Sonar Power?
jbmuskie
Posted 1/21/2009 2:39 PM (#356441)
Subject: Sonar Power?




Posts: 86


What's the difference between a 2400 watt peak to peak sonar vs. an 8000 watt peak to peak sonar? (Obviously 5600 watts, but is one that much better than the other?)
I would think it may give you a better reading of what's below??How much better?
Just Curious.
Thanks.
Jason Boersma
veha45
Posted 1/21/2009 4:02 PM (#356464 - in reply to #356441)
Subject: Re: Sonar Power???




Posts: 90


Really roughly, the more power you have allows you a deeper bottom reading. To use Lowrance as an example the 112 shoots 8000 watts and can read to 3000ft
Sonar Output Power Max 8000 W
Sonar Depth Max 3000 ft \ 915 m
http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Marine/Large-Screen-SonarGPS-Ch...

Compare that to a 520c which shoots 2400 watts and reaches 900ft
Sonar Output Power Max 2400 W
Sonar Depth Max 900 ft \ 275 m
http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Marine/Full-Size-SonarGPS-Chart...

The other benefit in theory is that you get a clearer picture and better definition with more power, the flip side is for our freshwater fishing some consider that much power overkill. Consider that the Vexilar fl-18 pumps out 400 watts and reads the bottom fine for everything that we do and one of the most popular sonar only models if you talk to walleye guys, the Vexilar edge only uses 1600 watts.
http://www.vexilar.com/pages/products/products_lc-507c.html




Edited by veha45 1/21/2009 4:04 PM
sworrall
Posted 1/25/2009 8:43 AM (#357075 - in reply to #356441)
Subject: Re: Sonar Power?





Posts: 32880


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
The 'power' rating is usually also a peak-to-peak rating, not RMS.