Buffalo Mike
01-15-2001, 10:04 PM
Thinking about buying a Video-CRT graph. Have a X-70 and a 350A on boat now. Video-CRT would replace X70. Want higher quality soner. Any good ones under $1000. Any to stay away from. I troll Lake Ontario and Erie.
SeaCat
01-16-2001, 06:54 PM
LAST EDITED ON Jan-16-01 AT 09:15PM (CST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jan-16-01 AT 08:56*PM (CST)
I use a MarineTek SeaMax color video sounder -- http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/marinetek/seamax.htm
Real good unit with a great list of features. I paid about $650 a couple years ago through BoatUS. Unfortunately, I don't know of anyone selling them as BoatUS no longer does.
SiTex (CV106 with dual beam 120Khz) and Furuno (FCV667) entry level video systems are also very good -- had both on previous boats. Would rate as SeaMax, then SiTex, and then Furuno for the Great Lakes. The SiTex at 120 Khz is real nice too because it runs well with other sounders -- 50, 192, or 200 Khz.
In my opinion the low end video sounders by the major companies are better than the best LCD units. Note: new color LCD's may change that real soon :-)! Mainly due to screen resolution (a lot more pixels), and power (they are generally made for salt water or Great Lakes use). Almost all have dual frequency capability too which most of the LCDs don't.
Video sounders are not for everyone though. Biggest downside is that it really need to be mounted under a hardtop or binimi, and out of the weather. The video screen will be unviewable in sunlight and although most come with a sunshield, it really limits viewing of the screen. They are also not weatherproof like most LCDs.
Have yet to see the latest ones in action, but the color LCD units with 5-6" screens are supposed to be the best of both worlds -- color for target separation, and LCD for viewing and weatherproof. The SiTex ProFish II and III did not impress me. Furuno's (FCV600L) looks nice but about $1100 with transducer. The new Lowrance X15 looks promising and I think is just over $1000 w/ GPS (???).
One more note -- the video graphs are not really good in less than 20-25' of water. Even turning the gain way down, there is just too much power being transmitted. 70%+ of my fishing on Lk Michigan is in 70' or more and most of the fish are 50'+ down or in the top 15', so it has not been a problem. Western Lk Erie? I have used it there and it's okay but my Impulse 4000 does a better job in that circumstance. 30' of water off Huron, no problem.
Ryan