HST WSU Transducer FF Suggestion

The kayak i purchased has a HST WSU transducer already epoxied in to the hull (inside). I'm looking for a suggestion for a basic FF that will work with it.

It appears any of the following will work

Cuda: 128, 128 P, 168, 168 EX, 242, 250 S/Map
FishEasy: 240, 245 DS, 250 DS, 320
FishElite: 500C, 502C iGPS, 640C, 642C iGPS
FishMark:
320, 500C, 640C
FishStrike: 1000C, 2000C
LCF-1440, LST-3800
M56 S/MAP, M68C S/MAP, X47, X47EX, X-50 DS, X67C, X-86 DS, X96

Any model in particular I should look into? or, am I better off removing it and starting fresh with a newer model?

Remove it and go with the Elite Chirp Series FF.  You won't be sorry.

All of those models are no longer made.  You might be able to find a used one BUT I would suggest looking at a newer unit anyways.

What kayak is it in?

ok, good to know. Guess I'll see how hard it will be to remove and start shopping for a deal on a new FF.

BTW It's in a Hobie Adventure.

Remove it and go with the Elite Chirp Series FF.  You won't be sorry.

or just following someone with a Elite 7... screen is big enough to be seen from another yak 

if you are interested, I do have a fisheasy 245ds that you can have.  fits in mast hole of hobies.

Funny I have the same transducer epoxied into the hull of my Revo 13. I don't know what EWB used but I can't remove it. I originally planned to utilize it by purchasing a cheap used Cuda FF... But I ended up getting a simple Elite 5 and installing a new transducer inside. Because the HST WSU only operates on single frequency (200khz) which will not provide a very good image of the bottom...you need at least dual frequency like 83 & 200khz.

Funny I have the same transducer epoxied into the hull of my Revo 13. I don't know what EWB used but I can't remove it. I originally planned to utilize it by purchasing a cheap used Cuda FF... But I ended up getting a simple Elite 5 and installing a new transducer inside. Because the HST WSU only operates on single frequency (200khz) which will not provide a very good image of the bottom...you need at least dual frequency like 83 & 200khz.

Actually ... the HST WSU should be a dual freq. transducer @ 83/200

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Resources1/Lowrance/Products/Transducers/HST-WSU-Transducer-en-us.aspx

I think the packaging only says 200khz though so I honestly don't know which way it TRUTHFULLY is.  I BELIEVE it is a dual freq. though.  I'll look for clarification...  Got the questions out to a guru higher up the food chain than me for clarification 

Ahh, now I remember talking about this!
It is listed as only 200khz everywhere except the Lowrance site, which says dual freq.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=hst%20wsu%20transducer

Ok ... here's the OFFICIAL word on this subject then we can lock out the thread 

   The HST-WSU will be ONLY 200 khz IF the old unit is 200 ONLY.  If the old unit is dual-freq (83/200), then this transducer will operate on 83/200.  Temp too...  The only current models that can accept this transducer is the Elite 3x.

   NOW for the real clincher ...  hang on tight!  You can use an adapter cable to convert this old 'UniPlug' transducer to work with the modern 'Blue' plug units like the Elite HDI/CHIRP or HDS series units EXCEPT you will not be able to DownScan image using that old transducer.  This adapter cable is P/N 000-10052-001

   Transducers DO wear out over time internally so it may be best to replace it ... your call.

   LOCK 'ER DOWN!

Reviving this old thread to since i have the same problem.

Turns out the hobie oasis i bought came with a transducer epoxied to the hull, with a mismatched fishfinder head unit.  My guess is that the previous owner kept the newer head unit that was used with the installed transducer, and gave me an old m68c from a previous setup.  I wish I did more research on fishfinders before i purchased!

Anyway, I am thinking I want a fresh start with a new ff.  Any recommendations on how to remove the epoxied transducer? 

Does anyone know what's inside a transducer?  Anything hard?  Maybe because I've just had some dental work, I'm thinking maybe you could Dremel it down to the hull material.

Transducers have ceramics inside.  I would not drill through.  Epoxy doesn't hold all that well with polyethylene so I would take a rubber mallet and hit it a few times.  Should come off really easily.  Inspect the underside, you will probably see air pockets in the epoxy which ultimately are messing up the transducer signal.  Keep that in mind for your next transducer installation.  Consider a legit shoot through the hull transducer that sits in its own water bath.  Also a true CHIRP transducer with a power rating of at least 600W if you are fishing salt. The stock Lowrance transducers are junk and really only good for freshwater. 

Transducers have ceramics inside.  I would not drill through.  Epoxy doesn't hold all that well with polyethylene so I would take a rubber mallet and hit it a few times.  Should come off really easily.  Inspect the underside, you will probably see air pockets in the epoxy which ultimately are messing up the transducer signal.  Keep that in mind for your next transducer installation.  Consider a legit shoot through the hull transducer that sits in its own water bath.  Also a true CHIRP transducer with a power rating of at least 600W if you are fishing salt. The stock Lowrance transducers are junk and really only good for freshwater.

Thanks for your help. I’ve been looking to purchase the hook2 5 triple shot. Which transducer would you recommend pairing with this head unit?

The hook2 is entry level lowrance so you have no choice but to get the junk lowrance transducer.  The better (and more expensive) Lowrance headunits allow to use better transducers and you buy them separately from Airmar.  I think the one that comes with the hook2 is the broadband 50/200, 455/800 downscan and the 455/800 sidescan.  Hence "triple" shot.  Downscan and sidescan is fine, but the 50/200  transducer lacks the power for broadband and it is not a true broadband CHIRP transducer.  Also, the tripleshot transducer is large.  The downscan and sidescan won't work very well if you mount it inside the kayak. 

Garmin has upgraded their basic fish finder packages to include better broadband transducers, you could look into them.  Should be able to get a similarly priced package but with a better broadband transducer.

The best transducers are sold by Airmar...  http://www.airmar.com/productinfo.html?category=MT&name=Marine%20Transducers