Free GPS Guidance
Posts Tagged ‘GPS chartplotters’
We got a call recently from someone wondering whether he would be able to use the existing transducer that came with his boat. That opened a conversation about compatibility. Not all brands of ducers will be compatible with all brands of GPS fishfinder combination. You really want to do your homework on that one to be sure that you have the correct match. Also, his old fishfinder was set into his boat, permanently affixed; and he wanted to be able to drop his new model into the same slot. We did the homework and found the GPS fishfinders that would meet all his criteria. That was an interesting exploration, but we found some great options that would fit perfectly. During that search it brought out the fact that, although some fishfinders will work permanently affixed to the boat, some will actually get much better reception and give you better screen visibility if they are on a swivel mount which gives clearance all around. These are all important things to consider when shopping for a replacement GPS fishfinder combo for your boat to give you the best fishing possible. Happy fishing, and I hope you catch the Big One!
For all you beginning boaters out there, you really might want to consider purchasing a chartplotter for your vessel. Garmin chartplotters like the Garmin GPSMAP series include marine cartography – preloaded with marine mapping software – and have GPS and WAAS capabilities so that you can not only see the rocks and shoals to avoid, but you can plot your best course to your destination. Also, with the use of the GPS/WAAS capabilities you can know with accuracy if you are beginning to venture off course. You can also save each course you plot to make finding your way back to that great getaway or fishing ground a cinch next time you want to return. Marine chart plotters are built rugged to be reliable, and are completely sealed with a waterproof casing, especially built to stand up to use in harsh saltwater environments.
What are Gimbals, and Why do I Need Them?
Gimbals are used in mounting systems, especially for marine vessels, which consist normally of two concentric rings mounted such that their axes are able to pivot at right angles from each other such that one swings freely within the other. They work much like a gyroscope and are used as a mount for equipment such as a compass or other nautical equipment (even stoves, lamps, etc). Gimbals operate in such a manner that objects are permitted to swing freely between them so that the object will remain suspended in a level manner regardless of any motion of their support. Gimbals are commonly used for sea-faring instruments so as to counteract the motion of the vessel.
There are several parts to a gimbal mount. Normally it is made of a set of rings, but sometimes is a ball and socket arrangement, attaching ultimately to a bracket which will support the equipment and another part which will attach to the vessel. In this case, we would use them to attach our GPS fishfinders and/or chartplotters as important and useful marine accessories.
Most marine GPS fish finders and chart plotters either include or need a transducer to work properly. The question comes to mind “What is a transducer and what does it do?” According to Wikipedia a transducer is a device, usually electrical, electronic, electromechanical, electromagnetic, photonic or photovoltaic that converts one type of energy or physical attribute to another for various purposes including measurement or information transfer (for example: pressure sensors).
There are three kinds of transducers. A sensor is used to detect a parameter in one form and report it in another form of energy (usually an electrical or digital signal), such as a tachometer. An actuator is used for the transformation of energy or in other words, it converts electrical signal into generally nonelectrical energy. An example of an actuator is a loudspeaker which converts an electrical signal into a variable magnetic field and, subsequently, into acoustic waves. The third kind of transducer has both functions — for example, typical ultrasonic transducers switch back and forth many times a second between acting as an actuator to produce ultrasonic waves, and acting as a sensor to detect ultrasonic waves.
The bottom line here is that a transducer is what helps the fish finder or chart plotter “find” the fish or the contours of the bottom of the lake, river or other body of water.