panoptix transducer

[rshoop]

I hope that someone can help answer these questions.

Has anyone installed the panoptix transducer on their boat? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-TtJcEQmB0

I will get my boat this week and it has a P79 shoot thru transducer, I don't know how well it works, but the panoptix transducer, according to the video, is pretty sweet.

Thanks, Robin

 

[bob daily]

Robbins
You did not say which type / model Ranger Tug your getting, outboard or diesel. That will make a difference in transducer placement on your boat, also the transducer you mentioned looks great for a bass boat, but unsure about mounting on a tug, and interference with trailer.
I am not a fan of the in hull Airmar P-79, if you look at the Garman transducer selection guide you will see only use on hulls less than 5/8 in thickness, most rangers tugs will be at or over that! Your sonar/depth finder is only as good as the transducer, that is why I upgraded to a thru-hull transducer, if you look at my photo album you will see the upgrade. There are so many choices for transducer, traditional, Chirp, Side view, etc. not to mention what frequencies and wattage and depth you want to see and how your using the unit (fishing/crusing). Plus placement and trailorability. Also the transducer you are looking at only has a depth reading of 300 ft. so not practical for most of us! Good luck with your choice. Bob

 

[rshoop]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the reply. I bought a 2019 R31 Sedan with a diesel engine.

I have been looking at the Garmin website and don't understand all of the terminology.

I found your earlier post and learned that the P79 Shoot Thru Transducer is mounted on the inside of the boat and senses through the hull. Does this only work as a depth finder or will it also serve as a fish finder? I hope that the boat includes a fish finder 😉

I live in Pittsburgh and will be fishing on rivers with a maximum depth of around 35 feet.

Thanks again, Robin

 

[bob daily]

Robin
Yes it will work as a fish finder!
I would assume you would have a traditional transducer ie: 50/200 KHz frequency, 600 KW power
And a band with of 12to 45 degrees depending on frequency used. Have fun and play with it prior to replacement, as you might not need to! Sounds like you have a very nice boat, one day I hope to upgrade to a larger boat but will have to sell the farm first, just can't do everything I want too!
Good luck and enjoy. Bob

 

[Catch22]

The Panoptix provides fantastic shallow water "live imaging". It is primarily designed for fishing boats. The transducer is most often mounted at the bow on a trolling motor or on separate deployable mounting rod. A transom mount transducer is available also. Garmin recommends that the Panoptix transducer be mounted as near the centerline as possible. On an outboard powered boat, the transducer would , then, be ahead of the prop wash and hopefully in clear, turbulence free water. With your diesel inboard configuration, the prop turbulence would negatively effect the sonar reception. The through-hull transducer Bob mentioned will provide depth and mark fish when properly set up. It will not provide the "WOW" video game type live imaging but should be far less problematic .

 

[bob daily]

Catch 22
At $1500 for a transducer, I would just tape a picture of a fish to the GPS screen and call it good for my crew! That's a lot of beer money. Bob