NorthWest Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing => Product Discussions => Topic started by: Tinker on January 04, 2018, 06:16:14 AM
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New kayak = new fish finder. If you're me and you sell a kayak AND the fish finder. Duh.
The new Lowrance finders, the HOOK2 series, have a different mounting system and no one making aftermarket mounts have caught up with the changes. Rats! I've only owned Lowrance products, so I'm asking for recommendations for other brands.
What I'd like is:
- a 5 inch screen
- GPS/Chartplotting
- CHIRP
- down scanning
And, of course, a way to use RAM mounting hardware.
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Tinker,
I work for RAM. We just came out with attachments for the new Hook2 series. Any Lowrance 5" and under will get the newer attachment. 7" and up will use the same mounts. Here's a blog piece we did recently https://www.rammount.com/blog/2017/12/mount-of-the-month-lowrance-hook2-series-mounting-kits/
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Thank you for pointing that out. It looks like they'll be released close to the same time as the HOOK2 finders.
That's a really big and clunky mount (compared to the current Lowarnce mounts) and it's not RAM's fault. You can only work with what Lowrance makes.
I don't get why Lowrance made that change after all these years.
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It was a cost issue. I believe they wanted to get their smaller finders down in price. The larger units will still have the same mounts.
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Thanks, again. Can't see how that makes the least bit of sense, but at least I understand the decision path.
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Not trying to hijack the thread but I noticed the hook 2 series as well. Is there a preference between the 1 inch or 1.5 inch adapter. Thanks
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Not trying to hijack the thread but I noticed the hook 2 series as well. Is there a preference between the 1 inch or 1.5 inch adapter. Thanks
The 1" RAM ball is ample for a 4" and 5" Lowrance. Stepping up to a 7" screen you're better off with a 1.5" RAM Ball. The the larger the RAM ball size, the more weight it can hold. Also the rubberized coating on the ball absorbs vibration - which isn't that big of an issue on a kayak.
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I don't get why Lowrance hasn't figured out that kayakers are using fish finders, and just put a dam 1/4-20 threaded insert on the bottom like every camera on the planet, GoPro, and Raymarine fish finders so users can screw on a 1" RAM ball and go to town on their own mounting system to the kayak. :dontknow:
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I don't get why Lowrance hasn't figured out that kayakers are using fish finders, and just put a dam 1/4-20 threaded insert on the bottom like every camera on the planet, GoPro, and Raymarine fish finders so users can screw on a 1" RAM ball and go to town on their own mounting system to the kayak. :dontknow:
Agreed, the Raymarine units come out of the box with the 1" Ram Ball (or licensed version) which makes it super easy. The could still easily add the "stronger" type mount as well in the box, the threaded insert wouldn't stop that.
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ballardbrad, I appreciate the insight and information on the new Lowrance mounts. Thank you.
I wish Lowrance had retained the old-style mounts all the way down to the 5-inch models, but wishes and horses...
INSAYN and Matt M, are there two votes for Raymarine as a possible alternative to a Lowrance, or just two votes for how a Raymarine mounts?
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Thank you, Dave.
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Matt M, are there two votes for Raymarine as a possible alternative to a Lowrance, or just two votes for how a Raymarine mounts?
Well I run a dragonfly unit and definitely like it. There's a few things I liked better about my lowrance Elite 4x, (Voltage on the screen and a clock/time) but overall I am really happy with it. I think I paid $270ish for the Dragonfly 4 pro with Navionics+ chip. The ramball mount out of the box saved me a few bucks, but not enough to make a decision over.
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I have a D-5P. As well as the above shortcomings the thing that irks me the most is the fact that the typeface for depth soundings does not enlarge with the zoom feature. I have to shimmy forward to see the numbers on contours. My eyesight is pretty good, but 8 or 9 point font that sits beyond my toes on a screen with dried salt splashes is not great. Zoom should zoom the whole screen, not just the view of the contours.
I ditched the 1“ ball when new and went straight for a 1.5". Maybe it's an unnecessary move, especially if you remove and stow your FF before launching and landing in the surf zone, but the extra torque you can apply to the 1.5" is good piece of mind for the investment.
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I have to wear readers to make out 8 or 9 point font a foot from my nose, so that's good to know. Thanks.
I agree about a 1.5 inch ball and especially the longer arm available for it.
Is anyone using Humminbirds or Garmins? I know nothing about them these days.
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Yeah the time thing is annoying, but overall not a major area of issue considering I have my watch on me at all times. The voltage readout is especially helpful in knowing if my battery is going to die soon.
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I wear a watch and don't care about the time, but I depend on seeing the battery voltage, so the Dragonfly finders wouldn't be my first choice.
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Is anyone using Humminbirds or Garmins? I know nothing about them these days.
Well since you asked, I bought a Garmin last spring. Extremely happy with the purchase. Quickdraw is a game changer. I feel like I can show up at an unmapped body of water and quickly dial in the spots I want to hit. It was a real eye opener to actually see a map of the spots I've fished for years. As you might imagine there is sometimes a good reason why fish hit in very specific locations.
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Well since you asked, I bought a Garmin last spring. Extremely happy with the purchase. Quickdraw is a game changer...
So the Garmin is why you took 1st place in AOTY! ;D
Thank you, appreciate the information and I'll give them a look.
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Thought I'd throw a link up with our new RAM Mounts Paddlesports Catalog . Lots of neat new products including injection molded & aluminum tracks, rod holders, swinging camera mounts, paddle/net/gaff holders, etc. Plus one sexy hand and body model :) http://issuu.com/rammount/docs/paddlesports_catalog?e=13067616/50195972
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My Garmin corroded to shit really fast. I'm sure part of it was me, but still pretty frustrating. The connectors on them are not the best.
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Put some dielectric grease on the terminals
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Thought I'd throw a link up with our new RAM Mounts Paddlesports Catalog . Lots of neat new products including injection molded & aluminum tracks, rod holders, swinging camera mounts, paddle/net/gaff holders, etc. Plus one sexy hand and body model :) http://issuu.com/rammount/docs/paddlesports_catalog?e=13067616/50195972
Thanks for this, Brad!
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Thought I'd throw a link up with our new RAM Mounts Paddlesports Catalog . Lots of neat new products including injection molded & aluminum tracks, rod holders, swinging camera mounts, paddle/net/gaff holders, etc. Plus one sexy hand and body model :) http://issuu.com/rammount/docs/paddlesports_catalog?e=13067616/50195972
Thanks for this, Brad!
Where are the Air Marshals when we need them? There's a highjacking in progress! :banjo:
Lots of good stuff coming out of RAM this year. I even see a few I'll be interested in. It was hard to find the part numbers for the various head unit mounts to fit the ball and arm pieces I already have, so thanks for that, Brad.
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My Garmin corroded to shit really fast. I'm sure part of it was me, but still pretty frustrating. The connectors on them are not the best.
That's one thing I really like about the Raymarine units. The twist lock connection to the head unit is super tight and even the caps they include to cover the cable when the unit is unplugged has a nice gasket..
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Thought I'd throw a link up with our new RAM Mounts Paddlesports Catalog . Lots of neat new products including injection molded & aluminum tracks, rod holders, swinging camera mounts, paddle/net/gaff holders, etc. Plus one sexy hand and body model :) http://issuu.com/rammount/docs/paddlesports_catalog?e=13067616/50195972
Thanks for this, Brad!
Where are the Air Marshals when we need them? There's a highjacking in progress! :banjo:
Lots of good stuff coming out of RAM this year. I even see a few I'll be interested in. It was hard to find the part numbers for the various head unit mounts to fit the ball and arm pieces I already have, so thanks for that, Brad.
Ha. Happy to help. With 3K different parts it can sometime be a challenge navigating. I'm trying to tweak the website along the way offering suggestions for things like extension arms to rods, better descriptions and lifestyle shots. Stay tuned. We've got some exciting stuff happening this year. :)
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Brad, that's an awesome catalogue, thanks. I once busted a 1" ball that held my 5" Lowrance when I dropped off the back of a wave going out. I now have a much lighter 4" Hook 4, that's not likely to break it off. It's maybe a third the weight.
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Brad, that's an awesome catalogue, thanks. I once busted a 1" ball that held my 5" Lowrance when I dropped off the back of a wave going out. I now have a much lighter 4" Hook 4, that's not likely to break it off. It's maybe a third the weight.
Well, RAM's gear is guaranteed for life. If you break it get it back to us for a replacement (unless of course it's on the bottom off the coast or something..) :)
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So the Garmin is why you took 1st place in AOTY! ;D
Possibly ;D
Seriously.....it's a huge advantage.
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My Garmin corroded to shit really fast. I'm sure part of it was me, but still pretty frustrating. The connectors on them are not the best.
I've used my for a full season and no sign of corrosion. In fact they look brand new. Not in the salt as much as some of you so that might be why. The dielectric grease might have helped too. ;)
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I'm trying to tweak the website along the way offering suggestions for things like extension arms to rods, better descriptions and lifestyle shots. Stay tuned. We've got some exciting stuff happening this year. :)
Thanks Brad, looking forward to seeing the new stuff. Was that Zoolander doing the hand modeling? Appreciate the heads up on the lifetime warranty... now I need to go find that broken 1" ball lost in all my fishing gear.