So I was looking for a fish finder/depth reader that I could use from the bank. I came across two different devices, Humminbird RF35 Smartcast Series and Norcross Hawkeye FF3355P. Based on the reviews from amazon the Hawkeye is way better. Besides using the device to find fish I want to use it to hand draw some topo maps (and add honey holes ;D) of the few small ponds that I go to.

I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with either device or something similar targeted to bank fishers.

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.

According to the Norcross web site, the transducer is connected via a 35 foot cable. The Humminbird is wireless. It looks like the Norcross has better features if you want to be restricted to the readings within the cable length.

If your pond is no more than 70 feet wide at any point, the Norcross would be the best choice.

Just a thought,  you could attach the wireless Hummingbird transducer to a RC boat and drive the thing around getting depth readings wherever you wanted.  

The RC boat idea is a good one, however I read that the wireless reliability of the humminbird is low. For plotting the topo maps yes it would be good, but it won't give me a nice idea of whats on the bottom. It tends to get fish and grass mixed up.

As for the 35 foot cable there should be no problem. If I find it to not give me the distance I need I can easily modify the cable. Adding an extension to a cable is very easy to do.

man if i had the money!!!!! a good remote controlled boat the Norcross Hawkeye FF3355P 50yrds of cable to extend its reach.

wait!!! i seen this in wireless with gps and an awesome sonar, remote control boat that comes back if it goes out of range, and when the battery is dieing. and you can hook your line to it to drop it into those hard to get to holes. oh and it comes with its own laptop to view all the readings on.

its currently $7000 but in 10yrs it will be cheaper.  ;D

i kinda want the humming bird, but no one got me it for x-mas   :'(

Humminbird SmartCast:

Pros:

-compact

-essentially a depth reader; will give you depths (+/- 2ft)

-will read larger fish suspended well away from bottom or cover

-reliable range of about 80ft; a med-long cast

-If you have well contoured, hard structured water that you cannot see from shore, it will help you locate "hills and valleys".

Cons:

-Is really not much more than a bottom reader, or large suspended fish finder; Does not have a grayline feature (multiple shades of gray) so bottom hardness, or discerning anything within cover or near bottom is not likely.

-Cone angle very wide which can read suspended fish but, esp without grayline, kills any hope of detail. Fish ID lumps all hard returns: rocks, large fish, bulk of weed clumps.

-Sensitivity adjustment appears almost useless, considering cone angle and lack of grayline.

-Even small waves cut the signal; must reel slowly

-Transducer does not allow battery change and are $20 each

-Must completely dry the transducer or battery will run out

I use one occasionally to know actual depth and to get temp profiles. A C-Rig or heavy jig will actually provide you MORE info (except known depth number) and is FAR cheaper and simpler.

My opinion after having one for three years:

Save your money and get a small boat, or float tube ($150.00), and then a unit with gray-line, or better, color.

The Humminbird RF15 does have a 4 level grayscale screen the small wrist and rod mount units do not.  They work fine from the shore.  The biggest issue with them tends to be battery life.  You could always get an extra humminbird power cable and run it directly to a 12v Flasher or underwater camera battery for increased run time.