04-12-2003, 10:42 PM
[cool]I have had a stready procession of the low end Eagle products, which have all ticketed out around a $100. I have never worn one out, in spite of a lot heavier use and abuse than most anglers would give them. Typically, I use them for a year or two and then pick up "new and improved".
From what I have gleaned from the websites and reviews so far, the Cuda is ideal for tubing use. It has good grayline, for separating fish from the bottom. It has up to 60 degree cone angle, which is great for shallow water tubing...and I seldom fish in over twenty feet of water. I also like the idea of the temp guage built into the transducer. This is their first "low end" model that includes that. Now I can do away with my $4 swimming pool thermometer hanging off my craft.
At 800 Watts "peak to peak" power, it will not show your jigs below your craft, in real time (jig time), but it will not eat up batteries either. To run a high end super sonar you would need to carry out a heavy marine battery. I simply slip a 6.5 Amp sealed lead acid (SLA) battery in the back of my side pocket and I'm good to go...for a very long day.
They say we tend to like what we are used to. That's probably true. But I started with flashers and have tried several other pricier systems before deciding I liked the Eagle best. I will put it through its paces when I get it set up, and will post pics of the installation along with a review.
PS...once you get used to using sonar on your donut, you'll never leave home without it. On the few occasions I have had to leave my gear behind, and fish without sonar, it was like fishing blind. In the good old days I was pretty good at prospecting and bottom bouncing...and I learned a lot about fishing new waters as well as returning to good spots on known waters. But, once I could see what I thought I knew, and could eliminate unproductive water...to concentrate on higher potential water...my results and enjoyment increased dramatically.
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From what I have gleaned from the websites and reviews so far, the Cuda is ideal for tubing use. It has good grayline, for separating fish from the bottom. It has up to 60 degree cone angle, which is great for shallow water tubing...and I seldom fish in over twenty feet of water. I also like the idea of the temp guage built into the transducer. This is their first "low end" model that includes that. Now I can do away with my $4 swimming pool thermometer hanging off my craft.
At 800 Watts "peak to peak" power, it will not show your jigs below your craft, in real time (jig time), but it will not eat up batteries either. To run a high end super sonar you would need to carry out a heavy marine battery. I simply slip a 6.5 Amp sealed lead acid (SLA) battery in the back of my side pocket and I'm good to go...for a very long day.
They say we tend to like what we are used to. That's probably true. But I started with flashers and have tried several other pricier systems before deciding I liked the Eagle best. I will put it through its paces when I get it set up, and will post pics of the installation along with a review.
PS...once you get used to using sonar on your donut, you'll never leave home without it. On the few occasions I have had to leave my gear behind, and fish without sonar, it was like fishing blind. In the good old days I was pretty good at prospecting and bottom bouncing...and I learned a lot about fishing new waters as well as returning to good spots on known waters. But, once I could see what I thought I knew, and could eliminate unproductive water...to concentrate on higher potential water...my results and enjoyment increased dramatically.
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