Conference wahoo::fishing

    I bought Eagles 3-D LCD last year for around 300.00 from Bass Pro.
    Used it all last season and overall was quite pleased with it. It
    has the scanning ability to cover 3 times LCD's in the same price
    range and will show you if the fish are on the right or left side
    of the boat. The one feature I do miss that the Humming Bird LCD
    have is the RED coloring for fish, although Eagle's answer this
    year is actual fish symbols.... This year's models also have better
    pixel quality. There are some other LCD notes in this note file.
    Good luck...
    
    
                                 Blue Chaser

    THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK. I JUST RECEIVED IN YESTERDAYS MAIL A
    "SKIPPERS"CATALOG AND WAS QUITE PLEASED TO FIND 2 AMBER CRTS (MARINTEC
    AND INTERPHASE) FOR $300.00. I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD THAT THE CRT'S
    ARE SUPERIOR TO LCD'S IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. BUT IN THE PAST THEY
    HAVE BEEN EXPENSIVE. THE ONE DRAW BACK TO THESE INEXPENSIVE UNITS
    IS NO FISH OR DEEP ALARMS.
    
                   DECISIONS   DECISIONS
    
    HAS ANYONE HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THESE AMBER CRT'S?????  IF SO
    HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO THE LCD'S IN THE SAME PRICE RANGE???
    
    
    

	My personal preference is for LCD display. They are getting better
in the resolution department all the time and they are rugged. No doubt a
CRT's display is clearer than LCD's and they can display more info through 
the use of color but they have a couple of weaknesses when it comes to use on
boats of the size mentioned. CRT's consume a lot of space and power; both 
of these items are at a premium in a 20' fishing boat. CRT's are also more 
vulnerable to the jarring that will inevitably happen as you hurriedly
speed out to your favorite spot in 3 - 4 foot seas.
	If I had a bigger boat I might feel differently but in my 22 footer 
I have a hard time cramming all my electronics into the space available. I'd
recommend a high quality LCD over a low quality CRT.

Just my opinion,
Paul

re: .2
          > I JUST RECEIVED IN YESTERDAYS MAIL A "SKIPPERS" CATALOG....
    
    Is this a catalog of Marine Electronics? Can you give us the name
    or phone # for a catalog request. 
    
    I'm shopping for a VHF hand held.
   
    Thanks
    /MArk    
    
    

    Here's a couple places for you mark.
    
    	Fisherman's Paradise, Inc.
    	3800 N.W. 27th Avenue
    	Miami, Florida, 33142
    
    	Outer Banks
    	Highway 70 East
    	P.O. Drawer 500
    	Beaufort, N.C., 28516
    
    I've got the Skippers cataloge at home also. If someone doesn't
    beat me to it and I remember I'll put the address in here monday.
    
    John

    sorry forgot the numbers.
    
    Fisherman's  1-800-432-5404
    
    Outer Banks  1-800-682-2225

    	My experiences with Outer Banks have caused me to stop dealing
    with them. They have terrific prices but everything I ever ordered
    was out of stock. These items included electronics as well as fishing
    gear. My first order was for a Ratheon LORAN. I ended up cancelling
    after wasting a lot of time. My second (and last) order was for
    several different sizes of leader material and some other minor
    stuff. Each item was out of stock. Several months passed and it
    took three separate deliveries before my order was incorrectly filled;
    I never got the black leader I was going to experiment with. Now
    when their catalogue arrives I throw it away.
    Paul

    	The bagel may be able to help jog my memory. There was a boating
    supply place based in Perth Amboy, N.J. that had decent prices and seemed
    fairly well stocked.
    
    	RAYJ

    WEnt to de Boat show yestiddy an dey wuz sellin a ting chew put
    on chore transducer(?). It had wun ob dem cables on it an chew cud
    change de angel from de top. Den chew cud scan frontwards an backwards
    an downwards by movin a handle op in de boat.
    
    It wuz attached on a strollin motor in a tank. Inside de tank wuz a
    12 lb 13 oz and a 9 lb 8 1/2 oz bass ketched frum Lake Fork las week.
    Dey said dey wuz gonna put dem bak after de show.
    
    Coonass

    re: .8
    
    RayJ...I think you are trying to remember E & B MARINE. They have
    the store in Perth Amboy, and other locations. They have recently
    bought-out James Bliss Marine, and (I think) Goldberg's.
    
    Bagel

    I NEED TO GET SKIPPERS FOR YOU
    IN THE MEAN TIME HERE IS E&B'S  (800)533-5007
    

     I have been very happy with my marintek... very good quality picture.
    They also do have a fish alarm and depth alarm ... really it more
    of a depth alarm.  Just set the desired depth you want and anything
    that comes into view in that depth will trigger an alarm. As far
    as the size of the boat goes... I have a 19' ski boat that i am
    converting into a fish and ski boat (much of the disliking of my
    better half) and actually it worked out better because you have
    more options of where to mount the unit.  They also come standard
    with water temp display... this is more helpful for us bass fishermen.
    hope this helps... if any more questions just ask
    
    
    Chris

    
    
    
      I have a Hummin Bird LCD8000,and I have been very happy with.I
    bought it from KMART last year when it was on sale for $249.00 
    This thing has all kind of features like depth reading,depth   
    alarm,fish alarm,16 split screen memory,zoom(from boat to 3/4 way
    down and bottom zoom from bottom to 3/4 up) and many more.
    It works great up to about 30mph then I lose the bottom but
    I think that it is caused by the place that I installed the transducer.
    The only real problem that I have, is when I am fishing in bright
    sunlight, things seem to disappear(sp).I have a 16.5' boat and the
    place that I mounted it is on a wooden base that I have attached
    velcro to the bottom (it sticks very well on fuzzy marine carpets
    and it can be moved around in the boat). So I would recommend this
    model esspecially if you can find it at that price.
    
    
           Frenchy

Forgive me for asking, but I could not find it myself.  I saw on one
of these notes, someone computed and gave a chart showing the beam diameter
of a 16 degree sensor at various depths.  Could someone point me to that
note?  One thing I found intersting with my ID-1 through the ice.  Was in
10 ft. of water with the sensor down in the hole.  There were Pike hitting
our baits and swimming around.  In 10 ft. of water they showed up like
monsters on the screen but were 15 to 20 inches on top of the ice.  A 3 in
minnow showed up as 4 red dots on the screen at 5 feet deep.

     Hi - I just bought an Eagle FISH I.D. ($ 129.00) and wondering now
     whether I should spring for the extra cash and get perhaps the
     Eagle 7200, or is the FISH ID good enough? This is subjective,
     I know - but I thought I'd seek out some opinions.

     The Fish ID is your basic unit with 4 or 5 Zoom ranges, shows fish
     in 3 sizes, bottom alarm, fish alarm, bottom lock, and range to
     180 feet (depth only to 400 feet). It doesn't have previous screen
     recall, as far as I can tell, and doesn't have bottom density
     discrimination. The pixel resolution is something like 30 by 72.

     The 7200 has a vertical pixel resolution of 192, and seems to show
     much finer detail as well discrimination of bottom density (Grayline),
     500 as opposed 275 watts, 9 Zoom ranges, greater depth range (which
     I don't need).

     Has anyone had experience with either of these 2 models? The 7200 is
     out of stock in 2 places I've tried, and costs somewhere between $235
     and $280.

     Also - does Eagle make a swivel mount, or would I have to improvise
     to make one?
    
     Any comments on these or others are welcome!

     Thanks!

     Bill

    I was sold on high resolution after fishing for striped bass on
    Lake Texoma.  There, they use video units and graphs -- the fish
    are within 2"-3" of bottom, and it takes that kind of resolution
    to find them.  I was watching over our guides shoulder, and on a
    (large) video unit you could easily spot the fish.  Thus, I decided
    to go with the 7200. Overkill for New England?  Probably, but hey,
    too much is just right isn't it???
    
    Regards,
    Russ

      Good luck trying to find any 7200's around. I have been to every
    tackle shop in the Burlington area and they are all out of them. I
    called 3 mail-order catalogs (Cabela's, Bass Pro, and E&B Marine)
    and they are all out of stock also. Bass Pro was expecting their
    next shipment from Eagle in late June (too late for the LCI derby)
    and E&B said they were supposed to get some in, but they are late
    coming from the manufacturer. Just doesn't seem to be any around!!
    If you find some for around the $240-$260 range, let me know please.
    I will make a special trip down to get it!!!!
    
      The problems with what is available now (Fish ID and Fish ID Plus)
    is the resolution. They are good for seeing the bottom structure, but
    forget about accurately spotting fish.
    
    
    -Ron-
    

    
    
    Hi All,
    
    If you're looking for a Z7200 try Northern Bass Supply in (or near)
    Kingston N.H.  I bought mine there last week for 279.00.  The guys
    up there are really good to talk to about anything to do with
    fishing, I spent over an hour talking and B.S.ing.  They will ship
    the unit to you in a couple of days if you buy it with a credit
    card.  
    
    I looked all over too (including N.B.S.-- they just received shipment)
    and could find one elsewhere.
    
    Gus
    
    
    

    Well, I'll probably take the FISH ID back and go for a Z7200,
    although I'll have to seek elsewhere for the Z7200 as the
    store I bought it from doesn't have the 7200.
    
    It doesn't look like the 7200 has previous screen review.
    Is this a real negative, or does it really matter much?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Bill

    Just wondering what you might think of the Interphase 20/20 or
    Sportsmans tube models that I've seen advertised at NBS. The price
    is 328 and 286 on these, and they seem to have a lot of feaures
    as well as the wide screen.
    
    For the same price range as the Z7200, would this be a good deal,
    or would it be impractical, as I just have an 18' bowrider with
    no real enclosed area.
    
    What do you think?
    
    Bill
    

    Video units are great on resolution, but get washed out in sunlight.
    Take your TV out to the boat and see how it looks...
    
    Seriously, for video you will need a sunscreen of some kind.  LCD
    units work pretty well in bright conditions.  For heads down bottom
    watching, a video is great.  For bass'n, LCD seems a little easier
    to use.
    
    (If you show up an Manchaug Saturday, you'll be able to see a wide
    range of gear ... maybe even some things for fishing!)
    
    Regards,
    Russ

    Wen I wuz op in Washington I got a copy of Pacific Yating an dere
    wuz a advertizement about a wrist LCD, wireless!! It gibes de water
    temp, depth  an bottom contour!!
    
    Its Model RX101, wireless remote display, made by HONDEX(HONDA
    Electronics). De company is: Maritime Services, 3440 Bridgeway St.
    Vancouver, BC, Canada (604)294-4444
    
    An its advertized for fishin!!
    
    Coonass

    RE: .22 -

    I probably should have mentioned that I do mostly salt water.
    I'll be looking at structure, as well as fish - I've mostly
    gone after blues but want to start trying after whatever else
    I can find, like Tautog, for instance, where I'd need to find
    a rocky bottom, and hopefully some Tautog hanging around!

    I don't go offshore, as I only have an 18' bowrider (the furthest
    I ever go out is 2 or 3 miles, although I might venture out to Block
    Island sometime).

    When I get that bigger boat (whenever that is) I'll probably
    head out a little further!

    I may check out a video unit, before I leap again. It would be
    nice to have portable capability, as I do rent a boat on Quabbin
    once in while. I'll definitely check out the sunscreens, also. Thanks!

    RE: .23

    I have a brochure on the Hondex and saw them at the Worcester show
    this past Winter. The sales rep billed the wrist remote as something
    nice to have, but mostly a novelty, as I recall. It looks kind of
    neat, though, like a Dick Tracy screen with an antenna. Resolution
    looks pretty decent, in the picture, anyway.

    BTW, what's happening in Manchaug ...?

    Regards,
    Bill

   A guy in my group just purchased an Eagle Z-9500.  He was not happy with the
way it was working (irratic) so he called Eagle and found out that all the
Z-9500's were being recalled.  Eagle has set up a special account with UPS for
pick-ups and delivery and will turn the unit around in 1 day at the factory
(supposedly 1 day going, 1 day in house, 1 day returning) for a total of a 3
day turnaround... 

   If you've got one, you might give Eagle a call to get the scoop for your
unit.....

Al

    Well, I did it - I bought an Eagle Z7200 (got it at Bliss Marine,
    Warwick, RI - they might still have one left).

    Looks like a pretty nice unit. I decided against a video unit, as
    is would tend to get splashed and bounced around on my small boat.

    It seems Bliss just started selling Eagles this year, and the guy
    was really pushing Humminbird's which they have carried for quite
    a while, which may be why he had two 7200s in stock, since he wasn't
    familiar enough with it to really "sell" it. I went for the resolution
    over the Fish ID/fish in red features of Eagle and Humminbird. I figured
    if the 7200 is sold out most places, it must have something going for
    it!

    Regards,
    Bill

    Finally having got to use my Lowrance X5 this weekend I thought I
    would comment. Plain and simple for a top of the line ($500) unit
    I cannot see (literaly) why any one would buy an LCD. The screen
    is nearly imposible to read unless you are right on it at the right
    angle. I am very glad I put a paper machine on the boat also. 
    In general I have yet to see an LCD that even comes close to
    giving the info you can get out of a paper machine or vidio
    (mono or color). The only good thing I can say about LCD is it
    does not use expensive chart paper.
    
    Save your $$$ and buy real fish finders....
    
    Capt. Codfish
                                        

    I did compare the LCD screen of the Eagle to the Humminbird, and
    the LCD of the Eagle stood right out, while the Humminbird, as you
    say, did require the right angle. The sales rep did demo the Humminbird
    by shining a spotlight on it, and the screen actually was easier
    to read with the light ON it.
    
    I saw an Eagle Fish ID demoed, but not the Z7200, which I bought.
    I am assuming that the Z7200 has as bright a display as the Fish
    ID. I hope my assumption is right!

    By the way, I bought an ULTRA II swivel mount, which I plan to return,
    after bringing it home and finding out that it only rotates in ONE
    direction, so to swivel it back, you have to rotate it completely
    around!
    
    Any suggestions on another swivel mount?

    Regards,
    Bill

    .re  .27  Visibility on the X5
    
    I bought an X5 when they first came out.  Except for the visibility,
    I think it's fantastic.   The X5 was replaced by the X50, same unit
    with some improved software AND and improved LCD display.  I think
    Lowrance calls it a "twist" or "swirl" or something like that. 
    Anyhow, when the X50 came I was able to have my X5 upgraded to 
    an X50 for $50.  It's the same unit with new LCD and microcode and
    a couple of resistor value changes.
    
    I'm now very happy with it.  The display is very visible in any
    light or angle and, even with polarized glasses.  The newer Eagles
    also use the same display (the bluish one).
    
    But .27 is correct.  It's a long way from chart recorder quality.
    
    Frank
    

    Re .27

    	Bruce I agree that the paper seems expensive, but depending on
    how much of the time you have it on it could be relatively inexpensive.
    I would say on average I get 8 trips out of a roll. Some times I don't
    even turn it on at lakes I frequent, sometimes its never shut off.
    So figure 8 trips a $6.50 a roll = $.81 a trip. I think it is well 
    worth it for the $. I can tell exactly what the bottom is made up of
    (weeds,sand,muck,stumps,rocks) with the paper. Oh ya you can see the
    fish laying on the bottom too.

    Rich

    Hi - I'm installing a transducer flush mount on the transom. My
    question is that I'm installing an Eagle transducer and in order
    to make it flush with the bottom, I have to tilt the back end of
    it up slightly, creating a small gap between it and the transom.
    On another transducer that I had with this problem, I filled the
    gap with silicone and had no problem. Does anyone know if there
    is a problem with Eagle transducers with this method? I don't see
    why there would be, but just wondering.
    
    Thanks!
    
    Bill

    Does anyone out there have any information on the Ray Jefferson
    Model LCD-500?
    
    I'm in the Milwaukee, WI. branch, and have a Gander Mountain Store
    located right behind us.  I went in there today at lunch and they
    had a clearance sale going on.  I bought the above mentioned model,
    normally $259.00 for $79.99.  They had all the old Jefferson models
    on clearance like the color crt, normally $599.00 for $199.00
    
    I'm just wondering if I made the right decision.  I have 48 hours
    to return it if I don't like it.
    
    What's your thoughts out there?????
    
    Thanks.
    
    Tom
    

    
    I have a Hummingbird TCR 101 with 16 deg transducer.  A wide angle
    40 deg. transducer is optionally available.  Does anyone have
    experience with the wide angle trans.?  I fish 95% of the time
    in water less than 15 feet.  A 16 deg cone obviously gives me
    less than 3 ft. diameter of the bottom.  What can I expect to
    gain by upgrading?
    
    Thanks
    
    The Harbormaster
    

    Re: .32
    Tom - Ive owned a Ray Jeff 500 for over two years. Its permentently
    mounted on my bass boat - (In Merrimack NH)
    What a great deal you got. I love mine - has boat speed, temp and
    auto ranges, etc. etc. I can see it in the daytime even with fishing
    glasses. I know a Hummingbird 4X6 that you cant see at all!! Sorry
    Rick...
    It sometimes gets stupid - think when its in shallow water. But
    in >6 ft of water its super. I also have a Ray Jeff 'flasher' on
    the electric Model 514 I think? At that price Id put two on!! and
    mount the 514 in another spot!!
    Wonder if I called them if they would mail it?
    If you know the anwwer MAIL me?
    		Regards Lavender Jack