Depends what you are trying to accomplish. If you are just trying to tell the depth at 1,500' then a 1kw transducer with a low frequency should accomplish it. If you are trying to want to spot fish and get a more detailed picture of the bottom, then you will probably need to step up into a 2kw or 3kw transducer. The mounting location of the transducer can also affect performance. A medium frequency at that depth will provide more detail than a low frequency, but 1 kw is the minimum power you need. High frequency will probably not work (or very well) at that depth with 1kw. Low frequency should read bottom, but the lower frequency results in less detail but the furthest water penetration

Garmin's website provides information regarding the compatibility of the GSD 26 with their various MFD models.

 

Thanks 40Marlin. I’m not overly concerned with seeing every single detail however I would like a kind of “ in the middle” capability sounder/ transducer to spot structure or fish. I really don’t need to see if the fish are winking at me like some other folks. 😄

I have looked at Garmin’s website but was hoping that I could get some real world feedback. Thanks again!

Gus

 

I have a garmin 8612 with GSD24 and a 1KW thru hull and still can’t read bottom past 400-650’ . I usually loose bottom somewhere in between those depths. I’ve battled this issue for awhile and from what I can tell, you need to spend 2-4K more on a better transducer to actually be able to read up to 2000’.

 

Upgrade your gsd 22 to a gsd 25. Only get the 26 if you want to push a 2kw-3kw transducer. A thru hull is best but only if your hull is not cored. Otherwise a TM or shoot thru is your only option. Mounting is key and very important.

LagunaMoon your system should read much deeper than 600’ if you’re running an 8600 series plotter and a 1kw ducer, unless it’s a high only frequency. Even then it should read deeper, may try to adjust some settings or check the mounting location. My old 1kw would mark bottom in 3200’-3400’ but that was a trolling or less speed...

 

I had the same issue so I bought the garmin 1040xs that had 1 kw capabilities and got me a 1 kw transducer and I read bottom out at 17-1,800' all day long when we are swordfishing.

 

I have a chirp tm265 hooked up to a Furuno 295, I am very pleased with it. It works well, never acts up, I can't update the software if I wanted to. The prices have come down on it. Furuno has done extensive testing with the tm265, it does well around 42kHz and 130kHz, so those are the two frequencies I run. The gsd25 would be the cheapest option ($700) if it is comparable with your screen. I prefer a separate dedicated, tall screen. The Simrad s2009 for $1000 might be another option.

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Check the settings and make sure your unit is sending the low frequency signal.

 

I believe I have tried my settings but will try again: I really appreciate everyones comments. Keep em coming as I am trying to see which is my best best. Thank you all!!

Gus

 

Upgrade the Box to GDS 24 and switch to a 1kw Traditional transducer and you will see a HUGE upgrade. I did that on my Luhrs and it made a big difference. Went from 300 ft to Well over 2k feet. I actually got over 3k ft at Gunnison on a flat day with a freshly bottom painted hull and cleaned ducer.

New boat has 7612 so B175 chirp is going in tomorrow so that will be a totally different ballgame.

 

https://www.2coolfishing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1197034

Here is a thread about it as well. Trust me. you wont regret it. Unless you plan on replacing the whole unit, and if you do, go with at b175

 

What’s up Daren?? Pics of new boat?

 

What’s up Daren?? Pics of new boat?

All good, working on getting everything finished on the boat to go fishing Friday for a day trip to the shelf. Just added autopilot, 2nd screen, all new speakers and sub, with new amp and B175 Ducer.

She is coming together nicely! Heavy wide boat with 300G fuel capacity!

 

Hope this helps

I have a 2007 26' Glacier Bay with two separate Garmin systems.
The primary system is a 4212 with GSD 24 and Airmar TM260 transducer (huge) which was an improvement. It is okay to about 450' but begins to lose the bottom. I added the GSD 24 and TM 260 in 2013 and expected much better performance, especially for the cost. My secondary system is a 3210 with GSD 22 and transducer (can't recall model). Up to 300 feet the 3210 is as good as the 4212/GSD24/TM260. Bottom line, spend the money to get the better system.

Thru Hull question - There was not enough room to install a thru hull transducer due to the 120 gallon gas tanks. Probably okay if you have 80 gallon tanks.
Huge Transducer question. Huge but not a problem

I cannot recall if the 4212 was Chirp capable but I thought that the Chrip was too pricey and that a better transducer and GSD 24 would be good enough for 90 miles out of San Luis pass.

 

I have a 2007 26' Glacier Bay with two separate Garmin systems.

The primary system is a 4212 with GSD 24 and Airmar TM260 transducer (huge) which was an improvement. It is okay to about 450' but begins to lose the bottom. I added the GSD 24 and TM 260 in 2013 and expected much better performance, especially for the cost. My secondary system is a 3210 with GSD 22 and transducer (can't recall model). Up to 300 feet the 3210 is as good as the 4212/GSD24/TM260. Bottom line, spend the money to get the better system.

Thru Hull question - There was not enough room to install a thru hull transducer due to the 120 gallon gas tanks. Probably okay if you have 80 gallon tanks.

Huge Transducer question. Huge but not a problem

I cannot recall if the 4212 was Chirp capable but I thought that the Chrip was too pricey and that a better transducer and GSD 24 would be good enough for 90 miles out of San Luis pass.

The gsd24 was supposedly a huge improvement over the gsd22. The tm260 is the non-chirp version of the tm265. You should be reading bottom beyond 2,000', and marking fish over 1,000'. I would check your settings, I assume your tm260 isn't shooting through the fiberglass hull.

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