PiranhaMAX 170

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

This Humminbird model is what I'll be using in my canayak.
Thanks to Ken Sobanski for his generosity.
I'm mounting it as a through hull, with a puck transducer.
Any tips or tricks would be welcomed.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Heres a little read on the benefits and application of the dual beam concept:

Dual Beam Sonar

Humminbird Dual Beam Sonar gives you the great bottom and structure definition of the single beam, as well as a second, wider 60˚ beam that’s looking specifically for fish. It even tells you which sonar beam the fish are in…the display shows fish in the narrow beam as solid, and fish in the wide beam as an outline.

Benefits: Humminbird Dual Beam Sonar

Dual Beam technology combines the superior bottom definition of a precision narrow beam and fish identification from a wide beam into one easy-to-understand image. With DualBeam, you’ll get:

• Better bottom and structure definition with the narrow beam.
• Greater coverage for Fish Identification with the wide beam.
• More knowledge about fish location - fish in narrow beam are shown as solid fish symbols, fish in wide beam are shown as hollow fish symbols.
• Easy to understand coverage – total coverage for fish is equal to the depth, while bottom coverage is equal to 1/3 the depth (i.e. in 30´of water, you’re seeing an area 10’ wide).
• Choices of transom, trolling motor, inside hull “puck”, portable and thru-hull mounting transducer options.

How Humminbird Dual Beam Sonar Works

Precision 20°@-10db 200kHz down-looking center beam

• Looks for fish and structure below the boat.
• Narrow beam provides depth readings up to 1000’. Depth capability depends on product model.

 Broad 60°@-10db 83kHz wide beam:

• Wider coverage looks for fish outside the narrow beam, but still around the boat.
• Wide beam provides depth capability* up to 1500’ on a 83kHz system, or 2500’+ on a 50kHz system.

Fishing Applications:

• When scouting for fish and structure, using both beams simultaneously lets view bottom and structure with best detail, and view a wider area to keep an eye out for active fish and baitfish around the structure.
• When vertical jigging, the wide beam provides a wider area over which you can monitor your bait presentation on-screen – this is especially helpful in wind and current.
• By comparing wide beam and narrow beam bottom depths on-screen, you can maneuver to keep your boat positioned where the fish hang on drop-offs or on other structure.
• Downrigger users can see their “canon balls” in the wide beam display, plus have the extra wide coverage for scouting for bait fish.

- Courtesy of ebuyer.com

*Your actual product depth capability depends on product model capabilities, transducer installation, water type, thermal layers, bottom composition and slope.

[Leo Nguyen]

That 1/3 range is over stated. We tried to test that, but failed to deliver. 1/5, definitely. 1/4, sure. 1/3..hard to swallow.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Yeah grain of salt.
I'm not looking for absolute definition, just useful data and reasonably accurate representation.
Besides, I wouldn't know how to test it!

[Leo Nguyen]

We use it at the sandy shores, no more than 15ft deep. Tried it in the pools as well, using kids battery operated fish toys, between 5 to 8ft deep.