Down View question

I know this question should probably be posted in a different section but I wanted opinions from Alaska anglers specifically.  I'm looking at getting a new Fish Finder/GPS combo and I've been looking at the Garmin Echo Map 50Dv Worldwide.  My question is have any of you used the Down View or Down imaging before in Alaskan waters and what were your opinions on it, how does it work in dirty inshore water (Deep Creek, Whiskey Gulch, Homer) and which Make/Model do you have.  I'm a Garmin fan because I've always had good luck with their products, I didn't have to pay extra for Alaska charts, and they haven't let me down yet, I'm always willing to try a new brand if the quality and price are right.

Know one has any insight on this?

Not me, sorry.

I used a Lowrance Elite 4X HDI and the down imaging worked to about 100'. Not to say you couldn't go deeper but the readings became pretty faint. From what I've heard most DI are like that. The only one I've heard do DI deep really well is the Raymarine Dragonfly.

I know powerboats upgrading to the new fancy Di and chirp sonars.  They say you can tell the difference between pollock and salmon with them. 

When I hear the powerboatters complain, it sounds like they have lower end units that just don't have the proper power or correct transducers.  From what little i know about fish finders, the transducers 99% of us use work, but are frankly pieces of junk compared to "real transducers".  The top charters are running sonars with 3K power output and the transducer is about half the size of a loaf of bread.

Very curious because if the lower end units can discriminate targets that well, I would be interested. 

I too would be interested to hear more comparisons from users on Garmin DownVu vs. Lowrance HDI vs. Dragonfly, and also the addition of chirp to each of these manufacturers (supposedly the algorithms are different).  What's good?

The dragonfly transducer is HUGE, so that could possibly explain why the deep imaging is better?  Would it be as good if the transducer was shooting thru the hull?

Then another question...is a mapping GPS with charts a feature worth paying for in a FF?  Is the bathymetry displayed on the charts accurately enough to plan a route, or is a handheld GPS with your fish finder sonar sufficient?

The Dragonfly has by far the best of the structure finding sonar capabilities. It goes deeper and is much more clear and precise. (Thats if we are talking saltwater solely). The Garmin DownVu would do ok, but not really much better than your traditional sonar.
Lowrance's Downscan is garbage in dirty saltwater and isn't really better than traditional sonar, but its Structure Scan is ok (not great). Although I am guessing you do not want to put an HDS on your kayak although some have (An HDS is what you would need for Structure Scan and you need a huge separate transducer).

I am a Lowrance guy because of their awesome mapping, but the Dragonfly is the way to go if structure is what you want. As far as sonar in saltwater, it would go Raymarine>>>Garmin>Lowrance.

The dragonfly transducer is HUGE, so that could possibly explain why the deep imaging is better?  Would it be as good if the transducer was shooting thru the hull?

That's a good guess. All other comparable transducers are the little triangles.

Then another question...is a mapping GPS with charts a feature worth paying for in a FF?  Is the bathymetry displayed on the charts accurately enough to plan a route, or is a handheld GPS with your fish finder sonar sufficient?

I really like Navionics maps on my FF and is worth it in my opinion. Knowing you're where you're supposed to is HUGE for your confidence. And yeah, watching the bottom and the map I'd say it's spot on most all the time.

I looked at the reviews and price of the Dragonfly and I think I'm going with that. I found the 4 series model sonar/downview/GPS with maps for $299 (free shipping) on amazon. Seems like a pretty sweet unit and the screen is super detailed.

I have a Humminbird fish finder with down imaging, and haven't found the Down Imaging to be at all helpful.  I almost never use it.  I've been wondering if a reason it isn't working well is because the transducer is mounted in the transducer pocket in the bottom of my Revolution.  Regular sonar works great with the transducer in the pocket.  Has anybody compared the performance of down imaging sonar when the transducer is mounted on a boom, in a transducer pocket, and/or mounted inside the hull of a kayak?

I have a Humminbird fish finder with down imaging, and haven't found the Down Imaging to be at all helpful.  I almost never use it.  I've been wondering if a reason it isn't working well is because the transducer is mounted in the transducer pocket in the bottom of my Revolution.  Regular sonar works great with the transducer in the pocket.  Has anybody compared the performance of down imaging sonar when the transducer is mounted on a boom, in a transducer pocket, and/or mounted inside the hull of a kayak?

Does this article I wrote help any ... http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/articles/139-kayak-fishing-how-to-articles/1822-down-scan-imaging-down-imaging-shoot-through-demystified.html

-Allen

Does this article I wrote help any ... http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/articles/139-kayak-fishing-how-to-articles/1822-down-scan-imaging-down-imaging-shoot-through-demystified.html

-Allen

Great info there Allen!  Way to cut thru all the speculation.

-Mark-

Thanks Allen - great article with some A-B comparisons, that was helpful.

Does this article I wrote help any ... http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/articles/139-kayak-fishing-how-to-articles/1822-down-scan-imaging-down-imaging-shoot-through-demystified.html
-Allen

Nice, that helps a lot.

Please report back about how you like the Dragonfly 4.  Looks like a great deal if it performs to your expectations.  Definitely want to hear about dirty water sonar and how well the chirp frequency algorithm helps you pick up fish and structure (even some screen pics would be cool?!)

I looked at the reviews and price of the Dragonfly and I think I'm going with that. I found the 4 series model sonar/downview/GPS with maps for $299 (free shipping) on amazon. Seems like a pretty sweet unit and the screen is super detailed.