Hobbies And Interests
Power
Measured in wattage, a fishfinder's sonar transmitter strength determines not only the water depth it can read but also how quickly it can return results. Low wattage translates into limited depth and sluggish response times. While 800 watts serves as a bare minimum for quality fishfinders, serious saltwater anglers will want 3000 watts or more to plumb ocean depths.
Transducer
The transducer is the part of the transmitter that sends out and receives the underwater sound waves. A transducer's key feature is cone angle, which dictates the width of the coverage area. Cone angles may range anywhere from 10 degrees to 60 degrees, although 20 degrees will suffice if fishing a variety of water depths. Keep in mind, wider cone angles produce less sensitive sonar when searching deep water. A smaller cone angle produces a tighter, more powerful signal. Top transducers also feature two or more beams, enabling the fishfinder to cover more water in multiple directions at once.
Screen
Fishfinders present their data on digital display screens, transforming the sonar results into charts, graphs, and near-photo quality images. The best saltwater fishfinders have screens between 4 and 7 inches in size, when measured diagonally. You will also want the highest resolution you can afford, with 240 X 240 being a good starting point, because more pixels mean greater detail and information that's easier to read. A color display has become all but standard, with color-coding used to identify fish and other underwater landmarks. The best fishfinders also offer high-definition screens for the ultimate visual experience.
Options
Aside from locating fish, top saltwater fishfinders will offer additional features like monitoring water conditions, current speed and distance traveled. Such features can help you recreate a successful run when trolling or drift fishing. A temperature gauge can also help target specific fish that prefer warmer or cooler waters. Finally, built-in GPS provides an excellent safety feature for saltwater fishing, as it can help you find shore or relay your precise location to authorities during an emergency,