Livescope LVS34-IF Transducer Review

I was lucky enough to find an LVS34 Transducer on release day last year and its awesome! It’s basically a 25-30% improvement across the board vs the older LVS32.

BUT

Because this was a normal LVS34 that meant that it didnt have the silicone based cable for cold climates.

Quick backstory, several years ago my older design 2 cable LVS32 began splitting at the transducer head exposing the wires inside. A quick call to Garmin resulted in them sending me a free warranty replacement. To my surprise the new transducer that showed up was the latest LVS32-IF model they recently released! This new rubbery silicone infused single cable design works much better in the cold as the cable doesn’t get stiff anymore. So once Garmin released the LVS34-IF I knew I was going to replace my original LVS34.

Back to the LVS34-IF, imo the original LVS34 cable material is much more “plasticky” than their previous models and I found it to get very tough to handle after its been out in the cold (ice fishing) for awhile…(I found it difficult to wrap it back up in the cradle when done fishing for the day) Now the LVS34-IF doesn’t have that problem due to the “rubberized” silicone infused cable, its still very pliable in the cold. The best way I could describe the new cable is to squeeze the mouthpiece of a Camelback water bottle.

I’ve heard rumors about the head casing perhaps being different (better insulation for colder environments) but I dont have anyway to verify that claim.

The LVS34-IF still has a 20’ cable (wish it was only 10’) and the cable is 3/8 thick.

So should you get a LVS34 or a LVS34-IF?

If you ice fish alot outside vs inside a heated fish house I would say to get the LVS34-IF. If you attach your Livescope ducer to your boat’s trolling motor shaft in the summer, i’d stick with the original LVS34 as the cable material is a bit more protective when exposed (keep in mind no cable is going to survive getting caught in a trolling motor stow bracket)

I’ve owned every iteration of the Livescope transducer, and the way I use my Livescope (Always in the Garmin bundle case Summer or Winter) the “Ice Fishing” version works best for me.

Let me know if you have any questions…

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I’d suggest 34-IF. In the summer, wrap the first few feet in this… Best of both worlds. With the wrap, the cord can survive the dreaded scissoring in the TM bracket. Don’t ask me how I know these things…

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Good advice gentlemen. This is why I like IDO. I can learn what I need to know. Wanting some kind of live tech soon.

Just what I was looking for ! I run the Fishing Specialties pole with the 32 IF right now . Looking to add another unit the new 34 . Primarily will be fishing again with the Fishing Specialties pole . The cable is run through the inside of the pole , so that portion is protected. The portion that comes out the top to head unit is what gets moved around a lot. As it stands now will I regret not getting the IF even though I’m not wrapping the cable back onto the cradle ? When I looked up the operating temps they both said 14 degrees to 104 ? That was looking at the Garmin manuals Could have sworn a while back I seen numbers that were different between the 2 ? Anyway I’m at a crossroad . Thanks Joe