Thread: Structure Scan Questions

Originally Posted by huntnfishnguy2014

I wanna say I was switching between the 455 and 800 while scanning and the clarity really went to crap when I punched in the 455. Of course I am sure a ton of other factors were playing in that day as well. Like I said in the previous post...I still have a ton to learn on these things as far as tweaking them.

Correct ... The "other factors" are important also ...

There are "trade offs" in all aspects sonar ...

*Higher frequencies have greater detail ... But with less range ...
*Lower frequencies have greater range ... But with less detail ...
(This has to do with sound pulse sine wave shape and properties) ...

Then there are the "Enviromental factors" involved ...

*Water depth ...the sound pulse strength diminishes more the farther away from the xducer origination ...
*Water particulate ... The sound pulse can be absorbed into water particulate leaving less pulse strength to return to the xducer ...
*Bottom composition ...The sound pulse is absorbed more into softer bottoms leaving less pulse strength to return to the xducer ...

Harder bottoms are always easier to scan and get more range ... Simply because more of the pulse strength can be returned to the xducer ...

Frequency choices are tools ...
*455kHz should be used to see out farther toward the edges of screen ...
*800kHz should be used to see more detail of objects closer to the boat ...

Limiting the unit function to 1 frequency only for all applications is like an electrician going to work with only 1 screwdriver ...

Rickie