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 experts at CH Smith Marine. With over 50 years of fishfinder experience, we'll help you find the best transducer that suits your new fishfinder, or help re-invigorate your old fish finder.
Lowrance/Simrad TM275LH-W CHIRP Transducer
RRP: $2,769.00
NOW: $2,493.00
Lowrance/Simrad TM260 1kw T/M Xsonic Transducer - inc. 10m cable, bracket & 9pin plug
RRP: $1,629.00
NOW: $1,525.00
Simrad Lowrance TM165H-W Wide Beam 600W T/M xSonic Transducer
RRP: $886.99
NOW: $790.00
Simrad xSonic SS60 Stainless Steel 50/200kHz Thru Hull Transducer - 20°
RRP: $569.00
NOW: $533.00
Humminbird Helix XNT 9 HW T Dual Spectrum CHIRP Transom Transducer
RRP: $329.90
NOW: $285.50
Airmar P66 Mounting Bracket
RRP: $55.00
NOW: $53.00
Transducer Spray Deflector
RRP: $40.90
NOW: $38.05
StructureScan HD LSS-2 Stainless Steel Thru Hull Transducer inc Fairing
RRP: $1,999.00
NOW: $1,879.00
Garmin GT22HW-TM CHIRP Transom or Trolling Mount Transducer
RRP: $289.00
NOW: $283.50
Humminbird High Definition Side Image Transom Mount Transducer
RRP: $919.00
NOW: $863.50
Humminbird Transom TR HD SI 200/50/455/800khz ION ONX
RRP: $1,239.00
NOW: $987.00
Humminbird XNT 9 SI 180 T Transom Transducer
RRP: $689.00
NOW: $640.00
Humminbird 360 Degrees Imaging Transducer
RRP: $3,079.00
NOW: $2,874.50
Humminbird XNT9 HW MDI 75 T Helix MEGA DI Transom Transducer
RRP: $719.00
NOW: $690.50
Humminbird XM 9 HW MDI T Helix MEGA DI+ Transom Transducer
RRP: $899.00
NOW: $863.50
Humminbird Thru Hull Mega+ SI HW MSI G3 Transducer
RRP: $1,519.00
NOW: $1,444.00
Humminbird XM 14 20 MSI T Solix MEGA SI/DI Transom Transducer
RRP: $1,389.00
NOW: $1,277.40
Raymarine RV-212 Realvision 3D Thru-Hull Transducers
RRP: $3,759.00
NOW: $3,652.00
Humminbird XNT 9 20T Transducer
RRP: $399.90
NOW: $366.50
Humminbird Transom 200/50kHz ION ONX
RRP: $439.90
NOW: $392.50