Expert: Marc Wisniewski - 10/21/2009

Question
I want to buy a wireless fishfinder for my husband and I for Christmas this year.  I am stuck between the Humminbird Smartcast wrist style RF35 or rod mount RF25. Are both the same other than the wrist and rod mount? How about the RF15 beside it portability how is this different? Can you help me determine?  We do have Lowrance for our big boat, but we like to do alot of shore fishing also.  Thanks Toni

Answer
Hi Toni,

When I saw this coming out on the market years ago I had to have one.  I do a lot of pier fishing on lake Michigan and I thought that it would be perfect.  

First, the detail is a lot less than what you are used to on your boat model.  It will give you a pretty good depth reading but don't expect too much out of the detail for structure or fish.  

The biggest problem is the life of the transducer.  Figure having to buy a couple a year.  For some reason they just don't last long.  They are supposed to have an automatic switch, but I don't know how well they work.  No way to change the battery.  You just have to buy new transducers.

The range isn't too great and it gets really bad in waves.

The wrist or rod mount are about the same.  The RF15 is better detail, but like I said, it isn't what I am used to in a 320 or 480 pixel like I have in the boat.

It's a unique item but I'd have a hard time recommending that you buy one.  I believe the technology could get better, but Hummingbird hasn't really done much with this unit.

Good luck and good fishing,

Marc