FCV620 v JRC FF50

[jigsnreels]

Hi guys,

Can anyon make a direct comparison between these two units (eg you've used both)?

Cheers,
Jigs

[ScubaSteve_US]

No question I would take a FCV620 over a JRC FF50. Furuno has the best fishfinders out there along with Raymarine. The 620 is a digital finder versus the FF50 is an analog sounder. The newer digital systems are superior to the analog technology. Hope this helps a little.

Neil - Scuba Steve's Marine

[Gozz]

I agree.
I have metes with both and the 620 wins.
You can use it auto and still get excellent results.
I just bought a 620 with transducer from the usa for $900 to my door because the aus dollar is so good at the moment.

[Foxy4]

I have the FCV620 and can't seem to fault it. Honestly can not comment on the other model JR FF50.

[whatscracken]

Furuno all the way mate, you won;t be disappointed

[klainz]

what transom mount transducer would you recommend for the 620?

[ScubaSteve_US]

For the 620 a 525T-PWD should do you just fine for a transom mount. It is a Depth & Temp transducer. If you want speed from your transducer (it is more accurate from the GPS) you would want the 525ST-PWD.

Neil- Scuba Steve's Marine

[Far side]

Some good solid advise there jigs

This is my opinion based on experience

I have used an older model JRC what I particulary like about this sounder is the ability to drive it. I dont know how you use a sounder bit I like to have all of the crap turned off and get pure signal
The JRC units have bottom descrimination which is a handy feature as you can descriminate between the bottom and immediately above in a flat line graph despite your boat dipping 3- 4 meters in big swell. this feature I find rather important as I can also determine the hardness of the bottom to find bommies and features. It really is the only feature I use at depth.
I investigated the FCV and it didn't have this feature so I didn't buy it. There was also some issue with supply and usually short in supply relates to warranty problems look at what is happening with Lowrance

I have no doubt that the FCV is an excellent product for its price but once you move into the entry level commercial grade equipment such as Koden or JRC then the expectation of performance does increase.
As you are in Tassie I would have a good hard look at sounder equipment as you will no doubt be working in much greater depths than we operate here

Like I said get a few other opinions unfortunately you only find out how good the gear is when your out seeing fish on the bottom

[propdinger]

i have the jrc ff50 and cant fault it for performance at all yes you have to learn the unit but you certainly get plenty out of it. i thought they stopped making it though as i was talking to the sales guys at the boat show they said a new one would be coming out next year some time. both are great units just depends on what you feel more comfy with and make sure you get the right transducer for your style of fishing thats where alot fail


jeff

[jigsnreels]

Thanks for the replies.

I have an FF50 and am happy with it. It holds bottom here down to 2500' even though it's just a thin trace at that depth. It certainly shows structure and fish at 1500', which is really its working limit. Screen is a bit bigger than the FCV.

Interestingly, I recently took it to Sydney and put it on another boat and it didn't read deep water anywhere near as well. I think that apart from the water being colder & therefore denser, which sounders prefer, our water in Tas has less "load" than your warmer waters.

I was interested in direct comparisons as i have a sister in California atm and was considering asking her to bring one back, with the AU$ being so strong. Just really checking to see if it was worth my while. From what I've seen here, it prolly isn't, both 600w, the bottom lock, as farside notes, is a great feature.

Still interested to hear other comparisons though,

Cheers,
Jigs

[finding_time]

Jigs
I own a furuno 585 ( larger 620) which is on my kc and i have a ff50 which is on my southwind ( which i still haven't sold yet) i have used the the ff50 for the last 6+ years and know this sounder backwards. The FF50 has 1 feature that the furuno doesn't have and that's BOTTOM DISCRIMINATION and it's a great feature. It flatens out the ocean floor and presents hardness below the line and life above the line, very good for identifying life close to the bottom on ruggered bottom!

The direct comparison between the units is very hard for me to do as i have invested in a 1kw transducer for the 585!! This transducer is not just more powerful , it MUCH MUCH more sensitive( 50 times more in 50khz and 13 times more in 200khz) I cannot begin to tell you how good this set-up is !! I can run at WOT and still get very clear readings from both 50 and 200 khz i was picking up schools of REDS doing 27 knots at 1770 last week. Earlier this year chasing blue marlin at the shelf i was pinging the bottom at 600m+ and CLEARLY marking schools of trevalla in 450m of water at cruise! If i was doing your sort of fishing i would beg , borrow or steal the $ 3000.00+ to get this set up you would not regret it for a minute. I'm using a airmar M260 transducer that sits in it's own wet box and shoots through the hull!

As Propdinger has already stated it all about the transducer, what's the point of having a good sounder if your only attaching it to a $120.00 dollar transducer JRC are bringing out a 1kw version sometime in the new year this would be a good unit and could be worth waiting for . When you comsider what you spend on fishing a good sounder package is the most important and will make the biggest impact on your catch rates!

Ian