Speed and temperature at the ball

[DJV]

Looking for comparisons or comments on the Fish Hawk vs. the Moors speed and temperature at the ball. The Moors is about $200.00 less than the Fish Hawk.

[SeaCat]

Four differences I see in looking at the two units:

1) Moors' requires its special cable and it is significantly thicker than a standard downrigger cable. This can result in more blow-back of the ball and your readings actually being higher in the water collumn than other riggers in the spread. Advantage IMO: FishHawk

2) The FishHawk's transmitter frequency is the same as some depth sounders and in use at deeper depths (60' or more) can cause the temp/speed to not be read. Sorry I don't know the exact frequency it uses. The FishHawk also needs space on the boat to mount the transducer that receives the signal from the probe. Advantage IMO: Moors

3) Moors unit only provides speed & temp at the ball; FishHawk 840 gives speed at both ball and surface. Advantage IMO: FishHawk although it is basically because more features has to be better ;-)

4) FishHawk is all digital readout; Moors is a speedometer style needle for speed and digital temp. Advantage IMO: Moors, since I like to see the relative speed of the needle moving instead of a digital number that will tend to jump around and is consequently harder to average.

Only bad thing I have heard from people that I have talked to here on Lk Michigan on the FishHawk is the depth sounder frequency conflict. Main Moors complaint is the blowback and a lot of people don't like it -- too much work to adjust for the "incorrect reading". Couple of the Moors forsale at the GLANGLER trading post for this reason. Guess I would go with the FishHawk.

Ryan
Ryan

[DJV]

Ryan, great response, thanks.

[Sparky]

Most of my friends have the Fishhawk. I purchased the Moors because I couldn't see putting another transducer on the back of my boat and I already have surface temp and speed from two other units. My Genetron and Loran give me surface temp/speed capability. I've watched the cables on all four of my riggers and haven't noticed a big difference in the blowback. There is some but, not enough to offset the other concerns mentioned. As with most other purchases on a boat the decision will rest on what you already have available and how you fish. Both units will do the job.

Sparky