (1/2 of 14 deg.) to one side of the boat(Hypoteneus, side "C"). From this info can you tell me how far you are seeing to the side(Triangle side "B"). Knowing this should give you an idea if 14 degrees is suitable for your application. Please reply with the answer because I sure as heck don't know how to figure it out. I'm barely smart enough to think of the question, never mind cypher the answer.

[rmitchel]

Bryon -- Using a bit of trigonometry.

For a 14 degree transducer, the side you are referring to is equal to 30xtan(7), which is approximately 3.7 feet.

For a 20 degree transducer, the side is 30xtan(20), which is approximately 11 feet.

Note: Be sure to have your calculator in degree mode (not radian mode).

What do you think?

[Bryan]

You really are the MathMan!!!!! But now I am confused because I don't know if 14 deg. is the total angle of the beam leaving the transducer or 1/2 the angle ie. (14deg. either side of the center line). If the total angle is 28 deg. this would give you +/- 15 feet of viewing which is about 3-4 feet either side of your boat. This to me would seem to be reasonable. However, if it is the other way you are only seeing +/- 7.4 feet and that is a little narrow for my liking as 30 feet is probably the deepest I fish, so it would only get worse from there. Bye the way, thanks for the trig lesson. It's been a long time since college.

[rmitchel]

I sure that someone here on WC can tell us what the degree measurement means for a transducer. There is likely even a web site with this information.

Is 14 standard for a trolling motor application? Apparently this is what is in the Minkotta Universal Sonar line.

But my transom transducer is 20 degrees.

I am trying to decide if the universal sonar is worth the money, for the product that you get.

Thanks.

[Dave in Mpls]

The transducer angle is the total angle. Therefore, using the 30' example:

14 degree transducer: 30 x tan(7) = 3.7' to the side
20 degree transducer: 30 x tan(10) = 5.3' to the side

I would opt for a 20 degree on the bow, given my drothers. Never heard of a 14 degree - not saying they aren't used, just that I've never heard of them for typical applications.

http://www.lowrance.com/Tutorials/Sonar/sonar_tutorial_06.asp

Regards

[Steve S]

Went through the same scenario this today, trying to evaluate the universal sonar. Called Minn Kota, Garmin, Lowrance and Cabela,s.The cone angle is 14 degrees and your trig is correct. Garmin said the unit would work with there 240, shouldn't be a problem. Lowrance had no info on the uni-transducer but stated that they would not warranty any of there units that were used with any transducer other than what they packaged with it. Called Cabela's and they said that basically any of the sonar manufactures didn't have to honar warranty when there own transducers weren't used. At this point I'm thinking that it isn't worth the possible performance or warranty problems. Does anyone have any experience with one of these universal yet? Looking for more input to make purchaseing decision. Thanks

Steve S

[rmitchel]

I was out at the Garmin site when you posted this note.

I am trying to figure out the typical degree for a transducer.

Does anyone know what is packaged with the Garmin products -- 240. The back of the BP Marine catalog shows a regular 240 and a 240 with a trolling motor transducer. How are these different?

Back to the Garmin site, but perhaps someone will be able to post the answer before I find it.

[rmitchel]

Ok -- I see that Garmin has a 20 degree for the transom and 14 degree for the trolling motor.

Anyone know why?


http://shop.garmin.com/accessories_for_product.jsp?sku=010-00169-00

[EsoxProSport]

Mathman, I would think in my case I use the console fishfinder for "searching out" an area. This is where the Larger 20 Degree transducer would come in handy.. Up Front I like to know what is directly below the trolling motor Such as Vertical Jigging Walleye. 14 Degrees seems enough to me.... In another post I commented about the universal sonar cable. An AN Autopilot it can be neatly wired with the main "coiled" cord from the head of the motor to the unit... On a Maxxum the cord exits from the footpedal.. It will have to be routed back to the bow plate whete the fishfinder is located. Kind of sloppy.

[REW]

If you are buying a new trolling motor, the option of having a transducer installed - should be an obvious purchase.

The advantages of having a built in transducer are so great, as to put up with any very slight loss in sensitivity.

As far as the words from Cabella's and Lowrance about not honering their warrenty, if you use a transducer that is not shipped with the unit.

What difference is there really between their unit, and the unit in the trolling motor. All that a transducer is is a - coil of wire. There may be a few more or a few less turns, but nothing more than a coil of wire causing an electromagnet effect.

If a transducer will work with one unit, it is quite likely that it will work with a different unit.

The ability to have the transducer built in - with no external clamps or cables is wonderful. Mount the trolling motor, mount the depth finder and plug in the cables. Done deal.

A 14 degree cone is perfect for detecting what is under your trolling motor - which is the exact reason that you want a transducer on the trolling motor in the first place.

Go for it.

Take care

REW

[Ristorapper]

Pinpoint motors come standard with a 20 degree cone angle on their bow mounts. If you have a 3700 series trolling motor as I do the two transducers viewing down at a 45 degree angle give you an additional 20 degree cone angle to each side of the downward looking one. SOO in shallow water if you view all three transducers which is possible with this piece of equipment, your cone angle becomes 60 degrees.

What is nice about Pinpoint is that you can see on your pinpoint sonar what area(diameter) your cone angle is covering should you select it to show up by using your menu. Neat feature, so you don't have to do the math!!

BW(ND)