2018 Revo - Garmin Sonar Upgrade

Have been a Garmin fan , but with the Lowrance Ready sonar well, i thought i had little choice but to use a Lowrance, and I did thanks to a good friend's  gift.

But with the recent Black Friday deals, purchased a Garmin 9" GPSEcho at a sweet deal...thanks Santa!

The challenge was to figure out how to install the Garmin transducer in a mount made specially for Lowrance and without paying the $59 price tag of an aftermarket plate; which also looked ugly, extending lowing than the hull...

Did some preliminary measurements and broke out the dremel, trimmed away part of the upright braces on the plate and the transducer bracket, which allowed the transducer to move forward so the bracket hole align.

There was no need to secure the back end of the transducer,  because it was held in place by the plate when tightened down one the kayak.

Other than that, that's all it took to mount the  Garmin GT54UHD transducer in the Revo.

My googlefu indicates that your transducer has side scan capabilities- I wonder how that mounting will affect side scan? I think the berlypro covers are the way they are to better facilitate sidescan.

I was also under the impression that side scan transducers need to sit below the hull to get full signal. I think I may mount my new totalscan transducer without a cover, because it seems like the covers will collect sand and dirt inside them during beach launches, degrading the signal.

Krishna - Drill or cut a couple openings on the cover and then flush the sand out from above with a hose.

Cheers,
Brad

Krishna - Drill or cut a couple openings on the cover and then flush the sand out from above with a hose.

Cheers,
Brad

This.  I used to have the BerleyPro my Revo16, it collects sand all the time.   Never really affect the performance on water, but I do try my best to flush it after water time.

Krishna - Drill or cut a couple openings on the cover and then flush the sand out from above with a hose.

Cheers,
Brad

Thanks! I’m still tempted to try without a cover to save money and keep things clean. Maybe just a small bump guard at the very front.

I had the Berley Pro, and not only does it collect sand, but also the sand doesn’t come out after paddling for full day. There’s another safety issue with the Berley Pro - on some types of seaweed, the seaweed would snag and bring the kayak to a stop. One time we tried to cross a field of seaweed (without the drive of course), and got stuck in the middle, only then realizing what has happened. It’s dangerous.
After this trip it was a game over for the Berley Pro. I ended up removing it, cutting the plastic Hobie transducer plate, mounting directly to its brackets (with a “bridging” piece of plastic) and custom cutting a piece of foam to prevent pressure from pushing the transducer in. Works absolutely perfect, has less drag, and never worry about signal obstruction.

Also, the Revo keel caves in a little in that area, so even when laying the kayak on the road, the transducer shouldn’t get banged. The foam also helps in case of shock.

Here is what I decided to do. Fingers crossed that the naked ‘ducer does okay.

Here is what I decided to do. Fingers crossed that the naked ‘ducer does okay.

Naked 'ducers are my favorite kind...

Here is what I decided to do. Fingers crossed that the naked ‘ducer does okay.

I would rather have the Berley Pro takes the brunt of sand, rocks, landing, than the ducer directly.  The ducer is much more expensive than the BerleyPro.  The downside is the BerleyPro is protruding quite a bid, so dragging over the sand requires extra lift.

Just got a 2021 Revo. I have the same GT54UHD transducer as the OP.
After deliberating on how to mount this, I think I'll forego the sidescan for now and mount it the same way as he did; on the inside of the plate. I just don't want to have the kayak lying and putting its weight on top of the transducer when loading and unloading from the car on the asphalt.

My googlefu indicates that your transducer has side scan capabilities- I wonder how that mounting will affect side scan? I think the berlypro covers are the way they are to better facilitate sidescan.

Will side scan help with rockfishing, salmon, halibut and trout? I dont need it....

I use a Garmin echo 74sv with a side scan transducer (TM28).  I removed the fixed hobie outback transducer well plate, and then mounted the transducer on the bottom of the retractible plate.  When I'm beaching in or launching I pull the transducer cord to retract the transducer inside the well, protected.   When I'm in the water ready to turn on the Garmin I release the transducer cord and the transducer lowers so that it now protrudes beneath the hull 1-2 inches.  This way the side scan works well.

I use a Garmin echo 74sv with a side scan transducer (TM28).  I removed the fixed hobie outback transducer well plate, and then mounted the transducer on the bottom of the retractible plate.  When I'm beaching in or launching I pull the transducer cord to retract the transducer inside the well, protected.   When I'm in the water ready to turn on the Garmin I release the transducer cord and the transducer lowers so that it now protrudes beneath the hull 1-2 inches.  This way the side scan works well.

Wish there was something similar to the Guardian for the Revo.

Sorry, I didn't realize the redo didn't have the same type transducer well.

I use a Garmin echo 74sv with a side scan transducer (TM28).  I removed the fixed hobie outback transducer well plate, and then mounted the transducer on the bottom of the retractible plate.  When I'm beaching in or launching I pull the transducer cord to retract the transducer inside the well, protected.   When I'm in the water ready to turn on the Garmin I release the transducer cord and the transducer lowers so that it now protrudes beneath the hull 1-2 inches.  This way the side scan works well.

Wish there was something similar to the Guardian for the Revo.