Garmin 550s

[Mike Fox]

I bought this unit in late Spring 2007, selected as a compact combined plotter and sounder, which was needed for the restricted space on my cockpit binnacle.

 

This unit has a 5

Edited October 28, 2007 by Mike Fox

[Member Removed]

Nice review there Mike, do you have any problems at losing the bottom signal at speed, using plasticine sounds like a damn good idea, would you say the unit is reliable at showing fish? I have the 250c and just don't have any confidence at all in it's fish finding capabilities.

Cheers Sean

[Mike Fox]

Hi Sean,

Speed for me means 6 knots, as I fish from a yacht, but I never lose the bottom signal, unless going over a prop-wash.

 

I find that fish finding is better at lower speed still, because the echos are small, and I suspect a fleeting return isn't "translated" as a fish very effectively at higher speed. I've seen some units such as Navmans that indicate fish at higher speeds, but that might also be a characteristic of better hull bonding. Perhaps some others on here could advise?

 

It does show fish echos from over 200' down, as I proved on cross-channel trips this summer.

 

The plasticine means that the transducer does lose a little in single strength and clarity, but it's a good temporary measure until I decide if (and where) I should bond it into the hull.

 

Mike

[great white]

Nice report thanks Mike

 

Sorry but the speed question cheered me up on a day when the weather has kept me from fishing on the new toy

 

I fitted the transducer yesterday on a layer of blue tac, which I did last time and it lasted for months, i

 

t seems OK while I decide where the perminent position will be and I had a bottom picture at over 15 knots in the harbour, once its bonded to the hull or fitted in an oil bath I expect to get that at ove 20 knots

 

Charlie

 

 

[Member Removed]

Maybe my problem is adding another 20knts to your 6, did try bonding with araldite but I lost some strength in signal so went back to the transom mount, thing that bugs me most is it not showing fish arches when you know fine well there are fish around on the drift.

Sean

[shytalk]

the last one i fitted went in the keel of a southcat on a bed of silicon sealant the pictures still good at 20kts

[Maverick Martin]

My raymarine DS600 is fitted in the proper tube with cooking oil and it works a treat through all speed ranges up to 30 knots. It does ocasionally go silly at slower speeds which is just when you realy need it Not sure what causes it but I guess turbulence from underwater structures?

 

Martin

[great white]

Martin that is probably the power bouncing the signal up and down fast several times in shallow water

 

If you can reduce the power it should help when sneaking in the shallows for the flounders or back to base

 

Charlie

[Maverick Martin]

It sometimes does it when offshore in 150' plus but soon finds itself again so not to much of a problem