Need some Garmin guidance

apiazza · March 21, 2020, 12:40:02 PM

I'm looking at purchasing a sonar for my kayak. Right now I can see that bass pro has the striker plus 5CV and the echomap plus 63cv for the same price. The echomap is 1 inch bigger screen and uses their lakevu maps. They use the same transducer.

The echomap plus is likely that cheap because the new UHD version is out. So any reason the striker would be better than the echomap?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Princeton_Man · March 21, 2020, 01:50:53 PM

I believe you just listed every reason you need to buy the EchoMap. I love mine.

apiazza · March 21, 2020, 01:55:48 PM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on March 21, 2020, 01:50:53 PM
I believe you just listed every reason you need to buy the EchoMap. I love mine.

That is what I thought the answer was, but wanted to make sure I wasnt missing something.

I actually found west marine had the echomap for $50 less than the striker! $250 for the unit had me sold. Just ordered.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Mike Cork · March 22, 2020, 04:28:39 PM

Let us know what you think when you get it and get some time tinkering

fishin couillon · March 31, 2020, 07:39:01 PM

A little late but for future reference, the Striker units do not have maps and cant use map cards.....the only maps associated with Striker units is the QuickDraw maps which are the ones that you record yourself.

apiazza · April 13, 2020, 12:07:46 PM

For those of you that have used the Echomap. Is there a way that the map tracking essentially deletes each time? I like knowing what my path has been for the day so i can try to track back over good looking areas that i may not have waypointed, but after fishing the same location a time or two, especially in the wind, the map becomes impossible to read because it looks like a 2 year old scribbled all over it. Is there a setting to start new tracking each time you power up the unit? or do I just need to go clear path at the start of each trip?

Princeton_Man · April 13, 2020, 06:38:49 PM

Quote from: apiazza on April 13, 2020, 12:07:46 PM
For those of you that have used the Echomap. Is there a way that the map tracking essentially deletes each time? I like knowing what my path has been for the day so i can try to track back over good looking areas that i may not have waypointed, but after fishing the same location a time or two, especially in the wind, the map becomes impossible to read because it looks like a 2 year old scribbled all over it. Is there a setting to start new tracking each time you power up the unit? or do I just need to go clear path at the start of each trip?

There are some options I've never taken the time to play with. I believe there's an option to loop or keep only the last track.

Deadeye · April 14, 2020, 07:43:29 AM

If you have a SD Card installed you can save a Track by giving it a name then pull it back up later.

I've had mine save a Track then show it on the Current Track but outlined in a different color so you know which is which. However I did it and didn't know I did and really haven't tried to do it again yet.

I use my Contours Mapping to make my own maps on lake that do not show up. It's works great and will continue to refine it each time you go over the same area. You turn this on in the Menu, Nav Chart, Quick Contours, Start Recording.

apiazza · April 14, 2020, 07:58:57 AM

The contour maps is a great feature. I have several reservoirs near me that are perfect for kayaking but arent mapped. I've been running the quick map while there. The bigger lake that is mapped I havent been using it. The lakevu maps seem to be accurate enough to find the structure although the pool level right now is a few feet higher than the maps.

Sounds like for the track I just need to clear the current track before the start of the day. Not a big deal. Or turn it off entirely.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

TNDiver · April 14, 2020, 09:05:26 AM

I was going to ask how the map works with a dammed lake/reservoir. Both lakes that are near me have dams and I guess it picks up in depth from the transducer to make adjustments? Or does it just go off a basic map and you have to make adjustments yourself.

Another question, from a fishing perspective, do your honey holes, whatever, change based on lake levels? I get that shallow water may move a few feet inland, but are they basically the same or does it become a crap shoot?

apiazza · April 14, 2020, 09:14:15 AM

Quote from: TNDiver on April 14, 2020, 09:05:26 AM
I was going to ask how the map works with a dammed lake/reservoir. Both lakes that are near me have dams and I guess it picks up in depth from the transducer to make adjustments? Or does it just go off a basic map and you have to make adjustments yourself.

Another question, from a fishing perspective, do your honey holes, whatever, change based on lake levels? I get that shallow water may move a few feet inland, but are they basically the same or does it become a crap shoot?

The lakevu maps dont know the current water level, it's purely just a gps position on an image (to my knowledge). For your quick draw maps, there is an option to adjust an offset if you know they drained the lake or something significant, otherwise it is continuously building your map when recording so it will make adjustments as you go if they is variability in depth based on ran etc. Now if you do a quick draw map over a lakevu mapped area I'm not sure how the unit responds exactly. I can try next time I'm out and report back. My guess is it just voids the lakevu map, but it might be smart enough to build on it.

Your honey hole is probably dependent on many variable beyond just water level, so there will be some changes to it. I would waypoint it and learn from there based on conditions each time you fish it.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

apiazza · April 30, 2020, 01:48:33 PM

Figured I would update as I've gotten more time with the unit. I really like it, and very happy I bought the Echomap over the Striker. I used the lakevu maps a lot for picking out locations especially early in the spring right now where the water temps are still just above 50 and no one seems to be finding a lot of fish up shallow. I love that I can quickly and easily disconnect the unit from the dock for storage and transportation.

My only dislikes, and this are nit picking are the power draw and no quick toggle between screens.

Between the wifi, Bluetooth, satellite etc I'm drawing a bit more juice than I expected. I'm seeing battery voltage drop of about .1v per hour on my 7Ah SLA battery. Granted it is a cheap battery. When I upgrade kayaks i'll probably upgrade batteries, but for right now the 7Ah fits perfectly through my dry storage opening so I'm sticking with it.

The other is display switching. I spend a decent about of time in a triple split. Nav on the left vertical and the other 2/3 split horizontal with 2d and clearvu. I wish there was a quick 1 button way to toggle to clearvu only or one of my split screens of 2d and clearvu. Maybe there is any i'm just missing it? the only way I know is to hit home and toggle through either combos or sonar select screens.

apiazza · April 30, 2020, 01:50:49 PM

My typical screen layout. I like this bar on the right so it doesnt interfere with seeing the 2d.

Still working on clearvu settings for best image.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Deadeye · April 30, 2020, 06:00:23 PM

You can create your own screen layout as well.

Use the Customize tab.

You can also remove the "numbers tab" if you want to for a bigger viewing area.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Deadeye · April 30, 2020, 06:01:52 PM

If you do a Quick Draw over a LakeVu map you will cover the LakeVu and loose it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

apiazza · April 30, 2020, 06:04:25 PM

Quote from: Deadeye on April 30, 2020, 06:00:23 PM
You can create your own screen layout as well.

Use the Customize tab.

You can also remove the "numbers tab" if you want to for a bigger viewing area.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm good with the customize options. Just wish it was quicker to toggle between them.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Deadeye · April 30, 2020, 06:56:02 PM

Quote from: apiazza on April 30, 2020, 06:04:25 PM
I'm good with the customize options. Just wish it was quicker to toggle between them.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Try the Favorites Screen. Think that's what it's call. Or might be Frequently Used.

Stores the ones you use most often.

The higher dollar units have preset buttons for quick viewing.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk