Depth Finder Accuracy??

[PistonHonda]

Hi everyone,

I've owned a 2007 180C for a few weeks now and I'm wondering if the depth finder is inaccurate or does it give itself a little buffer to keep us from running too shallow. It reads 3 feet in water that is 3 feet deep to about 8 feet deep then it starts to show deeper water. Is it measuring from the bottom of the boat to the lake bottom? How does this thing work!?!? It makes me nervous when it reads 3 even if I know the water is 6 feet deep or more... I should put some black tape over it. :coolgleam:

Thanks!

 

[10forty2]

If you have a "through the hull" transducer, it may be having difficulty in getting a strong enough signal to read accurately. The one on my boat is useless...not sure if it was installed by the previous owner or if it was something from the factory. It's little digital readout about one inch by 2 inches, mounted beneath the steering wheel on the dash. I think the fiberglass hulls on these boats are pretty thick, so a through the hull transducer is probably not the right solution. I'm looking at a Lowrance unit to install that uses a transom mount transducer and gives down-scan sonar capabilities as well. Gonna be pricey, but I think it will be the best solution for me.

 

[C9R0J0]

I have an aftermarket through hull transducer on my 06 180 and I haven't had any issues with accuracy. It could have something to do with the location or mounting technique.

 

[PistonHonda]

It's a Sea Doo depth finder that comes on the SE. It's on the lower left corner of the instrument cluster.

 

[gb387]

I am not totally familiar with your boat but if it is a through hull transducer there is a gel pad between the transducer and hull. If this pad dries out or separated from the hull and/or transducer it gives incorrect readings... This has been my experience with the through hull transducers. The pad can be replaced, it's worth a shot the gel pad is around 15 dollars.

 

[PistonHonda]

I am not totally familiar with your boat but if it is a through hull transducer there is a gel pad between the transducer and hull. If this pad dries out or separated from the hull and/or transducer it gives incorrect readings... This has been my experience with the through hull transducers. The pad can be replaced, it's worth a shot the gel pad is around 15 dollars.

That sounds like a possibility. I'll try finding it. Thanks for the info!

 

[kimber_shaye]

You might also consider installing an after market depth finder and fish finder.

 

[kimber_shaye]

I decided to do this on my WaveRunner and the quality of the computer is outstanding. Its very easy to install. I detailed it in a blog post. Check it out:

Depth Finder Mount on 2016 Yamaha VX Deluxe WaveRunner