It's threads like this that make <pnwflyfishing.com> so damn valuable. Thanks everyone!!
Garmin Striker Questions
- Thread starter Robert Engleheart
- Start date
Hi,
I use the Scotty tools to attach it to my pontoon boat. It took a while to figure it out as you are right, Garmin does not give any hints.
I use the transducer holder and the locking bases on my frame. I have one for the transducer on the rear rail and one for the readout head near on the frame rail. I bought the Garmin kit that has a black bag (and mounting for hard surfaces). I clip the bag into the plastic bin aft of my seat. On the water, it sits in the bottom of the bin. In the photo, it is on top of all the pontoon parts I keep in the storage bin. I keep the battery in the bag. The power cable to the readout is shorter than I would like. I like the locking Scotty gbases because you have to push the button to release. No accidentally rotating and falling overboard. I also wanted to use the mounts and not the under the tube straps because the straps add drag and I am slow enough already.
The photo shows where the head mounts near my leg on the inside of the frame and the mount for the transducer.
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I’m looking at this setup from fishfindermounts for my drift boat. The mounting arm for the ‘ducer travels vertically in the clamp and there’s also a hinge mechanism to tilt it out of the water.
And then a friend...let's just call him Billy can swap out a side scan system when he goes with and we can dominate Dry Falls like never before
Definitely gotta roll up bumping the Wu Tang Clan that morning.
Are you sure it's the Garmin & not the Hummingbird? I'm just curious if you've measured any other way...mostly because I have the Garmin and this would be good information to have, especially since this is the first I've heard of such a thing.
The Garmin should be very accurate as well. Something is off. How do you have your transducer set up and on what watercraft?
It is on my 14' aluminum boat. I have down riggers on the boat and checked the depth by lowering the down riggers until I hit bottom in about 100 feet of water. I'm using the electric trolling motor mount for the transducer. Instead of mounting it on my trolling motor I have it mounted on an L- shaped rectangular rod that I clamp to the transom. It sounds funky but I want to avoid drilling holes in my boat. I used the exact same setup with my Hummingbird and it was always very accurate.
Understood. Few more questions? Is the depth only off when the boat is under power? Does it give shallow readings ok and struggles with deeper?
Does it have its own battery or how do you have it wired?
If all else fails have you tried a factory reset? You may have accidentally set some settings wonky....I'm wondering if you put a manual range on it.
Good choice.
Is the transducer parallel with the water surface?
Even a slight cant forward or backwards can cause inaccurate readings.
How does it read in 15 or 20 feet of water.
Downrigger counters are not always 100% accurate either.
You could anchor in fairly shallow water say 15' or 20'. Measure the depth with a tape measure or a known length of cord.
Compare the known depth to the depth on the Garmin.
Then go to the keel offset function and adjust with the plus or minus button to match the unit depth reading to your actual known depth.
It may be that the keel offset has a inaccurate setting currently causing the discrepancy your're seeing.
You tube is your friend when learning the in's and outs of setting up and understanding the functions on the unit.
I hope this helps. If not contact Garmin support at 913-397-0872. I've used their support service a few times and had great results.
Or do what @Billy said.
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Thanks for the good advice. I will see if that helps. I don't think it is the down rigger counter that's off. I have two of them, different brands and they both read similar depths. I believe that the transducer is reasonably parallel to the water. Its the exact same setup I used with my old sounder and it always worked well. I'll try the keel offset next time I have it on the water.
BigSplashTom
Steelhead
That is most excellent.
MacGyver is alive and well.
BigSplashTom
Steelhead
I built my own mount for the 9ft CDC pontoon using 1/2 inch PVC.
Built a battery box that simply drops over the back bar.
Takes me about 30 seconds to set it up.
18Ah LiFePO4 battery in the box means I can fish 4 days without recharging.
Ronbow solved the multiplatform issue. Kudos Ronbow that is a tough issue to solve without purchasing additional equipment.
Built a battery box that simply drops over the back bar.
Takes me about 30 seconds to set it up.
18Ah LiFePO4 battery in the box means I can fish 4 days without recharging.
Ronbow solved the multiplatform issue. Kudos Ronbow that is a tough issue to solve without purchasing additional equipment.
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On my Outcast PAC800 I used the Ram mount for the head unit & a bicycle kick stand for the transducer. The transducer stays out of the way during transport & launching. For power the battery goes in the side bag.
https://rammount.com/products/ram-b-202u
https://rammount.com/products/rap-b-201u-a#
https://rammount.com/products/rap-b-400u#
https://marcumtech.com/product/brute_kit/
https://rammount.com/products/ram-b-202u
https://rammount.com/products/rap-b-201u-a#
https://rammount.com/products/rap-b-400u#
https://marcumtech.com/product/brute_kit/
Fourbtgait
Steelhead
I like the kick stand idea
BriGuy
Life of the Party
The kickstand is absolutely genius! Another great thing about it is that if you forget to raise your transducer when you beach the pontoon, the kickstand should retract as you "hit" shore.
wicked genius!
Cowlitz Bottomfeeder
Life of the Party
Used the conical mount from my defunct Fishing Buddy II and a piece of foam pipe insulation to fill the hole. A foot long section of 1/2” aluminum hang glider tubing fit firmly inside the foam and adjusts up and down. A glue on Scotty pad and removable mount attach to the conical mount.
