The fishing process is becoming more technologically advanced and efficient. This is facilitated by the emergence of new devices that expand the capabilities of fishermen. The fish finder is one of the most common gadgets used in this area. Sensitive sensors scan the underwater space, providing the user with the necessary information through the screen. Today, the fish finder for a smartphone on Android is gaining more and more popularity, the workflow of which requires only a sensor connection. All recorded information is displayed on a mobile device without additional electronic devices.
What is a fishfinder for a smartphone?
This is a type of portable sonar sensors that can be attached to a fishing line or a special rope. The traditional design of the device is the shape of the ball into which the transducer is integrated. It is only possible to use the echo sounder with a smartphone from the shore, since it will not be possible to ensure its reliable fixation on the boat, especially during movement. There are models for the operating systems iOS and Android. In this case, the second option is being considered, but manufacturers are increasingly providing support for both systems.
It is important to emphasize the lack of wires in the communication system. If stationary transom models have a cable connection to the display, then the echo sounder that works with a smartphone transmits a signal via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. There are modifications with radio modules.
The principle of operation of the device
Despite the significant difference between portable wireless and stationary models, all echo sounders operate on the basis of pulse radiation, which are processed and presented to the user in a convenient form. The same smartphone using a special application will graphically reflect the topography of the bottom, show the depth and activity of the fish - the specific set of information depends on the model. The main means of echolocation is the aforementioned transducer. This is a sensor emitter that sends signals to the bottom surface and receives reflected waves. During operation, the echo sounder with a smartphone can change the interaction parameters depending on the conditions. In particular, the user himself can initially set the properties of communication, but high-tech models are able to automatically adjust, for example, the frequency of sending pulses. After the information has appeared on the smartphone screen, the user makes certain decisions on changing fishing tactics. Such devices allow you to search for the most favorable places for fishing.
Power supply system
The absence of wires causes one of the main disadvantages of such sonars. The fact is that fishing is a long process, and autonomy for wireless electronics is always limited to several hours. The sensors are equipped with batteries, the average capacity of which is 500-1000 mAh. Although in standby mode the device can maintain a potential readiness for work for several days, the active format of operation consumes energy in 8-10 hours. This applies to models with batteries of 700-800 mAh. We are talking about averaged indicators, since the weather will also affect the intensity of the reduction in battery volume. For example, a winter sounder for a smartphone consumes 15-20% more energy, which should be taken into account. Some manufacturers also provide several batteries in one kit. Moreover, depending on the format of the battery, it may be possible to recharge it from a car cigarette lighter. In this case, it is possible to provide an almost non-stop scanning process by charging and changing batteries.
Key Features
The effectiveness of the device is primarily determined by its power. In portable sonars, it rarely exceeds 300 watts. Models with this potential are ideal for conventional fishing from the shore with a casting range of about 30-40 m. Power affects the detection depth, which can reach from several tens to hundreds of meters - most models work in the ranges of 40-500 m. The radiation range will also be affected by the frequency. The lower it is, the higher the radius of action. For example, 50 kHz will provide those same 500 m. But it is important to consider that the characteristics of the water will also affect the function of the wireless sounder sensor for a smartphone. So, in conditions of increased mineralization, the monitoring depth can be halved. At the same time, you should not focus solely on power with a frequency. The scanning angle is also important, which on average varies from 15 ° to 45 °. This is the magnitude of the coverage of the underwater space, respectively, from a narrow field to a wide one.
Model Deeper Smart Sonar
One of the best portable sonar models in the segment from the well-known Estonian manufacturer Deeper. The features of the device include the presence of two radiation points - transducers with frequencies of 90 and 290 kHz cover angles of 55 ° to 15 °. This means that the sounder sensor for a smartphone will reflect fish with high detail on the screen. The functionality of the model also deserves attention. The device has a GPS module, so the scan data can be superimposed on a real cartographic diagram in a special application. This feature allows you to record information about visited objects.
High power of the sensor negatively affected autonomy. If you need a winter echo sounder for a smartphone, you will have to count on no more than 5 hours of work on a single charge. Moreover, the battery capacity is replenished for at least 2 hours. The disadvantages of this proposal include the high cost, which is about 20 thousand rubles.
Model Deeper Smart Fishfinder
Modification from the same manufacturer, but with more modest capabilities. The signal propagation reaches 40 m, and high scanning accuracy is maintained at depths of the order of 50 m. At the same time, the device also has two beams, but with smaller ranges. This version also inherited a lack of autonomy - the battery is able to function for 4 hours. As for the strengths, they are reflected in high-quality monitoring with a high degree of detail and the presence of the lunar calendar. On average, the price of the fishfinder for a smartphone on Android of this modification is 10-11 thousand. That is, this is a budget version of the previous device with understandable limitations in technical and operational qualities.
FishHunter Directional 3D Model
A high-tech portable sounder model that has five transducers. The frequency range extends from 381 to 675 kHz, which makes it possible to accurately reflect the position of the fish. However, the depth of investigation still limits this echo sounder for a smartphone on the Android to 55 m. But the device also has a GPS module with which you can form an underwater map of the object.
Additional functionality of the model should include tips for the fisherman. So, during the scanning process, the device signals which place is best to throw the hook. As for the 3D prefix, it indicates the possibility of three-dimensional modeling of the map with highlighting the texture of the relief. Earlier, only stationary stationary expensive models were provided with such an option, but the price of the fishfinder for the smartphone for Android from FishHunter is quite acceptable for its class - an average of 21 thousand.
How to choose a suitable model?
Mainly the main operational qualities should be taken into account - radiation frequency, scanning depth and battery capacity. Further it is possible to pass to additional functions. If the possibility of 3D-mapping is more an ergonomic option, then, for example, a GPS-receiver can be attributed to useful practical tools. With its help, the fisherman will be able to draw up full-fledged maps, indicating the places visited and the corresponding comments on them. In terms of quality selection, it is better to focus on large manufacturers. Acquiring an echo sounder for a smartphone from China at prices of 5-7 thousand is undesirable, since even with wide functionality they are unlikely to provide high accuracy of the bottom survey. Only in rare cases, such products confirm the high initially declared parameters in practice. Also, the presence of external protection means should be taken into account - the sensitive element must have at least a waterproof shell and a coating that protects from mechanical influences.
The nuances of operating fishfinders for a smartphone on the "Android"
At the first stage of application, synchronization between the mobile device and the sensor should be established. Special applications from the sonar manufacturers themselves help to perform this procedure automatically. Next, already at the place of operation, you should fix the smartphone. Since it will interfere with the fishing process, it will not be superfluous to provide a special holder and fix the case on it. Some kits with sensors include similar devices. After that, the sounder for the smartphone on the Android itself must be securely fixed on the fishing line or separately thrown rope. But it is important not to confuse its direction - the beam on the working surface of the sensor should be oriented downward.
Conclusion
Using portable bottom monitoring tools is certainly a convenient way to get the right information for the angler. But their working qualities are significantly inferior to stationary counterparts with their own displays. This difference is especially visible in the examples of echo sounders for a smartphone from China with price tags no higher than 8-10 thousand. As a rule, these are low-power models with low efficiency. But what in this case justifies the use of such sensors besides ergonomics? Nevertheless, such gadgets can be useful if they are planned to be used at shallow depths when casting from the shore. But for access to open water on a boat, for example, in such a snap there simply will not be sense.