humminbird matrix x37

[Seahorse]

can anyone give me a report on this model sounder. looking at getting one.

thanks
greg

[aussiebasser]

Excellent value for money. Upgradable to GPS and Weathersense. Great side scan ability. Freeze frame and go back to mark GPS points. My Matrix 35 does just about everything I need from a sounder and the 37 is one step better.

[Finnatical]

I have had mine for a year now and am quite happy with it. the clarity is excellent and is very easy to use. The GPS function is alright but i would prefer a proper GPS system but that is a lot of extra bucks. The 360 degree swivelling gimbal type bracket they are fitted on is excellent and makes it easy to read the sounder when fishing from the front deck - saves having a bow mounted sounder.

Can't say that i use the side imaging function very often as it pales in comparision to the quality of the top of the range models. Still it is something good to have for trips to Awoonga and the like.

All up a very good unit for the money in my opinion.

Good luck with the purchase,
Jason

[pegasus]

Hi seahorse,

Have had Matrix 37 for 18 months now no problems to date-run a navman gps plotter seperate- unit user friendly,good definition- agree with Finn- 360 rotation allows me to fish up the front still using the same sounder- very happy with the it.

[Seahorse]

thanks pegasus. Where do u use urs. does it show the bottom nice and clear as well as structures

cheers
greg

[Burley_Boy]

I only fish offshore.
The 37X gives me the detail I need though at the moment not enough detail when on the moove (I'd say I need to shift it to get better reading s while under way I'd love a 2K colour unit but for the moment this puts me onto fish in 70M of water).

I use a cheap Garmin 12X plgged into it for GPS and works fine.

I don't use 50Hz I don't use side view.
Ask anything you like.

BB

[Seahorse]

thank BB.
i will keep that in mind. i havnt got it yet. its getting fitted to new boat, so hopefully will be using next week end.


cheers
greg

[Burley_Boy]

Sensitivity on full, all filters off and in manual mode, then learn to set you upper & lower limits.

[Plasticin]

Has this model been discontinued??? I thought that they had been replaced with the 700 series but i could be wrong... Be good if someone could clarify

[davo]

I think the 737 has replaced it.

[pegasus]

Hi Greg,

ref ur question- mainly use mine shallow water- estuary, bay, impoundment but I think it would cover me out a fair way.Good points from Berley boy- work the sounder- rather than leaving everything on auto. As far as mono sounders go I think they re pretty good .

best regards
lew

[mikedel]

Greg you should get a good price on a Matrix 37 as it`s been replaced by the 737.
MD

[Rod_Bender]

I've had my Matrix 37 for about 4-5 months now. Have connected the GPS receiver up to it as prior to this i purchase 2 cables and connected up my handheld GPS to it for the same function. Receiver is a lot more easier to use.
Actual performance of sounder is beyond expectation. In creek's at slow speed picks up bottom and structure with high detail. At speed, picture is ok. Used for the first time in 41 metres of water out past Maggi Island in Townsville. Again, setting it in manual mode gave great details and allowed me to find struture and fish with ease. For money, its gotta be the best sounder on the market....but just remember what you have paid for it, its not a $1500 sounder in the market. Roddy

[Seahorse]

roddy/
what did u have to do to turn sounder into a gps as well? how does it work. is it a slit screen? iam very interested

cheers
greg

[Rod_Bender]

The matrix has a GPS ready function in all its units. If you plug the humminbird GPS receiver (Aerial) into the unit or a handheld GPS such as a garmin 72, it will allow you to see it similar to a plotter. You can mark waypoints, tracks, measure speed etc. Intitially i connected my handheld garmin 12 to the unit via 2 cables, one being a garmin cable and the other a humminbird cable. cost retail is about $70 all up. I have found the GPS receiver is be far more user friendly. Great sounder and very happy with my choice as i pondered it for months and narrowed it down to the matrix of the Raymarine 400x. Martix 37 has a huge beam which allows a decent image of under my boat. Cheers Roddy

[Seahorse]

hey roddy.
just one question. Once u plug in arial, do u use the sounder as a gps then? do u split the screens or what. how does it all work. i know they may seem dumb questions but i tried to look on their website but found nothing.

cheers
greg

[aussiebasser]

Yes, you can use split screen.

Suggest you go to your dealer, or even better, go the the Brissie boat show and talk to Fitzy at the BLA stand. You'll get a good deal there too.

[Seahorse]

whats theBLA stand

[Burley_Boy]

often use the split screen while drifting and the full screen when travelling.
Just hit the menu button to scroll through the different screens.

[Rod_Bender]

Seahorse

Best thing to do is seek out your local humminbird dealer and have a play with the unit in simulator mode. You'll be able to see it working as a sounder and in GPS mode. Let us know how you go with seeking a good price on one, as i can put you onto some great web sites that can have it landed at your door more times cheaper then retail outlets can. Roddy.

[mikedel]

Seahorse the BLA stand is the Bob Littler Agencies stand at the Brizzy boat show. They`re the Aussie agents for Humminbird, Minn Kota and a host of other stuff. Fittzy or Tim Morgan will be there giving advice and there`s not much those two don`t know about sounders.

[Seahorse]

thank mike

roddy. i already have one. came with new boat

cheers
greg

[Bittz]

Just joinning in. I am recieving a 737 for farthers day can anyone give me a few pros and cons for running the GPS reciever or plugging in a hand held, (first time plotter user). Also does the location of the reciver matter ie vertical, horozontal or under the consol.

Cheers,

[Rod_Bender]

Bittz
I mounted my GPS receiver up top on my centre console. Prior to this purchase, i used my garmin 12 handheld GPS. I found the GPS receiver to gain a 'fix' a lot quicker then the GPS unit itself. Using my GPS unit, i was not allowed to connect the power cable so this ment running it solely on batteries which was annoying. I was going to seek a voltage reducer from Dick Smith's to allow the power cable to work to fix this negative - but i just purchased the GPS receiver instead and found it a lot more user friendly. Its plugged in all the time and ready to go straight away. Roddy