OT: sonar/fishfinder

[Tim Clarke]

Well, been busy installing the new fishfinder/GPS on the boat. Seems like a shame to let the old one go to waste. Seems like the operating freq. of different brands and price levels would be different. So whaddya think about using both at the same time? Since the transducers would doubtless get signals back from each other, is this going to cause trouble? Anybody tried it??? I think i've heard the bass boat guys run multiple sonar units, but????

Thanks in advance, Tim

[dp]

Before I got into computers I used to sell and install marine electronics. It is very common to have two sonars running at the same time. It is also very common for there to be more than one boat in the area running multiple sonars and while there can be some cross-talk it is not a big deal.

The repetition rate of each sonar and the frequency selectivity of the wet components being what they are, they largely ignore each other. Interference tends to show up on recording sonars since they keep a record of every return vs the random blips you might see on non-digital systems. But because of pattern regularity you quickly look past it just as you don't see the weave of the canvas behind a fine piece of art.

[Your Old Dog]

You ain't got a proper boat if you ain't got a fish finder located up front for your guest! I ran two, one fore and one aft. Would have run 4, one on each side too incase something got through the other units undetected :D Always wanted forward seeking sonar! Turned the fore unit 90 degrees and the weeds are a real trip to look at!!

PS. It didn't help me catch any more fish.

[wierdscience]

PS. It didn't help me catch any more fish.

Sounds just like my nieghbors new boat,for years he had an old green john boat,then when he retired he bought a new flashy fiberglass job on a fancy trailer.I asked him if he was catching anymore fish,he said no,but he looked better trying:D

[Lynn Standish]

I find that the fish finders just show me fish that won't bite, thusly increasing my level of frustration beyond what I can stand. For that reason, I think even one of them is too many!