Can u switch off transducer on combos?

[Jackinthebox]

Hi guys,

shopping for a new sounder & the prices on the combo gps/sounders are pretty attractive.

Does anyone know if any of the big brands have the capability of switching off the sounder/transducer ping so u can just use the gps chartplotter without spooking fish in shallow water.

Also, can u adjust the display on any of these so you have full screen chartplotter or full screen sounder? (instead of split screen sounder/plotter)

AARRRGGGGH!!!!! Too many sounders & plotters, too many combinations, too many choices!!!!

Mick

[Stuie]

My Lowrance LCX-19C can do all the things you want. Sounder ping can be turned off. Split screen can be adjusted to any percantage or just full screen sounder or plotter. I can only assume the latest model Lowrance units do the same.

[bobp]

i know that you can on navman units

bob

[flyfisho]

I have the 997 bird you can do all that stuff with them too , in wide screen and if you get bored you can scratch your head and debate with your mates on what your seeing on the side imaging

[oddbudman]

I run my Garmin GPSMAP298 without the transducer plugged in no problem.

oddbudman

[Jackinthebox]

Thanks fellas, I'll go to the shops & have a play with a few.

Mick.

[Steve B]

I have 2 chartplotter/sounder combos. As does Oddbudsman, I unplugged the Garmin 178c transducer and run it as a plotter only. I run the other combo as a stand alone sounder.

If for some reason one breaks down, I still have GPS and sounder on the other. If they both pack it in on the same trip..... I will sell the whole bloody lot and give up fishing

[disorderly]

I have 2 chartplotter/sounder combos. As does Oddbudsman, I unplugged the Garmin 178c transducer and run it as a plotter only. I run the other combo as a stand alone sounder.

If for some reason one breaks down, I still have GPS and sounder on the other. If they both pack it in on the same trip..... I will sell the whole bloody lot and give up fishing

I've read a lot of threads where many people deride combos using the fact that" if you lose one you lose both" and that "the screen is too small when using both the sounder and the plotter" . For very few dollars extra over a stand alone plotter and sounder to carry two combo's is a smart move ,I believe.I recently had a unit take about 3 months to get fixed which is a long time to go without fishing.If I'd have had 2 combos I would not have had a problem.
Steve,
Do you get interference when running both sounders at the same time?
I was just trying to compare my 178c to my new furuno the other day but found that the furuno worked fine but the garmin not so.


Scott

[Steve B]

Scott,

I actually have the Garmin 178c combo transducer mounted to the transom and wired back to console but not plugged in. I tilt the transducer up out of the way so it doesnt get hit or damaged as its not being used. I use the garmin combo as a chartplotter only (with the option of sounder if required by simply plugging in the transducer cable and adjusting the transducer back down) .

I Run my Eagle 640c combo as a Sounder only although the GPS feature still runs, I only use full screen sounder for max detail.

I have both transducers mounted on the transom. one on port side and one on starboard. I have run both in sounder mode to compare the imaging when I first rigged them up. There was minor interference, enough to annoy me. It was quite interesting to note the returns from each. they both showed arches and bait schools at the same time etc. It was pretty cool.

I have a chart card for Eastcoast OZ in the Garmin. Although the detail isnt as good as the navionics i used to have in the eagle......but thats a different thread

hope that is some help. cheers steve