Lovers of fishing in the cold season will certainly be interesting to learn about how to choose a winter sounder.This unique device will help avid athletes return home with a considerable catch and forget about disappointments in the absence of the desired output.Let's talk about what are the requirements for such a device, what brands are preferred and which necessarily should pay attention to when buying.
Device Overview
Before you answer the question, how to choose a winter sounder, you must define what constitutes such a device in general.Regardless of the type, brand, seasonality and producer, devices of this type have one common purpose, which is to identify the objects and living creatures that are in the water column at a considerable distance from the fisherman.
In common parlance can be called a radar sounder that emits ultrasonic pulses - signals.They penetrate through the water and fix the structure of the surface and the bottom of the reservoir, as well as clusters of living inhabitants in it, they show a picture unavailable eye fisherman.In addition to the basic tasks sounders can perform additional functions, for example, to determine the temperature of the water and the direction of movement of the fish.
basic characteristics of the device for the cold season
So, what characteristics must have winter sounder?Of course, every device is unique and has its own technical parameters, but a number of common physical and practical characteristics that must have a device for cold weather, you can still select.These include:
- ability to perform tasks and to work in conditions of negative temperatures (even significant).
- presence of a powerful battery ensures a long trouble-free operation even in the most difficult weather conditions (if necessary, the device is equipped with a special cover).
- have a special sensor for holes in the ice (a distinguishing feature).
What you should pay attention in the first place?
choosing winter sounder, always keep in mind the depth of water bodies on which you plan to fish in the near future.Water Column largely determines the capacity of the device: the shallow water will be enough to buy the most simple and affordable model for optimal considerable depth to give preference to special funds that are quite expensive.
fundamental difference is also precisely in the presence of a so-called sensor wells.With it, you can as soon as possible to locate fish and track its movement in the depths of the pond, ice-bound.
rules of choosing the optimal device
So choose sounder for winter fishing.By the process of determining an appropriate model should be treated as closely as possible, paying attention to different, even the smallest nuances.If you do not understand these devices, be sure to read additional literature or consult with a specialist.It is particularly important to consider the following characteristics:
- size and weight.If possible, give preference to compact models, this will facilitate their transport in difficult natural conditions and make fishing more enjoyable.
- resistance to low temperatures.This requirement applies to all components of the device, including cables, batteries, sensors, screen.If you purchased the old model, the more likely it may be noted that it will not work properly in the cold, or not work at all.
- number of pixels of the display.It is a universal requirement for both the winter and summer for the devices on this characteristic to pay attention anyway.Determines the rate the quality and clarity of the image displayed screen.
- presence of gray in the image on the screen.This hue depending on the degree of intensity determines the structure of the bottom of the fisherman and provides the most complete information about the reservoir.
- presence of additional functions.Wishing is not mandatory, but is highly desirable.For example, some models of the device can be equipped with navigation, a temperature sensor and many other useful and pleasant functions.
Popular models Winter devices
Let's talk about what the producers represented the most popular sounders for winter fishing.User reviews contain positive information on the following types of devices:
- "Garmin Echo".It has a large screen, simple and intuitive controls, lots of shades of gray in the display.It is the two-beam.
- "Garmin Fishfaynder-250."It characterized by excellent display resolution, the presence of two beams, a large battery endurance.
- "Humminbird 180".Three-beam apparatus as simple as possible to use.It features superb image quality, display screen, and the ability to use at night, in low visibility, which is a very valuable asset for many fishermen.
- "Eagle Trifaynder-2."Designed for fishing in shallow waters.The maximum depth of the actions of its beam is 10 meters, suitable for novice anglers, as is quite simple to use.
- "Fischer" - a compact device for beginners, allowing to master the basic principles of working with the sonar.Its main characteristics are in the depth of the beam to 1 meter and a range up to 20 degrees.
Robust domestic developments
Winter sounder "Practice" developed by Russian designers and successfully used for fishing in the cold season.The most popular model for this mark is designated as "the practice of ER-6 Pro" (there are models "ER-4 Pro", "ER-4 Pro-2", more streamlined).Such a device is considered one of the best when used in our country.The device has the following qualitative characteristics:
- presence of one beam.
- low weight.
- Easy management.
- presence of nutrients, ensures uninterrupted operation for 200 hours (penlight batteries).
- Ability to work even at very low temperatures, as all the components of the device are resistant to frost (down to minus 20 degrees).
- Black-and-white palette display.
Sounder "practice" for winter fishing as simple as possible to use, for its main advantages include several modes of operation.Thus, the release:
- Zoom mode.It brings the depth range of up to 2 times.
- flasher mode.Is displayed bait and searching the horizon.
popular foreign models
"Lawrence Elite-4" - another great winter sounder.Reviews of this device indicate that it is excellent for fishing in the warm and in the frosty time of the year.Operating temperature range for this device is from minus 50 to plus 28 degrees.Due to similar property sonar may use the entire globe.This winter is a single-beam echo sounder, its main purpose is to find the fish, determining the depth of the water and the bottom of the irregularities.
Flasher - quality and reliability
flasher - popular and original echo sounders for winter fishing.Reviews of such devices often contain large amounts of information from enthusiastic anglers and professionals.What is the difference between this model from the existing analogue?The first is:
- Significant cost.
- round display, showing the movement of the fish in a natural way.
- ability to adjust the intensity of the beam, and hence the ability to use the device as a considerable depth, and in shallow water.
- ability to change the width of the light manually, allowing you to cover different field size pond.
main difference sonar seasonal
How are winter and summer sounders?Universal device, suitable for fishing in the summer, are not adapted to the harsh weather conditions.Using such a device in the cold, you can watch the ripples, a fuzzy picture on the display or the complete lack thereof.As we have already managed to find out products, designed specially for the winter season, they are equipped with the unique elements, including the battery, protective case and probe for holes in the ice.
Advantages and disadvantages Winter devices
Let's talk about what the pros and cons have depth finders for ice fishing?Reviews of fishermen using such devices will help us decide in this rather complex issue.Thus, according to users, significant shortcomings device are as follows:
- minimum visibility.Coverage action sonar limited only wells and does not pass through the ice mass.
- risk more active discharge devices (batteries) due to exposure to low temperatures.
- limited ability to work (each instrument has its own range of actions, some models can operate at minus 50, while other less significant negative temperatures).
As for the benefits, most specifically designed for cold conditions the models do an excellent job with such tasks as:
- definition of the structure bottom of the reservoir;
- determination of the depth;
- finding fish;
- determining the path of the fish.
importance of using sonar in season
For which cases the winter is sounder?Reviews developers and users comprise data that the device has been successfully used to detect the presence of fish, as well as its size, depth and studying the structure bottom, water temperature.Deciding to use sonar summer for winter fishing, you make a big mistake, because the device expose a significant overload and do not get the desired positive result (the screen will produce interference and simply refuses to work).A wide range of products designed specifically for winter fishing, allows you to select a suitable device and use it to achieve significant results.
