Transducer on a swivel?

[pizzafellow]

hi all,
I have an Impulse 2830(which works great of course except for the Loran part) with transducer that i am planing to install on a 1982 renken. The idea i have been thinking about is how would the depthfinder behave if I install the transducer on some kind of swivel head contraption that
I would control from the boat to direct the sound waves in different directions: forward, sideways and backwards(the latter when I am anchored).
Has anyone made such an experiment before? I am curious to find out your feed back.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

The answer to your question is NO! Another question would be "why bother and to serve what purpose?"

 

[pizzafellow]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

The purpose would be to scan the sides and ahead of the boat both for fish or obstructions, like they do with the newer side scan fishfinders.

 

[Nickledimed]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

one issue with that is that eventualy your swivle mount will become loose, so when the boat is under way it will flop around rendring it usless
2 If your wanting to use it to locate fish, turn that option off, youll chase fish all day and not catch anything, look for structure and cover.
I have 2 on my boat one of the transome, for trolling and being underway.
The second I have mounted on my trolling motor.
Anthing loose on the outside of a boat when under way is just asking to be lost or damaged.

 

[apache61]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

Seams like the unit would have a very hard time getting the return signal if at all.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

Conventional depth finders don't work like that, they aren't underwater spotlights.

They send out a somewhat directional signal, and then wait for the FIRST reply that sounds like the bottom echoing back. So what would happen is that you end up with a really weak return off the bottom below you. What you are actually aiming at might return a signal, but it will be much later. More or less what you are doing is aiming it down a steep hill, and the top of the hill will be the first return, everything after that will show up as under the surface of the bottom.

If you want sidescan, just have to cough up the money and buy it!

 

[apache61]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

Yep what he said

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

hi all,
I have an Impulse 2830(which works great of course except for the Loran part) with transducer that i am planing to install on a 1982 renken. The idea i have been thinking about is how would the depthfinder behave if I install the transducer on some kind of swivel head contraption that
I would control from the boat to direct the sound waves in different directions: forward, sideways and backwards(the latter when I am anchored).
Has anyone made such an experiment before? I am curious to find out your feed back.

Scanning and imaging electronics, built by the best manufacturers in the world, designed strictly for that purpose, are available to do just that. They are stationary, and for good reason.

 

[pbmang]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

Bottom line is it won't work. I understand what you are trying to do, but the way a typical depth finder works, its not going to happen, espically if you are moving. By the time the return is on your screen, you will be past the area, so looking for obstructions before you get to them is not going to happen.

 

[pizzafellow]

Re: Transducer on a swivel?

Well thankyou all for your enlightening comments.
I guess I have to let that idea rest !! I might give it a shot in the future , and if I do I'll report here on the outcome.
In the meantime, I have recently bought a navigation system that I am not familiar with, and would like to see your thoughts about it.
But I'll open a new thread for that.
Thnx again for the input folks.