What is Down Imaging on a Fishfinder? – Delving Deeper  

By Wade Johnson

What is Down Imaging on a FishfinderYou might have been using different sonars and fishfinders, but they might not have given the results that you wanted. Down Imaging is a new technology that is much more productive in comparison to traditional two-dimensional sonar. It is a device that fulfills your needs by providing a clear view of things beneath your boat.

Down imaging is a technology that comes at an affordable cost, is easy to use, and is more productive. For this reason, it is popular amongst fishers. What differentiates down imaging from side imaging is the vertical view of the water that it provides. Thus, it can be more helpful in fishing in deep water. If you feel that simple 2D sonar or a side imaging finder is not helping you, you can shift to a down imaging fish finder.

Down Imaging fishfinder comes with its pros and cons based on the context where it is used. It is for this reason advised that the user checks the complete details of the device before opting for one. In some cases, a down imaging device might not work well while a side imaging device performs well.

Here we discuss it in detail.

Down Imaging: An Introduction

As evident from the name, a down imaging fish finder is a device that helps you look in detail into what is beneath your boat. It provides a vertical perspective in water using clear images of the given area. The fishfinder later uses this data to see if the area can be productive in fishing. The signals that it provides are translated on the screen using software, and it represents a realistic view of what is in the water.

Though casually used for different down imaging devices, this name is specifically patented by Humminbird. Other companies have named their devices differently, like DSI, DownVü, etc. The technology behind these devices is the same and works on sending vertical signals in water.

Down Imaging technology can best benefit the fisher in deep waters. It can prove to be a game-changer by providing detailed images of a given area in chasing fish schools, scanning areas for debris, etc. It can also be of great interest to those interested in discovering submerged objects in the water.

The frequencies that the down imaging fishfinder uses for data collection are 455kHz and 800kHz. The prior one is used for clear image quality, while the latter is used for the best possible image resolution. The comparative advantage of down imaging to side imaging is their clear images and resolution, even if the boat is moving at a very high speed.

The down imaging is best for fishers because it focuses on a specific area, providing clear details. This ensures that the fisher stays focused and gets better results. Despite the benefits of using a down imaging device, the importance of side imaging can’t be denied because of each of these works best in certain conditions. It gives precise results, and it can also pinpoint areas for you on the map.

Comparison of Down Imaging to Side Imaging

The names of the two fishfinders are self-explanatory in the purpose they serve. The first one, as said earlier, helps with the depiction of the area beneath the boat, while the second one helps with the imaging of side-views of the boat. Thus, each serves well based on the needs of the fisher.

Down Imaging is best for troller fishers who have to cruise fast. It helps the fishers have a complete view of the target area vertically, and they don’t miss the target. In comparison, side imaging can be helpful in shallow water, as it provides the view of sideways in detail. The fisher is able to see if there is a school of fish that can be easily caught. The problem with side imaging fishfinder is the precision; it doesn’t provide a detailed picture. For this reason, the fisher might miss spotting fish.

The cons of using a down imaging device include missing the sideways and having no idea of what is around the boat. Each of these two has its own problems and imperfections. It is upon your needs that you decide which one befits your needs. Many fishers use these two technologies in combination to see a complete view of the area around and beneath the boat.

How does a Down Imaging Fishfinder Work?

The working idea of down imaging fishfinder is simple. The transducer emits signals in the target area. Once these signals return, they are intercepted and decoded. The decoded data appears on the screen, which is in the form of a realistic image. The fisher can use this image to know if the target area has fish.

It helps you see the area beneath the boat. An additional pro of this device is the clear images that it provides. These help with clearly seeing fish in water. It is different from sonar because of the ability to identify fish. In contrast, sonar doesn’t provide details of the objects in the water. The enhanced level of clarity makes down imaging fishfinder a choice for many fishers.

If you can afford it, a combination of down and side imaging can provide you amazing results in fishing, thus increasing your productivity.

Benefits of using Down Imaging Fishfinder

Here are some of the pro benefits of using a down imaging device for fishing.

    • These are productive in deep water as they provide a clear image of the target area vertically.
    • They can capture images while the boat is moving, and it doesn’t impact the quality of images.
    • It provides a clear resolution, thus making it easier for the fisher to do their job.
    • The clear picture that a down imaging fishfinder provides helps save time and resources. Fisher is able to identify easily where the fish is.
    • Instead of taking long whiles, a down imaging fish finder takes a short span of time for scanning. Despite less time taken, it presents high-resolution images.

Conclusion

Based on the above discussion, you can decide either if the down imaging device is good for you or a side imaging device fits your needs. If you can afford the combination of the two, it can provide perfect results.

If you are fishing in deep water, then the best fit for you is a down imaging fish finder. It not only makes identification of the fish easy but also helps save time. You can purchase one to make your fishing experience pleasing.

Wade Johnson
Latest posts by Wade Johnson (see all)