Polar Vision Handheld Sonar

[Muskeez]

Anyone care to share their experiences with these devices? I bought one and it appears to be a piece of junk. It has new batteries, I put water on smooth ice, set the transducer end in the water and turn it on. I only get an accurate reading about 1 of 5 times. Otherwise I get readings of 3.5 ft. or 4.2 or something like that when I am actually in 15-25 ft. I have tried it on several lakes and I know that it is not reading the tops of the weeds. Did I just get a lemon or do they not work as well as advertised.
Thanks!
-Clay

[SCOE]

I have been using one for two or three years, and I am very happy with it. I mostly use it to get a depth reading through the ice. Seems to be reading very accurately. Hope this helps.
SCOE

[Muskeez]

SCOE, do you use it the same way as I explained? Am I doing something wrong?
-Clay

[David/MN]

Muskeez,

I also have a PolarVision handheld. I use mine in the exact same fashion as you, a little water on a fairly clear piece of ice and it works great. I am going to guess that either the ice you are shooting through is really cloudy, or your transducer is bad. Because you have tried it on multipule lakes without success points to a bad xducer.

The unit is made by Marcum Technologies for Strikemaster. I understand that Marcum stand behind these units very well, and will most likeky replace it for you free of charge if it hasn't been abused, even of it is out of warranty.

These are great units that are used in the field by at least a few of the ICE Team pro's. It sure is easier than getting my flasher out when I am trying to move quick.

dw

[foghorn]

i posted a message last night on them and am bragging that marcum replaced mine after three years...excellent company. i find that if the ice is cloudy as the other guy states that it doesn't read accurately. punch a hole and read it if it won't transmit through the ice. i have found it to be an excellent tool and useful for marking fish also. i have a # for marcum 1-763-295-2085. strikemaster is 1-763-263-8999 if it one year old or less. i find that with more than 10 inches of ice it has trouble reading, so i just punch the hole and get an accurate. the other guy is right, they stand behind their product and if you have a faulty transducer i am sure that they will go good for it.

hope this helps.

[Muskeez]

Thanks for the responses and phone numbers guys!! Mine must have a bad transducer. I bought it late in the ice season last year, and it never has worked like some of your replies say they do. The whole point of buying one was so I didn't have to punch 20 holes to find the spot on the spot. If you've gotta drill you might as get out the flasher to check the depth. Just last week I used it on West Okoboji (ultra clear water and ice) and the ice was only 8-10". I'll try calling and hopefully get a replacement.
THANKS AGAIN!
-Clay

[Northern Manitoban]

I've had one for 4 years now and just love it.As for having problems reading through 10 inches of ice? mine has never had a problem at all.Right now we have over 20 inches and have used mine up to 36 inches without problems.Remember it has to be fairly clear ice and not cloudy spots or spots on the ice where someone else has fished before and has walked over the areas your trying to read through.Great investment.FISH ON.