“Easy” is something today’s technologically advanced fish finders should have no trouble providing. As its name suggests, a fish finder is a device that makes you aware of a fish’s presence. Aside from that, it also offers a lay of the underwater environment in real-time, making it easier to find prime fishing spots.
The most popular fish finders are bound to have easy operation, but make sure to go over certain features that make them best suited to your needs before setting your eyes on a specific model.
What Does It Mean To Choose an “Easy” Fish Finder?
Fish finder selection for beginners tends to involve looking into the following factors:
Fish Finder Types
Regardless of your reason for purchasing a fish finder, it’s essential to make yourself aware of the types available. Design and performance usually set these models apart, which can make a huge difference in beginner fishing excursions.
Fish finders that offer down imaging are among the most expensive types on the market. They can provide the clearest resolution, depending on the frequency. Another option is a side-imaging fish finder that alerts you to the presence of fishes below and along the sides of the vessel with near-perfect accuracy.
It’s worth noting that the standard sonar technology integrated across most devices comes with its limitations. If that’s a deal-breaker, you may consider units that use chirp technology, which tends to work faster and more accurately than sonar.
Each type has pros and cons independent of the other, so think long and hard before making your choice. The presence of a particular perk and the absence of a specific disadvantage could mean the difference between easy and complicated.
Power Transducer
Whatever you’re looking for in a fish finder, the transducer is likely responsible for it. In a chirp transducer, the mechanism is such that sonar waves penetrate deep into the water to provide a near-perfect visual of the area below. Thus, transducer power is essential for ease of use.
A high transducer is primarily dependent on features such as frequency, cone angle, and the like. While most good brands tend to deliver an excellent performance down this end, it never hurts to research to be sure.
Frequency
Frequency plays a significant role in both easy and complex fish finders, though it’s a feature that should especially attune to your fishing ways if you want things to be easy. Suitable frequency tends to mean you’ll have an easier time in the water. The stronger the frequency, the deeper the sonar waves penetrate, providing a clearer picture of the underwater scenario.
A good frequency range is from 50 kHz to 200 kHz. However, it’s worth noting that high frequency isn’t always the best choice. While it may return a higher quality image in shallow water, its lack of depth capacity means the feedback image lacks clarity in deep water.
Hence, a lower frequency may be more suitable for deepwater fishing. It may not return the highest resolution images, but it should be clear enough to let you know what steps to take next.
On the other hand, a dual-frequency option should work best for the all-around angler. With this model, you get the best of both worlds.
Cone Angle
The transducer and cone angle go hand-in-hand. Allow us to elaborate.
The “cone” indicates the width covered by the sound waves. The entire area covered forms what’s known as the cone angle. The larger the angle, the more width and area get covered by the sound waves. It thus follows that a smaller angle reflects less coverage on screen.
Ideally, a fish finder with a 20-degree cone-angle coverage should suit most beginner needs. Then again, a narrower angle would be ideal if you’re looking for depth as opposed to area. So know your cone angle before making a decision.
Size and Display Features
The fish finder’s display screen lets you observe how the features above deliver. So much of the ease of using the device depends a lot on this specific feature. As such, you shouldn’t overlook display specifications no matter what.
Size matters. There are different screen sizes available, so make sure you choose one that lets you view things easily and accurately. Clear visibility is vital for getting accurate readings. However, do note that bigger displays come with higher price tags. Hence, it’s important to ensure that a bigger screen is more practical before choosing a model that comes with one.
So, What’s the Easiest Fish Finder for You?
Most beginner fish finders by good brands should provide some of the easiest models to get the hang of them. After narrowing down your options, see how each performs in the areas discussed and how these align with your specific ways of fishing. That should allow you to find the most suitable fish finder for you.
