01-12-2012, 07:45 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Before getting my Showdown, I "got by" for years with only "low end" LCD display sonars. Like yourself, about the only thing I cared about was depth, bottom structure and potential fishy signals...and at what depth. And for the most part I used the sonar only to check basic conditions when I first set up...and then rarely even looked at it afterward. And, I have always caught plenty of fish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As others have mentioned, the LCD displays on "regular" sonars are affected by extreme cold. Some more than others. The cold slows down the speed of the display and they may even freeze up completely. End of sonar.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One tactic I employed was turning on the sonar and activating the internal backlight function before going out on the ice...and then leaving the unit running all the time. Only a small amount of heat but enough to help speed up the LCD display a bit. In EXTREME cold conditions even that will not be enough to save the unit.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Another trick is to keep your display unit inside an insulated cooler whenever you are not using it...and to keep a handwarmer in with it to keep it warm.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are other arguments back and forth as to the relative merits of flasher vs LCD display. While some higher wattage LCD units will show your jig, in real time display, many will not. That is one plus in favor of flashers. REAL TIME and being able to watch your jig and the reactions of the fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Those who lean toward LCD units like to have a continuous readout of the fish that pass through the transducer beam on a continuing basis. On a flasher a fish can zip by and you will not know it if you do not have your eyes glued to the screen.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As we often advise when this topic comes up (over and over and over)...try to get on the ice with someone who has different sonar units before you make your final buying decision. See how they work...or don't work. Then be realistic about what features and functions are meaningful to you.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Better to spend a little more than you wanted than not quite enough.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As others have mentioned, the LCD displays on "regular" sonars are affected by extreme cold. Some more than others. The cold slows down the speed of the display and they may even freeze up completely. End of sonar.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One tactic I employed was turning on the sonar and activating the internal backlight function before going out on the ice...and then leaving the unit running all the time. Only a small amount of heat but enough to help speed up the LCD display a bit. In EXTREME cold conditions even that will not be enough to save the unit.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Another trick is to keep your display unit inside an insulated cooler whenever you are not using it...and to keep a handwarmer in with it to keep it warm.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are other arguments back and forth as to the relative merits of flasher vs LCD display. While some higher wattage LCD units will show your jig, in real time display, many will not. That is one plus in favor of flashers. REAL TIME and being able to watch your jig and the reactions of the fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Those who lean toward LCD units like to have a continuous readout of the fish that pass through the transducer beam on a continuing basis. On a flasher a fish can zip by and you will not know it if you do not have your eyes glued to the screen.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As we often advise when this topic comes up (over and over and over)...try to get on the ice with someone who has different sonar units before you make your final buying decision. See how they work...or don't work. Then be realistic about what features and functions are meaningful to you.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Better to spend a little more than you wanted than not quite enough.[/#0000ff]
[signature]