A year on the water with the forward-facing finder innovation left rather an impression on our customer. Fishfinder technology has lept forward at an excessive rate, advancing dramatically since the introduction of the old Humminbird Super Sixty flasher in the early 1970s. This clunky, swirling dervish of a gizmo was the crudest of electronics, burdened by all sorts of restrictions as well as shortcomings. Nonetheless, at the time, top bass angling experts considered it the essential fish-finding "machine". Today, there is an excess of sophisticated electronic devices designed with expertise to assist fishermen in their adventures,ultimately finding more fish. Over the past year, we have actually been running a Garmin LiveScope with our customers to review the latest-and-greatest in fishing devices. These are our customers impressions after an extended on-the-water evaluation.
Garmin LiveScope innovation was first presented at ICAST 2018, winning the best of Show and Best of Electronics accolate. (Photo below by Scott Bernarde).
THE CONFIGURATION. Garmin presented their LiveScope innovation in 2018 at the ICAST Program (the annual angling sector trade convention), winning both Ideal of Show and also Best of Electronics awards. Since then, it has actually set the cumulative angling world on its ear. The modern technology has actually been defined by lots of users and also casual observers as "online video." While this is not technically correct, it does explain the capacities of the LiveScope system. Setting up with a Garmin EchoMap Ultra 106SV mounted on the bow with a LiveScope Transducer System. The Garmin EchoMap finder transducer is mounted rearward on the transom with the LiveScope transducer mounted to the trolling motor shaft utilizing a Garmin LiveScope Perspective Mode Mount brace. The LiveScope transducer may be placed anywhere, however, but in this intance the we chose to install the LiveScope transducer on the trolling motor shaft perhaps the most effective setting for "looking" (in real time) anywhere you can point the trolling motor and also transducer. This is done by simply rotating the trolling motor and "intending" the transducer where you 'd like to "see." To the uninitiated, you can consider the LiveScope as a finder variation of a submarine periscope but inverted to electronically see under the water.
IN THE SHALLOWS I have spent a lot of time using the Garmin LiveScope item on the water over the past year. Admittedly, I was a cynic when I initially heard some of the wild claims by users around the technology. Never one to jump on the bandwagon without research, I wanted to offer the innovation some time to grow before giving my expert view. Most of the videos on-line promoting the Garmin's LiveScope capabilities concentrate on going after open-water lure rounds or on deep rock piles and structure. But we tested on shallow shell bars, in weed beds, on river cutbanks etc. So, my "very shallow" water application tested the device's ability to locate fishable framework and also fish not usually talked about when assessing the Garmin forward facing sonar technology
CONVENTIONAL SHALLOW APPLICATIONS. Over the years, I have found that conventional down-imaging sonar systems are of little-to-no usage in superficial applications. in Part, this is due to the fact that the water depth does not allow adequate physical distance for the signal to expand any type of much. Because of this, what you see on the screen in really shallow water (10 feet or much less) is a slim, restricted depiction of the bottom (i.e., a small sonar "piece"). While down imaging is excellent for reporting shallow-water midsts, its capability to locate fish below is almost absolutely no. Side-imaging modern technologies also have their downsides in shallow water for much of the very same reasons. Fishing shallow water practically specifically, Chosing to place the LiveScope transducer on the trolling motor shaft using the optional Garmin Perspective Setting Mount - This bracket permits the customer to physically rotate the transducer onto its side, providing a horizontal slice (sight) of the water dealing with forward, unlike the typical upright slice the conventional mount offers.
WHAT YOU SEE. Admittedly, the Garmin LiveScope opened up an entire brand-new underwater world for me. The capacity to "fire" the sonar beam in any direction the trolling motor can turn and also obtain a real-time view on the display is invaluable. Before making use of the Garmin, my capability see underwater was restricted to the apparently fixed finder sights in down imaging and side-imaging settings. The LiveScope permits the customer to look around their boat in real-time, as well as in fact watch fish relocating and also around framework as well as cover. Actually, it has adequate information to view your lure moving in the water column in numerous instances (this depends on the lure's reflective profile) as well as cast to individual fish which appear onscreen. Another significant advantage of the LiveScope over down or side imaging is you can use the trolling motor to actively search for targets. Say goodbye to needing to run windows with your boat ) to locate fishable structure. The unit has an ahead range of 200 feet. Now, with that being said, the ability to connect to these ranges hinges on the water deepness. The much deeper the water, the additionally the light beam can take a trip and also the more robust your field of vision. Nevertheless, also in the shallowest of water, there is sufficient reach ahead to get a good indicator of what exists in ahead. The operation of the LiveScope in forward-sonar mode is straightforward. The display screen is adjustable for various applications (think water midsts). Once I dialed-in the device, I hardly ever adjusted the changes. There is an auto-mode, yet I found it performed much better with a few small tweaks (such as; gain,screen brightness, sensitivity, and so on) in manual mode.
THE QUESTION REMAINS - IS THIS TECHNOLOGY WORTH THE OUTLAY? Majority Rules - the definative answer is “yes.” The LiveScope allows you to find fish other tradition sonar units simply cannot. The LiveScope gives you the ability to simmply look around under the water in real-time.
This attribute substantially minimizes the amount of time you spend looking for fish. For competition anglers the value of this can not be overstated. Furthermore, it aids you not only locate fish, yet it additionally aids you locate energetic fish. The ability to view what fish are doing in real-time exposes if they are active or non-active. This can save you actually hrs of fishing for fish you've found on standard finder but can not coax into biting. And also as any tournament fishermen, or weekend break warrior for that matter understands- time on the water is cash.
SUMMING IT UP. Technology is an amazing thing. Only a few short years ago most would certainly have never imagined having the ability to enjoy fish swimming around on a sonar screen. I firmly believe these technical developments in the fishing world can match what Garmin has actually achieved with its LiveScope. The development of the capacity to evaluate the underwater world as well as fish in real-time is very useful to fishermen everywhere. Similar to any kind of innovation, there is a cost. Nevertheless, for those that demand the most recent in innovation as well as usability, the Garmin LiveScope is an important property that will assist you locate more fish. For tournament anglers, the capability to locate, keep track of and afterwards catch bass in real-time is currently a need to stay competitive. After angling my Garmin LiveScope System for a year currently, I can say readily that it will certainly make you a much better fisherman and let you find much more fish. Furthermore, for those of you that fish superficial water, I can not suggest the Perspective Setting Bracket sufficient. It is a godsend, permitting you to probe water formerly not available with various other sonar systems. For the brand-new year Garmin has introduced a Garmin LiveScope boosted LiveScope model with their LiveScope Plus System. The most up to date addition to Garmin's live-scanning finder lineup provides 35% far better target separation over the existing system. Furthermore, the new design has sharper resolution, minimized noise for Garmin's clearest photos. This makes it less complicated than ever to see structure, lure as well as fish around the watercraft in real time, also while stationary.
The LiveScope Plus operates in 3 settings: forward, down and also perspective. The LiveScope And also System now includes the prominent Perspective Setting Mount as standard devices.
Let's get down to the numbers. Undoubtedly, this technology comes with a cost.
The Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 105sv combo carries an RRP of around $3,500.00. Our pick of the bunch because it is an extremely effective unit, with premium functions, like the huge viewing screen (10 inches) as well as touch display functionality.
The LiveScope System can be picked up for about $1,849.00. Undoubtedly you can get into a system less costly as the EchoMap Ultra 106sv is a premium, high-definition finder and also GPS.
The EchoMap UHD 93sv, for instance, retails for $999.00 and also works with the LiveScope System.
Shotgun Marine offer bundle prices on the LiveScope are proud to be authorised Garmin Dealers and installers. Contact us for product and pricing or expert technical advice.