GENETRON this past weekend, wow!

[FJH1]

I installed a new Genetron (GT9) finder several weeks ago and have been learning to use it for the last several times on the water. Yesterday my tournament partner and I gave it a pretty good workout and all we can say is WOW! We ran it simultaneously, side-by-side, with a BottomLine Tournament Master NCC 5300 and BottomLine Tournament Master HR. The Genetron transducers are right next to the NCC 5300 transducers, and the Tournament Master HR transducer is on the trolling motor. Whatever the Genetron picks up, the NCC 5300 should pick up as well... We were fishing major cold front conditions. I can't believe how much the BottomLine finders were missing. The Genetron would mark fish, the BottomLine would show NOTHING, nothing at all, just bottom. At first were were very, very skeptical, but after fishing the spots and catching the fish we were Genetron believers. We'd run the lake, mark the hooks, double back, fish the spot and, more often than not, catch fish, 9 times out of 10 the BottomLine units would show virtually nothing that would indicate the presence of fish. My partner said he felt like he'd been fishing blind for years and I totally agree. I've used BottomLine for years (about 7 years) and I'm very familiar with the units and the settings (I read instructions :-)), but I'm honestly blown away by what the units were missing. Just wanted to give my on the water Genetron opinions.

Best Regards,

FJH

[SoDakBoy]

I owned an old CRT Genetron unit years ago. It was monchrome, yellow on black. Best graph I've ever used, bar none. Ever since it finally died I've been using LCGs and have never found one that I liked nearly as well as that old CRT.

Glad to hear you like your new Genetron. I'm going to have to look at what they offer and consider going back to them. Frankly, I wish they still made that monochrome CRT unit because I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

[FJH1]

My GT9 is green on black, very visible in the sun.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Moose]

Are these units water proof? Where would I find one to look at here in Oshkosh,WI

[stevefellegy]

Hey Moose,

I'll be in Oshkosh for the RCL event in late May and will be glad to show you the Genetron and how it works. Look me up during that week.

[stevefellegy]

Hey Jamie,

Glad to hear you like your Genetron. Like your partner said, "fishing blind" isn't as fun. lol Cold front fish that seem to disappear make the Genetron excell. Any questions....let me know.
Lookin' forward to meeting you during your stay at Mille Lacs for the MWC event.
Good luck!

[I know better]

ANY unit you run next to your bottom line will show at least twice as much! "Bottom of the line" had a hard time picking up a 2 by 4 in a pool test. Thats on a concrete bottom in clear water 12' deep.Buy a x-15 or a top of the line Pinpoint.

[nogenhere]

it is good to hear that you have had good success with the genetron. it seems to be an overrated piece of electronics to me. i have used the genetron unit on green bay and lake michigan and i was thoroughly dissatisfied. i would never purchase one. many of the genetron units are unable to maintain bottom contact at high speed. everyone i have ever talked with about the unit has had problems with the ability to maintain bottom contact while traveling. i would say, buy an X-15 and you will sell the genetron.

[Moose]

Hey Steve,
Thanks for the offer,that will great.I live right down the street from the Pioneer Inn,so it will be easy to get together.
Just wondering if the Genetron is the same as the SI-TEX?
Are these units water proof?
Thanks Bob

[Chairman]

I have both units as well as Pinpoint 7520's all do a good job, and the genetron will excell in the weeds. As for loosing the bottom, I find most of those problems are improper installation of the transducer.
Chairman
NPAA #6

[Mikey]

My Bottomline maintains the bottom just fine and I have never had any trouble marking fish tight on the bottom. And, no the Genetron is not waterproof, it needs to be kept clear of water as it is a CRT (Computer Monitor) that needs ventilation.

[Really]

How do you adjust the Genetron to work in the weeds?

[KP]

If you have a problem picking up the bottom at high speed with most sonars, it's usually due to improper mounting, not the sonar. And I really don't believe the Genetron is NOT water proof or at least very water resistant. Too many frequent fisher...people...out there using them to think they wouldn't get wet from time to time.

I also briefly owned a Bottomline which I was very dissatisfied with. It was definitely the purdiest lookin and most expensive sonar ever to grace my boat but it was terrible at displaying fish. Hardly competition vs. a Genetron. Now an X-15 could be a viable competitor.

I'm not a Genetron owner and personally don't think they're worth the cost, but I do believe they are a top of the line sonar.

[stevefellegy]

Although history will show that any "water proof" machine will fail in that regard once in a great moon, in fact, the GT 9 Genetron rides in the open, uncovered, through rain squalls and deluges of wave spray on many open walleye boats every day, without problems.
My early history, (early nineties), showed that the housing needed more water proofing. Understand, until then, these units were primarily used on charter boats with complete cabins over and around the Genetron. No one really had tested the unit in the open. As usual, Dick fixed the situation and the unit has consistently performed well out in the elements ever since. The early LCR manufacturers also had early problems. As usual, some still do.

[FJH1]

Thanks Steve, lookin' forward to seeing you as well. We're headed up on the 11th, hopefully enough time to get a little bit of a handle on the lake - lol.

Best Regards,

FJH

[stevefellegy]

Pretty easy to get a handle on things at Mille Lacs on opening weekend. Just pay close attention to where the boats are....that'll tell you where the fish are. Don't get confused..lol...in fact, there truly are fish EVERYWHERE. The "right ones"? I know nnnnaaaaahhTHING!
Have a safe trip!

[mbrandt]

I agree. My Bottom Line marks stuff on the bottom just fine. I run a BL on the console and an X85 up front. I don't see much difference between the two. Can't comment on the Gentron or the x15.

Mark

[Thom]

You know, I visit several different fishing message boards every day, and on any one of them this stuff posted by Genetron would have been booed off of the board immediately as nothing but pure SPAM. In fact on one of the boards I visit regularly Genetron was tossed off and and barred from posting entirely. I am very much suprised that you all put up with this self serving bunch of postings, which amount to nothing more than thinly disguised advertising. I really don't know how you all put up with it or why so very many of you respond like it was a legitimate posting.

Thom

[getalife]

come on, someone is giving an opinion, you probably work for lowrance or something, get a new hobby moron. go fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marble Eyes]

Thom,

I have asked many questions over the months regarding the genetron sonar unit. Some folks responded. Some posted some nasty comments.

I spent two days at Monroe, MI with Steve Fellegy watching the unit, in action, at my request. Steve was kind enough to let me go along on his pre Tourney scouting. Tonight I will mount my new Genetron on my boat.

Next week I too will post my findings on the unit, according to MY use. One other thing. I do not work for or did I get a break on the price of the Genetron. And I had never met Steve before meeting him in Monroe. Don't blast someone for posting a good review of a product, After all isn't that what we want?

The fella that posting this thread did NOT post it as a "guest" user. He is registered for you to see who it is if you are so inclined.

Ease up a bit.

[Peanut]

I hate to get involved in these kinds of arguments, but this time I must.

You know sir, I have no idea what you problem is with Genetron, but your post makes you sound like someone with a major chip on your shoulder. You'd be better served posting what it is that is bugging you, rather than some sort of unspecified Genetron hatred, which does little for your credibility.

Now, before you try to dismiss my post as more "thinly-disguised advertising", let me try and explain the reasons for my getting involved:

1. No one from Genetron started or contributed to this thread. Therefore, your complaints about Genetron posts (the legitimacy of which I leave for another day)is irrelevant here.

2. Two contributors to this thread, Steve Fellegy and FJH1, are gentlemen who consistently conduct themselves with the utmost integrity on this board. Don't take my word for it, do an archives search of some of their postings in March of this year, and see what kind of assistance and information they provide, then tell me if your implicit criticism of them is justified. If you're too lazy to do so, well, what can I say...

3. I have never owned, and I'm not sure I have even seen, a Genetron unit. I have no vested interest in the product or its promotion. I have no opinion on the things, good or bad, and take no issue with those who provide intelligent opinions, good or bad. But, I do take issue with those who feel the need to take uneducated potshots at those who do not deserve them.

4. Regardless of anyone's views on the product, Dick Knutson's posts here are, in the main, informative, and many were quite entertaining stories. To my knowledge, he only responds to questions, and does not make unsolicited posts that can be construed as ads, nor does he badmouth competitor products. Again, I welcome you to verify my position via an archive search.

Now, should you disagree and choose to respond in a civil fashion, we can discuss this. If, however, you choose to contribute more baseless accusations, then, well, you've just proven my point, and no further response will be necessary.

Sorry for the length of this, everyone, but I don't like seeing decent folks get ripped with no one standing up for them.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[Dave in Mpls]

Gee, Thom

A little bored today? I put up with it because I personally know Jamie (FJH1), I know he installed the unit on his boat approximately three weeks ago, and I respect Steve Fellegy's opinion. I guess I'll make up my own mind regarding the unit when I hook up with Jamie at Mille Lacs in May. Doesn't mean I'm gonna run right out and buy one.

Regards

[Thom]

Moron is it? Interesting choice of works.

Thom

[Eyez]

Well said Marble Eyes, Peanut and Dave.

I too had my first experience with a Genetron this last weekend, and all I can say, is that I know for a fact that it marked fish that the LMS 350 that was previously on the boat would have missed. It did mark fish that the x 75 that is on the bow missed. I think the Genetron is leaps and bounds ahead of other depth finding devices in it's ability to mark fish.


Thom, if you have a problem with Dick Knutson or anyone at Genetron, call them and hash it out in person. This childish cheapshot that you took at Jamie, Steve, and Genetron is totally uncalled for.


Eyez

[BlackSilver]

Thom,

"We pass the word around; we ponder how the case is
put by different people, we read the poetry; we
meditate over the literature; we play the music; we
change our minds; we reach an understanding. Society
evolves this way, not by shouting each other down,
but by the capacity of unique, individual human beings
to comprehend each other."
--Lewis Thomas, The Medusa and the Snail (1979)



SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[Anti-Thom]

You must have this message saved so you can cut and paste it. You are good at retrieving it as needed.

Based on your past suggestions, I have reviewed your unit of choice (furuno) and "Thom" postings on the boards you have listed. My "OPINION" of my findings suggest that your unit of choice will not work unless it is out of the sunlight completely. It is also better with in-hull transducers. Your unit is for offshore fishing in offshore boats. This disqualifies the majority of walleye fisherman although I would imagine that charter boat captains might want to check out these units. We are concerned about freshwater experiences not salt water.

It might be true that the majority of boats in a coastal harbor contain furuno units, but that does not mean us inland people should buy a product that is not marketed at us.

[stevefellegy]

Dearest Thom,

You might recall, about a six weeks ago, I invited you to spend a day on the water with me, while at either an RCL event or a convenient location for the two of us to meet. The invitation still stands. My history has never been known to pass up a challenge. You seem to be everything my history thirsts for.
I came onto this WC board with good intentions. After viewing a few days of postings, I was convinced I had an obligation, as a veteran part of the the pro walleye fishing world, to offer my advice and potential help, to the walleye world that is the nucleus of the industry I live for. In the past six plus months, I've made it a point, on a daily basis if possible, to convey my experiences in a way that are easily understood and are easily able to put to a postive use within everyones walleye fishing ventures. In the process of doing so, I have mentioned, consistently, products that I have used or am using. Throughout my postings,answers to questions, and questions I have asked, I have never bad mouthed anyone or any product, with the exception one time, with a guy named Vern. I immediately apologized for the comments I made toward him and have felt bad about that since. My intentions and actions in the future, on this WC board or any other, will continue down the same path.
Now Thom, I suggest, you continue to use whatever graph you think is best. I suggest you offer factual info about that graph or any other unit you have experience with, that fits into any existing post subject matter. It is as simple as that. No one has, nor should they, challenge your experiences, beyond simply relaying theirs back in regard to the subject at hand. Any ill will you have endured here has been brought on solely by you and your words.
So....again, contact me if you want to share on the water experiences involving the productivity of various graphs. My phone number is listed in the NPAA directory as well as my e-mail within my WC registry.
Good luck fishing! I hope to hear from you.

[FJH1]

Thom,

This is not a Genetron advertisement or anything of the sort. I bought the unit from Genetron based upon comments from people on this board. Some of the comments were positive, some were negative. I weighed them in my mind. Most, if not all, of the negative comments that were made about Genetron were from "guest users". I take "guest user" comments with a grain of salt. I take "registered user" comments very seriously. I called Dick at Genetron and we spoke at length. I've had e-mail conversations with Steve Fellegy as well. I decided to purchase the unit. So far I'm glad I did. One of the things that I like about this board is that when someone purchases a product they will give their comments, be them positive or negative. All I did was give my feedback about my first impressions with the unit. The unit is quite expensive, so maybe my comments will help another prospective buyer have some insight. I think most people around here trust my opinion, I've been here for a number of years and I try to conduct myself in a civilized and upstanding manner. Don't take a "guest user" shot at me.

Best Regards,

FJH

p.s. those of you who put in a kind word for me - thanks ;-)

[rock2me]

Thanks, guys (you know who you are) you are class acts! Guest users that bash aren't worth the space they take up.


Good Luck

[FJH1]

Marble Eyes,

If you have any questions about mounting the unit or anything, drop me an e-mail with your phone number and I'll give you a call. Everything went smoothly with my set-up. I used the R-A-M horizontal mount for the unit on my dash. I did make some modifications to the washer system on the R-A-M for better grip etc.

Best Regards,

FJH