[Team Bloody Waters]

Don't know if I shoulsd get the eagle cuda 300 or the 168, both are 69.99 at academy. Any imput would be appreciated:bowdown

Thanks!

Dustin Dustin

 

[sosmarine]

What are the spec's?

The 168 is discontinued. Maybe that will help.

 

[chaps]

I bought the eagle cuda about 3 months ago on advice from other yakers, and I have been happy with it. It seems to mark well in water over 10 feet deep. I can see my jigs bouncing off the bottom, etc... I mounted the transducer in vasoline in the hull and I use 8, AA rechargeable batteries to power it. Ifeel it is cheap enough if I damage it or it breaks, I'm not out a lot of money.

 

[Bonsaifishrman]

sosmarine (1/24/2010)What are the spec's?

The 168 is discontinued. Maybe that will help.

Specs are important. The 300 might have some better quailities. I have a new 168 that I have never installed yet until I get the new kayak. Some guys are going with the fish finder and gps combos, but they are $200 plus. I went on price. If it breaks, for the small money I can buy another. From what I have seen all the fish finders in this price range work quite fine in the past for most. The biggers one are just...........well what can I say.

 

[BloodyWaters]

chaps (1/24/2010)I bought the eagle cuda about 3 months ago on advice from other yakers, and I have been happy with it. It seems to mark well in water over 10 feet deep. I can see my jigs bouncing off the bottom, etc... I mounted the transducer in vasoline in the hull and I use 8, AA rechargeable batteries to power it. Ifeel it is cheap enough if I damage it or it breaks, I'm not out a lot of money.

How did you mount it in vasoline? and why not silicone? im getting ready to install a depth finder and want it done right. i know you must have a good reason for it, because your anchor idea is smart shit.

 

[[email protected]]

Vasoline is more of a temporary mount. Both work but I have seen the vasoline give some guys headaches. Do it with 5200 and do it right. One word of advice is to vasoline the connection where the cable goes into the machine...this will save 69 dolars a year when your pins dont rust away like mine.

 

[BloodyWaters]

Thanks for the info Tex.:letsdrink

 

[Jig n Hawgs]

I don't know which is better, but eagle is a good choice. Half Hitch had some Lowrance machines the other day for 49.00. I got one and its darn good machine for the price. Stay away from Humminbird, never had luck with them.

 

[FLSalomon]

Go with whichever FF gives you the most vertical pixels - that is what will give you the best depth resolution...

 

[chaps]

I used vasoline more as a temporary mount. I siliconed a foam insert cutout in the bottom of the hull towards the front. Once the foam insert cured, I heateda jar of vaseline in boiling water. Once it was almost liquid I poured some in the foam insert, set my transducer in and then filled the rest of the space with vaseline. Once it solidified, it made a great bond. I store my kayak upright so hopefully it won't give me a problem. If I have any problems with it, I will probably permanently mount it.

The reason I didn't mount it permanently as Tex mentioned was because I read some posts about air bubbles under the adhesive, so I wanted to experiment first with the vaseline to see how well that worked. It hasn't given me any problems yet.

Good luck. John

 

[Team Bloody Waters]

I know hummingbirds are a POS and I'm all about the 5200! I think the cuda 300 has a higher pixel resolution so I'm thinking the 300 is a better deal.

Tex are you saying to submerge the transducer in 5200 as some people do with silicon on a thru hull mount?

I have one more question. How do you guys run your transducer and power wire from inside the yak to you bottom machine. I mean as far as a hole and how you seal it. I'm just trying to do it right the first time and thank everyone for all of your input!:letsdrink

Dustin Dustin

 

[hjorgan]

Don't be hatin' the Birds... I have both Eagle and Hbirds and both have their place.

Not sure about needing one on a yak though... I usually just stick my foot down.

No bottom? Too deep...

 

[Jig n Hawgs]

Mount the transducer inside the yak with 5200 or marine goop, run power wire to mounted battery holder inside hull. Drill a hole were the unit will be mounted for the wires, run wires up to unit. Seal with marine goop.



Make sure transducer is mounted in the hull that is always in contact with water, even with big waves. There are a lot of videos on youtube showing instalation.

 

[specslayer]

i have the cuda 320c and love it but yea get the one with more pixelation it will make a better picture of whats really down there. i had alot of trouble with air bubles in the silicone the first few times i mounted my 168 but you just have to put it in the silicone nice and slow. as for the hole from the wires to to the head unit make a hole just big enough for the connection and put the wires through then slip a gromet over the wires, thats how i have it rigged and works fine.

 

[FLSalomon]

try warming the Goop (which I prefer) or the 5200 in a mug of warm water for a couple of minutes. It will flow out really easy and less chance of getting air bubbles in it. I did glue down a piece of foam with a transducer sized cutout in it first. Let it cure, then glue the transducer inside the cutout. Works great.

I ran the power / transducer cable up througha rubber cork - drill two holes in the cork, slits on the side to slide the cables in, then glue it in the hole. Or use you can use a through-hull fitting.

 

[Team Bloody Waters]

I do hate the birds, might be good for fresh water but... I still hate em. As far as gps fish finder combo seems like a waste of money. If I have a handheld I can take it any where Like a boat or woodsand its not like I need them them both runnin at the same time always and if the unit screws up I'm out both on:doh.

Thats a good idea for heating up the stuff to get the air bubbles out:clap

I know about the utube videos but I'll take a PFFer's advice first since at least I have an idea of thier fishing xp!

Sorry if I come of as an A$$, I had a couple:letsdrink and a couple shots While my little birds were cookin(cornish game hens) and I really wanna thank uguys for all your input!:letsdrink

I'll see you on the water or Feb. 6th:letsdrink

 

[YakFlies]

Get the 300.. it's the updated model of the 168 and vasoline your pins.