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.
Garmin TM275LH-W 1kw Depth/ Temp CHIRP
RRP: $3,199.00
NOW: $2,800.00
Furuno TM185H-W T/M Transducer - inc temp & 10pin black plug
$2,178.00Lowrance Simrad LiveSight Transducer With Mounts
RRP: $1,699.01
NOW: $1,673.00
Furuno TM185M T/M Transducer - inc temp & 10pin black plug
$1,815.00Furuno 525T-PWD 600w T/M Biducer - Airmar P66 & Bracket
$249.00Furuno Airmar Transducers
From: $249.00
Garmin Transducers
From: RRP $149.00
$132.50
Humminbird XD Transducer
RRP: $409.90
NOW: $373.00
Lowrance Transducers
From: RRP $185.99
$179.00
TM260 1KW Transom Mount Transducer
From: RRP $1,629.00
$1,525.00
Airmar TM165H-W Wide Beam 600W Transom Mount
From: RRP $847.00
$790.00
Furuno TM165H-W Wide Beam 600W T/M Chirp Transducer
RRP: $847.00
NOW: $819.00
Humminbird Bronze Thru Hull Dual Beam Transducer
RRP: $1,399.00
NOW: $1,263.00
Humminbird Plastic Thru Hull Transducer - Dual Beam
RRP: $409.90
NOW: $373.00
B164 1kW Tilted Element Transducer
From: RRP $1,499.00
$1,469.00
B175 Chirp Single Frequency Thru Hull Transducers
RRP: $1,999.00
NOW: $1,760.00
B60 600W Tilted Thru Hull Transducer
From: $455.00
B75 CHIRP Single Frequency Thru Hull Transducers
From: RRP $849.00
$796.00
Furuno SS264 Transducer
From: RRP $2,420.00
$2,362.00
Furuno SS-60 Stainless Steel Thru Hull Transducer
From: $715.00