GP1971F Transducer Upgrade 1kW

 Hi FW Crew.

Currently running a GP1971 with transom mounted P66, and looking at doing some deeper work in 200-250m depths. Due to hull arrangement will need to be transom mounted, so thinking TM260 will be the go. Anyone running a set up like this and can comment on performance in those sort of depths? Or should I be looking at something that offers Chirp, and why?

Cheers,

BD.


still trying's picture

Posts: 1017

Date Joined: 27/06/17

 Interested in this too

Mon, 2023-01-09 17:37

 Interested in this too running same sounder, but not doing any deep fishing yet, still building spots 50-70m

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Browndog's picture

Posts: 580

Date Joined: 10/04/12

GP1971

Mon, 2023-01-09 19:12

 How are you finding the sounder?

I'm loving it, big improvement being able to find ground at cruise and then go back over slowly to have a look in detail. Definitely a game changer for me, not sure how she will go in the deep stuff or if you need to look at 2-3kw units.

Cheers,

BD.

still trying's picture

Posts: 1017

Date Joined: 27/06/17

 Liking that you can mark on

Mon, 2023-01-09 20:58

 Liking that you can mark on the go too. Anytime I find good arches in 50m or so produces fish. But when I'm not finding good arches try find bait and drift that. Have found some areas that seem to hold fish. Have been switching between using 165hw and just 50/200 tranducer in the settings, which do you use get a much clearer picture when travelling when using 50/200 transducer setting , is this basically turning chirp off?

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Tim's picture

Posts: 2497

Date Joined: 26/09/06

Upgrade

Mon, 2023-01-09 21:21

Just did this upgrade on a mates boat. 

He is very happy and much better picture.

Browndog's picture

Posts: 580

Date Joined: 10/04/12

Depth

Tue, 2023-01-10 06:34

 Thanks Tim.

What sort of depth is he getting a good return at? Did he go TM260?

 

Cheers,

BD.

Tim's picture

Posts: 2497

Date Joined: 26/09/06

200m

Tue, 2023-01-10 22:23

From memory only out to the FAD's so far and could see bottom.

Is planning deeper once we get some better weather

Lefty 44's picture

Posts: 144

Date Joined: 04/12/17

1Kw

Tue, 2023-01-10 08:08

 It will find bottom at 250m if set up perfect but finding fish it may struggle unless conditions are perfect.

Up to 150m you'll be fne.

I recomend getting one still unless you are prepared to go 2-3kw.

 

Browndog's picture

Posts: 580

Date Joined: 10/04/12

1kW

Tue, 2023-01-10 18:03

 Thanks Lefty, good info.

2-3kW would be ideal, however from what I can see on Furuno USA website these are not compatible, and there isn't a "black box" that you can run on the GP1971, so I'm limited to the 1kW range.

 

Thanks for your input, like I said good info.

 

Cheers,

BD.

scubafish's picture

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Date Joined: 15/08/12

save your pennys

Tue, 2023-01-10 09:38
Browndog's picture

Posts: 580

Date Joined: 10/04/12

Thru Hull

Tue, 2023-01-10 17:59

 Thanks Scubafish, but unfortunately hull will not allow an in hull or thru hull transducer, so I'm limited to transom mount. But yes, you are correct, that would be best way to go.

 

Cheers,

BD.

tot's picture

Posts: 1148

Date Joined: 31/01/10

From my understanding

Tue, 2023-01-10 20:39

Most of the 1kw transducer's are actually 500w@50 and 500w@200, including the TM260. Happy to be corrected about that.

I have asked if going 2kw on a 588 is possible and the reply was go a 50/200-1T which I was told is 1kw@50 and 1kw@200. 
 

https://chsmith.com.au/Products/Furuno-CA50-2001T-1kw-Transducer.html

These can still be transom mounted using a custom mount, I think most through or in hull ones can. 

The examples below are 2 and 3kw 
 

https://fibreliteboats.com.au/fibrelite-marine-accessories-image-gallery/


 

 Edit, I have a 1971 and 588 using the B164. It works well on both units and have seen ok images up to 400m +  however I have only been out deep a couple of times and am still dialing it in. 

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Browndog's picture

Posts: 580

Date Joined: 10/04/12

Thanks

Wed, 2023-01-11 06:52

 Thanks Tot, I like the transom mount "adaptors", these could be a good option if TM260 isn't gonna do the job. Still think I'm limited to 1kw though as that's all the 1971 will support, and I can't see a compatible "module" to allow for a 2-3kW unit.

Cheers,

BD.

Frank F's picture

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Date Joined: 17/03/09

 What do you prefer picture

Wed, 2023-01-11 18:37

 What do you prefer picture wise 1971 or 588?

tot's picture

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Date Joined: 31/01/10

Hard to answer

Wed, 2023-01-11 21:29

Resolution, the 1971.

The height of the screen is the biggest win for the 588 as its better for bottom fishing.

I have some issues with the touch screen marking spots close to the track but that may still be user error. 

I have the 1971 flush mounted so dont always need the 588 on the boat which is handy when not just fishing. 

Also the 1971 is CHIRP capable if I ever go that way.

 

 

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scubafish's picture

Posts: 947

Date Joined: 15/08/12

???

Tue, 2023-01-10 20:35

not allow an in hull or thru hull transducer.

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http://img.gg/BQ91Sys

Browndog's picture

Posts: 580

Date Joined: 10/04/12

Cat

Wed, 2023-01-11 06:49

 Hi Scubafish.

Boat is a Powercat 2500, and hulls have a very sharp deadrise that runs all the way to the transom, so there is no "flat" section. Also have a trailer with skids that the bottom of the hulls rest on. Have had Taylor Marine and others look over it several times and by far the most practical method is a transom mount t/d.

Nothing is impossible, but it certainly wouldn't be straightforward.

I like the transom mount "adaptors" that Tot posted links to from Fibrelite boats allowing a thru-hull t/d to be transom mounted - that might be an option.

Cheers,

BD.

Browndog's picture

Posts: 580

Date Joined: 10/04/12

Update

Mon, 2023-03-13 19:31

 Hi all, just thought I'd post a bit of an update on this.

Went for the TM260, had the first trip out deep on the weekend. Seesm to be performing quite well, was holding ground at 26 knots in 200m plus depths no problems, so was happy with that. I need to figure out how to set up the bottom lock (I think it's called "range" on the 1971 units) as the display was showing the whole water column so not much detail on the bottom. Didn't see much activity in the 130-220m range at the FADS we visited, but by all accounts nobody was seeing any fish (at least according to the other boats we spoke to out there). Unit was picking up what I thought were bait schools, just no predators around.

On the way back in I marked several spots that looked good at 22-28 knots, all in less than 100m. Picked them up at speed and marked them, than came back around slowly and every one that I had marked at speed looked the goods, was frustrating not being able to drop a line down that's for sure.

Stopped in the 30's for some whiting on the way back in and picked up some tuna that were busting up 50 m from us. For the next hour kept seeing the bait schools and clearly seeing the tuna hanging around them. Obviously don't need a 1kW t/d for this but was good to see anyway.

Overall pretty happy so far, a bit of fine tuning (only factory settings so far) and still would like to see some activity at depth, but so far so good. Very happy to be clearly picking up ground/fish at good speed for sure. Alex at All Marine Services did a great job on the install again, with a great picture at speed without any adjustments to angles etc - they obviously know what they are doing.

Cheers,

BD.

still trying's picture

Posts: 1017

Date Joined: 27/06/17

 Good to hear you are happy,

Mon, 2023-03-13 20:03

 Good to hear you are happy, would be very annoying to find them marks and not be able to drop only afew weeks now though.

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