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From: Al Thomason (no email)
Date: Tue Mar 13 2007 - 21:43:46 EDT
I have installed the Probe forward scan finder, and been using it for about 3 years now.
Some things I do not like are in the design: e.g.: There is no way to dim the display for night mode. And the 'NEMA' function on it is input only. For some reason you can use it as a kind of 'really poor chart plotter' when connected to a GPS, but there is no way for the unit to broadcast the depth.
Understand newer units have addressed most, if not all, of these limitations.
In using the unit it has worked without fail and I always have it running.
One key thing you need to be aware of is it will only scan forward about 3-4x the current depth. e.g., if you are in 10' of water, you will be able to see forward maybe 30-40'. Also it will not do well scanning up to the surface, e.g. a floating log.
It does give a trend of the bottom; one just needs to make sure the boat speed matches the range. In river usage, at my typical cruise speed of around 7 kts, and in a channel depth of 40+ ', it will show me when the water ahead is trending up. If I am inching in 6' of water or so at dead slow, it is not as usable, but can show a trend maybe 10' in front of the transducer.
In the end, I find it useful and would install one again.
-al-
----- Original Message -----
From: Larry McNeil
To:
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 8:16 PM
Subject: [world-cruising] Question on Forward Scan Depth Finders
If I am on the wrong list, please let me know - but I would like to
obtain a first hand product review on either or both of the
following "Forward Scan Depth Sounders" There is one built by a
company called interphase in several models and another by Echo Pilot.
Has anyone had first hand experience with these? They seem very
attractive, especially for those of us who cruise rivers and such where
the visibility underwater is low and the channel can be shallow and
narrow. I once used the echo pilot and absolutely loved the
functionality. However, the maintenance folks at the TMM base in
tortola (it was a charter boat) were very much less than impressed. I
was not able to find out if it was a function issue or perhaps
maintenance. Now, I am outfitting my own boat, and think hard on the
depth sounder as I WILL be doing rivers and narrower channels. Any one
have thoughts?
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