SourceFish finders have come a long way in recent years. This type of gadget is one of the most commonly utilized by anglers these days. Despite some fishers saying that they still prefer their angling experience to be as untainted by technology as possible, the fact of the matter is that these gadgets can make all the difference when it comes to someone’s fishing success.
But a decade ago, these devices hardly existed. Their interface was anything but easy to use, they had poor displays, and they didn’t do all that well in terms of actual fish discovery. So, what has changed?
On the one hand, most manufacturing brands have finally realized that not all fishers like the typical fish arch display boasted by outdated models. For a beginning angler, telling what the actual fish are and where they are located can be more than a daunting task, especially with these ancient devices.
Secondly, the many technological advances that have happened in the past decade or so have enabled these companies to create their products so as to really speak to the needs of anglers. What this means is that portable fish finders are actually portable, and they have a compact and lightweight design, but they don’t do poorly when it comes to performance and the number of features they come with.
While dual and multi-frequency devices were more or less popular several years ago, nowadays people prefer transducers that have a more extensive range. What’s more, even the display of a fish finder has changed greatly. Almost nobody uses a unit with a grayscale or black and white screen these days. Not that they’re not good at what they’re supposed to, it’s just that they present the underwater environment in a less realistic manner.
Another feature that you might have failed to find in a fish finder back in the day is Bluetooth or Wireless. Of course, given that the device practically worked all on its own, this addition wouldn’t have been necessary. But nowadays, manufacturers have started to understand that maybe fishers would like to use their own mobile devices with their fish finders.
And that’s how highly portable, wireless–enabled fish finders came to be. In a nutshell, with these choices, all you’ll get is the transducer. You then have to download and install an app on your smartphone or tablet and then start using the transducer along with it.
This particular feature can mean the world for someone who doesn’t like small screens, or for a kayak fisher who has nothing against using his own cell phone while in the boat. Just make sure to get a waterproof cover for your cell to make sure the occasional splash doesn’t ruin it.
In terms of costs, the price of fish finders hasn’t changed all that much over the years. High-end models such as the new and improved Deeper will cost a pretty penny and will probably call for an investment of at least two hundred dollars.
But get this. These high-end units even boast flasher modes, so they can be utilized for ice fishing, too. To sum up, the sky’s the limit when it comes to how these devices have changed and are still going to change. Just remember, the best fish finder is the one that best suits your requirements.
