I had a Garmin 500c that would show gear really easily, even in deep water. My new Garmin 5dv shows the gear in shallower water, and not so much deep, but that's more a result of crappy transducer placement than the unit. Where is your transducer currently located? I also found that using the lower frequency setting(77kHz) in deep water helps.
As far as depth is concerned, are we talking 300ft or less?
You need a transducer either pointed back or a transducer with a wide beam angle.
If your cable angle is close to 45 degrees, you will be at 75 ft of depth for every 100 ft of cable out, and 25 ft behind the boat.
I'd contact Airmar on this issue. I prioritize seeing fish as I can roughly calculate ball depth.
Is the transducer on the starboard side? Should be on the side of the "downstroke" of the prop (usually starboard on most boats). Also try playing with noise reduction and gain settings, noticed it made a difference on my old setup...
They make an adapter, maybe check it out. I have an Elite 7 paired with an Airmar TM150 and had to use a small adapter cord for my setup.On average 250 ft or less.
Don't think the Airmar P66 will fit mine. Supposed to be a seven pin blue plug, which mine isn't.
My unit puts out 250 watts. I can get it to read to about 600ft in the chuck.
I belive 83hz is the narrower beam and 200hz is the wider beam but I can't get a straight answer from the dealer on that.
They make an adapter, maybe check it out. I have an Elite 7 paired with an Airmar TM150 and had to use a small adapter cord for my setup.
Hi Seafever. Lower frequency equals wider beam angle. a 200 Khz transducer has a 20 degree beam angle. A 83 Khz transducer has a 60 degree beam angle. If your DR cable is at 45 degrees, the 60 degree should see the ball. The latest in F/F technology is CHIRP. There are 3 frequency ranges of CHIRP; low, medium, high. Within each of the 3 frequency ranges, CHIRP will transmit a range of frequency's versus a single frequency that traditional sonar uses. Using this range of frequency's results in better target detection.
By today's standards 250 watts is low power, but is probably fine for Salmon fishing. I was at the boat show a few years back & the guy's from Simrad were showing their system with an expensive Airmar transducer showing Halibut on the bottom. Some CHIRP transducers will transmit 2 frequency ranges but I doubt $1K will even buy the transducer.
According to Lowrance you have a CHIRP unit & it can have a 50, 83, or 200 Khz transducer.
I would call Lowrance support to see how to determine what frequency your transducer is, then perhaps change transducers.
My understanding seafever - is that frequency is the primary factor in depth penetration (besides power) - lower frequencies (i.e. 50khz) are therefore better for saltwater with deeper and more dense (saltier) water...Does the narrower beam (200khz) have more depth penetration than the 83 or 50?
My understanding seafever - is that frequency is the primary factor in depth penetration (besides power) - lower frequencies (i.e. 50khz) are therefore better for saltwater with deeper and more dense (saltier) water...
A few jokes come to mind wrt that comment...If you can see your balls, chances are you are going too slow....