Depth Sounder/ Fish Finder Advice

[Midnightsun]

I changed most of my electronics last year with the exception of my depth sounder. As of last weekend it is almost dead. I say almost because it sometimes say no sounder found or it shows it there but no depth reading or for a very limited tine I get a reading. Will try resetting all the connectors but fear the unit is slowly dying. Before I changed electronics it was very finicky and after seemed to work as advertised however started acting up again. Existing unit is a legacy DSM300 sounder and a P319 Transducer both of which are discontinued.

Not that I really need a fish finder but the newer chirp stuff does seem to give a pretty nice view of the bottom. Looking to purchase a cp100 sounder http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=8069 combined with a CPT-110 transducer.

That being said I will not install until end of season haul out as I do need to drill the hull for transducer installation unless I can work out a deal with my haul out guy such as pull her out a few feet, I drill and install and plop her back in.

Any comments suggestions appreciated before I plop down another $700.

[Midnightsun]

Well it turns out it was just a bad connection. The connector which plugs into the sounder module from the sounders to be exact. Everything is up and running now. Hopefully for good and if not, I know where the problem lies.

[pepmyster]

Glad to hear it was such an easy fix!!!!!!!

[lewistodd]

I am using this for a helix seven mounted on predator 13 (Kayak). It works great, it was made for the helix 7, so there was no having to figure out a mounting solution as I did with much other stuff on my kayak. This thing, like all RAM Mounts, hold what you need to save and do it well. It's made out of metal, looks to be a 1/4 20 bolt attached to the tension knob. It's pretty hefty, which is good because I don't want my fish finder anywhere other than in my boat.

The mount is easy and quick to install or remove before or after use. On the water, the mount holds the unit very rigidly, i.e., it does not shake or shift when on-plane or in rough waters because of the rubber ball. http://fishvantage.com With that, you do not need to tighten the clamp as much as you may think for it not to move. So far, driving 75-plus miles per hour or cutting three-foot rollers has not shifted or slipped the mounted unit.

I've used several RAM Mounts over the years, and they continue to perform well for me. Even if you don't NEED it, I'd recommend getting one for the ability to fine-tune your viewing angle. Also, you will get aware of the fishfinder and how it works.