Transducers
A good transducer is the heart and soul of your fishfinder! Incorporating some of the latest transducer technology, such as alternating or spectrum scanning transmitters or the use of 1000-watt in-hull or transom mount units, will allow incredible depth finder performance.
There are 4 main transducer models available, defined by how they are mounted on your vessel: Thru-Hull, Shoot-thru-hull (most often used for fiberglass hulls), transom-mount (best suited to trailerable size vessels) and portable transducers. The best transducer for you will depend a lot on your budget, boat type, shape and hull material and the fishing conditions it will be used in. Ideally a transducer needs to 'look' directly down and be mounted so that clean, turbulence-free water passes over its face.
Which is the Best Transducer for My Boat?
Hull Material Considerations:
Hull Material | Recommended Transducer Type |
Aluminium Hull (Tinny) | Transom Mount or Plastic Thru Hull |
Wooden Hull | Transom Mount or Bronze Thru Hull |
Fiberglass Hull | Transom Mount, Thru Hull (Bronze or plastic), Shoot Thru Hull/In-Hull |
Transducer Do's and Dont's:
- Plastic housings are recommended for fibreglass or metal hulls only. Never mount a plastic thru-hull housing in a wooden hull since swelling of the wood may overstress the plastic causing it to fracture.
- Bronze housings are recommended for fibreglass or wood hulls only. Never mount a bronze housing in a metal hull as electrolysis will occur.
- Never install a thru-hull transducer & leave the boat in the water unchecked for several days.
- Never use solvents on the transducer's face or the plastic housing.
- Always site the transducer so that external noise is minimised. Possible sources include air bubbles, propellers, generators, other echosounders.
- Transducer surfaces that can be painted must use a water based antifouling.
With the range of transducers available, selection can appear confusing and with the next generation of Lowrance Transducers and Airmar Broadband/CHIRP transducers arriving in-store – the definition will astound you! So speak with the marine electronics
Garmin Airmar SS175L 1kW 20° Depth/ Temp CHIRP Transducer
RRP: $2,599.00
NOW: $2,348.00
Garmin B175L Thru Hull CHIRP 1kW Transducer - 20° Deadrise
RRP: $2,299.00
NOW: $2,091.80
Garmin B175H Thru Hull CHIRP 1kW Transducer - 20° Deadrise
RRP: $1,499.00
NOW: $1,425.00
Garmin DST810 Depth/Speed/Temp Thru-HullTransducer
RRP: $719.00
NOW: $611.00
Garmin Panoptix PS30 Down Transducer
RRP: $2,399.00
NOW: $2,271.50
Garmin B265LH 1kW Thru-Hull Bronze CHIRP Transducer
RRP: $2,449.00
NOW: $1,995.50
Garmin Panoptix PS21 Forward Transducer
RRP: $1,099.00
NOW: $1,067.00
Adapter - 4 Pin Female to 6 Pin Male Transducer Cable
RRP: $29.00
NOW: $28.00
Adapter-6 Pin Female - 8 Pin Male
RRP: $39.00
NOW: $38.00
Garmin 6-Pin Transducer to 8-Pin Sounder Adapter Cable
RRP: $89.00
NOW: $86.00
Garmin Bare Wire Transducer to 12-Pin Sounder Wire Block Adapter
RRP: $119.00
NOW: $116.00
Garmin 8 pin to 12 pin Sounder Adapter Cable
RRP: $39.00
NOW: $38.00
Garmin 12-Pin Transducer Y-Cable
$91.00Garmin 8pin Transducer Extension Cables
From: $85.50
Garmin Transducer Extension Cable - 30ft - 12-Pin
$89.00Garmin Replacement Dual Beam T/M Transducer Bracket
$23.45Garmin Airmar CM599LHW CHIRP Pocket Mounted Transducer
RRP: $6,799.00
NOW: $5,999.00
Garmin LiveScope XR System With GLS 10 and LVS62 Transducer
RRP: $5,399.00
NOW: $5,363.00
Garmin 8 Pin Transducer to 4 Pin Sounder Cable
RRP: $39.00
NOW: $38.00
Garmin Heavy Duty Transom Mount with Spray Shield to suit 4/8/12-pin Transducers
$40.00