Transducers are used in so many different industries but in this article, we are focusing on its applications in marine environments. This equipment can measure the depth and temperature of water which is indispensable for fishermen. It is essentially an electrical sensor.
There are also different types of marine transducers and there are several brands on the market as well. One such example is the Garmin transducer that comes with sunlight readable keyed assist touchscreens, preloaded maps, built in Wi-Fi, contour mapping software etc. The information from the transducer is generally transferred to a fish finder. The frequencies of different transducers will vary. Transducers that have lower frequencies will have a higher penetrating power but with high frequencies, you will be able to get more details and high resolution images. You can use high frequencies in shallow water as it will show more detail on the bottom. But if you are in deep water, you will be able to get an image that covers a large area of the bottom.
There are certain specifications you need to consider when it comes to selecting a transducer. When the transducer is properly mounted, there should be a vertical beam that will go straight down to the bottom. This is what ensures that a strong and accurate echo is returned to the boat. You will get inaccurate readings when it is not mounted straight down. It will also affect the image quality of the fish finder. If you want to measure depth, speed and temperature of water, it is best to go with a tri-ducer which is a triple transducer. The device will have three transducers within.
Some of the different transducers you will come across are in-hull, thru-hull and transom mount transduces. A transom transducer is an external transducer that is installed onto the transom of the boat. This will be located lower than the bottom of the hull. They are very easy to install. But as the transducer is completely submerged, they are exposed to drag and you will find that sometimes there is some difficulty with operation when the boat is travelling at high speed. But there is no limitation to the hull material when choosing a transom transducer.
The location of the transducer will be affected by the number of engines on the boat as well. In-hull transducers are internally mounted and this way, the external surface of the boat can be clean. This will be improving the issue of drag and the transducer is better protected as well. You can easily remove the transducer when it requires repairs without having to take the boat out of water. But you will only be able to use this transducer with specific types of hulls.
If you have a wooden or metal hull, this will not be an option for you. It is best suited for boats that have a fibreglass bottom. Thru hull transducers have a high level of accuracy and performance as the transducer is facing the water? You can use this in any type of boat and the material of the hull will not matter in the selection of the transducer.