I was always trying to figure this out so i made a diagram and decided to share it. I think it is accurate but if someone sees anything wrong please let me know so I can correct it.
Angles.pdf
This is a really good theoretical diagram! In practice the cone isn’t really a cone, but more of a lobbed shape like you can see at the bottom of this page: http://www.raymarine.com/transducers.html#Coneangles. Definitely a good quick guide though! Humminbirds have cone diameter automatically calculated on the Helix units in ice mode, kind of slick.
Agreed Luttes, I just purchased the Garmin Echomap 73cv, they have two ice ducer with two cone angle ranges. I was trying to figure out the depth I typically fish in and what cone angles would best work for my needs. This just helped me visualize it.
Agreed Luttes, I just purchased the Garmin Echomap 73cv, they have two ice ducer with two cone angle ranges. I was trying to figure out the depth I typically fish in and what cone angles would best work for my needs. This just helped me visualize it.
The nice thing about Garmin is CHIRP sonar. It utilizes all the frequencies to give you amazing detail and target separation.
It’s not old school where you just pick 7° or 16°. It automatically uses them all, or you can choose a preset frequency.
The only time I don’t use chirp with my GT10 is fishing less than 10′. I’ll manually set it to 16°/133kHz.
It’s all a breeze with the intuitive touchscreen menus.
You can even enter a custom frequency between the available options below if you want.
IMG_20191120_130319.jpg
I should make one in crayon! BTW, for you sonar heads, there’s a Panoptix ducer sitting at the EP Gander at 50% off.
B-man, H-Bird has chirp-is Garmin’s better?
B-man, H-Bird has chirp-is Garmin’s better?
I’m a Helix owner too, but definitely prefer the Garmin’s 2d detail, ability to add Panoptics, the touchscreen, and Quick Draw Contours in summer (no special chip needed like the Bird’s Zero Lines card).
The ability to flick or pinch the touchscreen to instantly change your zoom area in the column or zoom size range is a huge advantage over Bird’s. You don’t have to go into any menu’s or settings or click buttons. Sensitivity is adjusted just as easy right on the sonar page.
The only thing I like more about the Bird’s is the Lakemaster maps. They are more detailed on 1′ lakes than Garmin and the automatic depth shade relief is more gooder 
That said, Garmin’s stock maps are better than Bird’s stock maps. Garmin now owns Navionics so the mapping should continue to improve and rival the Navionics paid app. (the newest stock maps might already?)
It’s also nationwide or even North American wide (?), no need for a $100 chip for every state. If you fish out-state destinations like Erie, Peck, Oahe, Sakakawea, Lake Michigan, Winnebago, GB, etc Garmin has you covered out of the box.
If you already run Bird’s in the boat I’d say stick with it, they are a nice product. But the Garmin Echomap line is definitely a more refined system when it comes to sonar, more on par with the Solix series with features.
If you ever plan on running I-pilot link, Bird is the obvious choice.
I run Bird’s in my little boat with I-pilot Link (came with them) and Garmin’s in my big water Grady. I chose Garmin because they have better offshore capabilities, kicker/outboard auto-pilot integration (it’s like I-pliot link- but for your kicker or main engine) and better radar (I use a GPSmap series for the xHD radar, Echomaps won’t run it)
I wish I could take the features and capabilities of both brands and make one end-all perfect unit lol
B-Man, I was thinking I would go with the (GT8HW-IF). Because it has a 24-16 degree cone angle and I fish mainly under 40 feet of water. The (GT10HN-IF) has a 8-16 degree cone angle. But, I could be thinking very wrong with that idea! LOL
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