Smart Phone Fishfinders?

The iBobber ad popped up to the left, so I looked at their website.  Then I searched on Google.  Looks like there are two other companies making similar products.  My question is...

Has anyone tried these things?  The limitations are easy to see, but they look like a good option for traveling, back-up, or for a buddy yak.

Holy poop.  Had no idea they had this.  early self xmas present!     might be ideal for the SUP, and def for travel

I know, right!  It's making me rethink my plan to keep my old fish finders for installing on my spare kayaks.

I know, right!  It's making me rethink my plan to keep my old fish finders for installing on my spare kayaks.

pare it with an iPad for enhanced viewing plezzure.   
assemble an array of pads and ibobbers to make a fishfinder jumbotron.

no more goop or water baths, this gonna be crawdad crazy

Ever wonder why none of the big name FF players create one of these?  There's a reason 

H-Bird made one about 10 years ago.  Maybe they sold the idea to one of these startups as scrap technology.

Not knocking the technology.  I'm sure at some point, we will start to see more & more bluetooth/wireless technology appear within the marine industry.

last thing I wanna do is kill my phone battery running that app ; or worst, drop it in the drink....

Ever wonder why none of the big name FF players create one of these?  There's a reason 

yeah, its called profit - they still make money on head units using iterative design improvements.
why bother innovating out of the existing biz model that still generates cash

The first iphone didn't launch until June 29, 2007.  Anything before then doesn't even register so forget about what hbird did 10 years ago, since it was pre-iphone.

and you bess believe all the big name FF players is working on pairing forthcoming units with a ubiquitous device carried by virtually EVERYONE.  the comanies that ain't, gone in 10 to 15 years.

Lowrance has been pairing with iPad & iPhone for a number of years already.  We are just starting to see Bluetooth being used within the name brands as of 2015 (maybe a little earlier).

As for 10+ year old H-Bird, they used a wireless technology but did not transmit to a phone/pad ... it was a watch.

My iphone is always out on yak with me. Love the Navionics Boating app to mark and find GPS spots.

Navionics sent me this unit to try out:

http://www.navionics.com/en/sonarphone

Just need to take it out of box and install it.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

That Navionics looks similar to a unit Raymarine launched this year.

   I'm interested to see how the Navionics unit works out.  I like it's design a bit better vs the Raymarine.

That Navionics looks similar to a unit Raymarine launched this year.

   I'm interested to see how the Navionics unit works out.  I like it's design a bit better vs the Raymarine.

Once I get it up and running on my new Kraken I'll make sure to let you know Bill!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

As for 10+ year old H-Bird, they used a wireless technology but did not transmit to a phone/pad ... it was a watch.

oh taht's what you were referring to.  i have that.  It didn't totally stink, it actually pinged LMB and SMB in Lake DV that I successfully jigged off a hump near the narrows.  hopefully it looks like a toy compared to current gen bluetooth phone finders.  we shall c! 

Gotta get me one of those...

I picked up one last November since I mainly fish on shore. Its a great portable tool. I got the Deeper Fish Finder which has dual beam (90 khz and 290 khz).

Since I picked up a lowrance elite 5 a few weeks ago, I tested it out last weekend. Both unit display the same depth and temperature. Marking of fish was pretty accurate as well. The unit would run out of juice before the phone. 

I do carry ways to charge both unit while on the water so it isn't an issue.

There are a few other portable unit that look promising. Fish Hunter has one which looks really good!!