Thread: sonar coverage

The biggest difference in these 2 choices is the HB 346c DI has two separate 2d (cone shaped) sonar beams and two separate DI (fan shaped) sonar beams..

Whereas the Elite 4x only has two separate 2d (cone shaped) sonar beams...

Beam angles are more difficult to compare apples against apples because brands "measure" their beam angles differently...

HB measures their beam angles at -10db...
Low measures their beam angles at -3db...

All sonar beams (All brands) are strongest at center with "ever-decreasing" strength as they emit outward in their designed beam shape...(that's just how "soundwave theory" works)..

If one measured the beam angles at the very same -"xx"db...they would be within a few degrees of the same...

I would suggest deciding on which sonar "technology" (2d/DI/SI) is going to benenfit your fishing style most and then compare units that offer those chosen sonar technologies (2d/DI/SI)..

Because each technology (2d/DI/SI) has a different sonar beam shape...this makes each, in its own right, good at certain situations but not so good in others...

2d gives a "cartoon like" display image of things under the boat...
DI gives a "picture like" display image of things under the boat and out to the side several feet..
SI gives a "picture like" display image of things under the boat, out to the side 100+ fewer, and which side of the boat...

2d is good for sitting over structure as in vertical jiggin...
DI is good for "passing over" structure to see what the structure looks like...
SI is good for finding new structure out to the sides of the boat...

Rickie