Bertramdriver
Well-Known Member
My RM ST50 depth sounder is dying as we read. To make things worse my previously invaluable humminbird 3D fish finder (which gave me a 3D image of what's under the keel) and has saved me from some difficult anchoring situations, finally died last trip out.
I'm trying to figure out what is best value for money to get some idea of what's under my keel.
1 a new ST 60 and transducer linked into my seatalk network (which guarantees if it throws a hissy fit I'll lose my autopilot as well). Trouble is I only get the depth but it is reasonably accurate and responsive
2 a new stand alone humminbird or RM fish finder that will be complicated to use and gives me a load of data I don't want. The price of the new 3D units is far beyond my pocket and the last thing I need is another integrated chart plotter. Although if anybody wishes to make a donation this would be my first choice
Really all I want is the modern equivalent of a bloke on the bows slinging out a lead and yelling to me the depth and what's stuck in the wax. Trouble is that it's vital, and on the occasions when I've relied on my old humminbird fish finder to read my depth whilst shallow water anchoring I've had fun polishing my props in the sand and trying to fight off the impending coronary.
So is there an option 3, apart from not ignoring my charts and putting my boat where I shouldn't?
I'm trying to figure out what is best value for money to get some idea of what's under my keel.
1 a new ST 60 and transducer linked into my seatalk network (which guarantees if it throws a hissy fit I'll lose my autopilot as well). Trouble is I only get the depth but it is reasonably accurate and responsive
2 a new stand alone humminbird or RM fish finder that will be complicated to use and gives me a load of data I don't want. The price of the new 3D units is far beyond my pocket and the last thing I need is another integrated chart plotter. Although if anybody wishes to make a donation this would be my first choice
Really all I want is the modern equivalent of a bloke on the bows slinging out a lead and yelling to me the depth and what's stuck in the wax. Trouble is that it's vital, and on the occasions when I've relied on my old humminbird fish finder to read my depth whilst shallow water anchoring I've had fun polishing my props in the sand and trying to fight off the impending coronary.
So is there an option 3, apart from not ignoring my charts and putting my boat where I shouldn't?