Depth Sounder Re-Fit?

Seafire327 · #1 03-01-2011

So I read Maine Sail's thread on replacing his depth sounder to a new model, but using the old transducer. My Standard Horizon DS-1 unit is pretty crispy, so I want to try the same trick. After looking at my owner's manual I see that the transducer works at 207 kHz... Being an electrical novice, I'm wondering if that is completely incompatable with 200 kHz unit. Do you need an exact match to work? It appears that Standard doesn't make simple depth sounders anymore so I can't go to the source.

sailingdog · #2 03-01-2011

Seafire—

Most of the transducers for depthsounders are actually made by a single company, Airmar, and if you contact them, they may be able to help tell you whether the display and the unit are compatible.

BTW, I used the Raymarine supplied transducers with my TackTick display heads for a half-season...until I could haul the boat and replace them.

CaptainForce · #3 03-01-2011

'just a side note. It might be a wise choice to view the depthsounder display with polarized sunglasses in the store before your purchase. I was very disappointed to find that my new depthsounder, though a good performer, can not be read with sunglasses on. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

sailingdog · #4 03-01-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainForce

'just a side note. It might be a wise choice to view the depthsounder display with polarized sunglasses in the store before your purchase. I was very disappointed to find that my new depthsounder, though a good performer, can not be read with sunglasses on. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

Actually, you can fix this problem pretty easily... just put a piece of quarter wave plate filter over the display, and you'll be able to read it...since that will "de-polarize" the display. This is how "circular" polarizers that are used by modern digital and autofocus cameras work. You'll have to play with the orientation of the quarter wave plate a bit to get it to work, but should be able to get the display so that you can read it with your polarized glasses on.

JiffyLube · #5 03-01-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Actually, you can fix this problem pretty easily... just put a piece of quarter wave plate filter over the display, and you'll be able to read it...since that will "de-polarize" the display. This is how "circular" polarizers that are used by modern digital and autofocus cameras work. You'll have to play with the orientation of the quarter wave plate a bit to get it to work, but should be able to get the display so that you can read it with your polarized glasses on.

You amaze me sometimes with your knowledge base. Have you ever thought of getting on the Jeopardy quiz show?

sailingdog · #6 03-02-2011

Jiffy-

Having been a photographer since the age of 8 or so and having taught it and acted as a problem solver for several pro studios, I picked up a bit about optics and light along the way.

CaptainForce · #7 03-02-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Actually, you can fix this problem pretty easily... just put a piece of quarter wave plate filter over the display..........

Thanks, Sailingdog. I "see the light"!

Seafire327 · #8 03-02-2011

Did SD just participate in a thread Hijack? Hmmm

Anyhow, I'm still searching to see if a 207 kHz transducer is usable with a modern 200 kHz sounder...Haven't been able to get in touch with the companies mentioned earlier...

ambianceack · #9 03-27-2011

We have in place the tacktick wind system, at the time of purchase I didn't understand that we needed to have speed info incoporated in order to get true wind. Currently we are debating between the tacktick nmea transmitter in order to get speed from our GPS or installing the retro speed transmitter (assuming we luck out like sailing dog did with his hull transmitter and pre-existing transducer).
We are adverse to installing another thru hull transducer.
Will the TackTick hull transmitter interface with the wind or will we need a NMEA transmitter anyway?