Garmin introduced their new Garmin UHD transducer (ultra high definition) and black box this year… and I was lucky enough to be one of the test pilots.
As you may know if you’ve done our Sounder Skills 1 course, higher definition frequencies like 800 kHz provide good clarity of the underwater landscape. Now with the Garmin UHD transducer at 1120 kHz it’s even better and the quality has stepped up considerably to the point where you can easily recognise species by their shape.
But as you step up in frequency you lose the ability to see as far, because the sound waves produced by the transducer are smaller in intensity but touch a lot more objects, hence the extra clarity. So it is important to remember that the higher the frequency the more it is suited to shallower situations like barra fishing inshore.
This will allow you to make an informed decision as to what unit you need for your own applications.
The main benefit for many Garmin users is that they can purchase the Garmin UHD transducer and black box and plug it straight in to your existing unit as long as it’s compatible. Compatible units are the echoMAP plus series and the gpsMAP series 752, 952, 1022, 1222 as well as the 74 and 84 series.
We have already seen some awesome side and down view images coming from these units and it’s not just fish but structure like wrecks and jetties.
Down image of wreck hull topside on Garmin UHD
Down image of bottom side of hull using Garmin UHD transducer
Sand pinnacles using Garmin UHD transducer
One of our Barra Basics students has captured some great shots on a recent trip where he took a two mates and caught 3 barra over a metre, as you can see in the following pics. Great effort Clint, great to see you putting your mates onto such good fish and thanks for the pics!
Barra in snags using Garmin UHD
Big barra lurking on Garmin UHD
Barra Basics student Clint Stoneham with metre plus barra number 1
Metre plus barra number 2
Putting your mates onto big barra is the ultimate thrill. Metre + number 3
One of the best advantages of this new Garmin UHD transducer and black box is when it's attached to a compatible unit you have the ability to run both offshore and inshore frequencies from the one unit which is perfect for those that enjoy both inshore and offshore fishing.
Few small barra holding outside a drain in Darwin Harbour
The benefits of having the compatible units is that the Garmin UHD transducer and black box only retails for around $899 dollars, so you don't have to go and buy an expensive new sounder to run the high frequency.
When we took the unit for a run last week we picked up a nice metre plus barra in about three casts in the Hinchinbrook channel. The video is below.
If interpreting your sounder is not your strong point and have trouble identifying fish, our $20 Sounder Skills 1 course will help!
Click the button below to get started - it's cheap as a takeaway lunch at the moment, only takes about 40 minutes to watch and also includes (as a free bonus) our sounder interpretation presentation.
Stop scratching your head and start catching fish in less time using my knowledge.
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4 Comments
Terry Van Zwieten
April 11, 2019Hi Ryan,
A great write up indeed.
I do have 1 question, from your experience do you see this UHD Transducer truly being used in water up to 200FT as Garmin suggest? From what i can gather from your review that its better suited for shallower water, maybe less than 100Ft?
PS: I have done your Sounder Skills 1 Course and highly recommend it to everyone. I learnt so much for just $20. A Bargain!
Im saving up for your Sounder Skills 2 Course.
Regards
Terry
Ryan Moody
April 27, 2019Hi Terry,
Cheers for your comments about Sounder Skills 1. Gald you enjoyed it mate!
I’m not sure where you got those stats from but high frequency side image will only see up to 40 mts in 10 mts of water. Never seen any high mega hertz frequency reach those distances.
Hope that helps
Cheers
Andrew
September 12, 2018Good writeup, Ryan. Resolution high enough to identify individual species is pretty game changing. Too bad it’s not compatible with the STRIKER Plus series. Great reason to aspire to the higher entry point (as though we needed a reason).
Best,
Andrew
Ryan Moody
May 30, 2018Hi Paul, the $20 is a discounted price as we are running a special. You would have needed to put in a coupon code. I will send you an email and we can refund you the difference mate. A simple misunderstanding.
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