Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Got this as a gift for Christmas when I was shopping with the wife at BassPro here in Orlando. I had been researching these units for a few days after reading about one online. The fact that I could cast out from the shore appealed to me so I chose one of the smartcast models. BassPro had the RF10 on sale and the R15 was the price I had expected the R10 to be so I went with the R15. It includes grey scale and water temp as part of the upgrades from the R10 series.
Over the past two weeks I've taken the R15 out to 4-5 lakes around my area to test it out. Provided I do a nice steady retrive a smooth display of the bottom is presented. I have also seen a fair amount of fish on the display using the Fish ID function. From what I have read on various newgroup posts this feature should generaly be turned OFF. Instead one is supposed to learn how to identify fish using "raw" sonar returns. So far I have not seen any "fish arches". I have a feeling I might need to be in deeper water for this to occur.
Overall the detail is nice and there are four options for displaying the 4 gradations of grey in ordet to highlight either weak or strong returns. One of the limilations of using this near the shore is that is does not do well with shallow depths. It lists 2 feet as the minumum but even depths of 3 feet and a bit more seem to confuse it, giving false returns. I have not tested its actual ability to recognize a return as a fish yet. I say this becuase so far I have not taken my tackle out, just the fishfinder in order to concentrate on learning it. I think I will try adding some bait to a line and attaching this to the small hole provided on the bottom of the RSS to see if it will show any fishing coming up to check it out.
I have had the unit lock up here and there, but unpluging the power cable and reinserting it and then turning on the unit again seems to have solved it. The other day I was getting some weird temp readings, it went from 40F and then back to the correct temp of 71F a few times. I also expienced an anomoly with the display. When set to "Black" mode for bottom detail the unit was only displaying 10H/6V pixels of resolution. Not sure what was up with that and I haven't tested it since then. Perhaps its a battery thing.
Overall I'm really happy with the unit. Sure is nice to be able to see contours of a lake as well as know if fish are in the area. Although the Fish ID might not be perfect you at least know that if nothing is showing on the screen at all to move somewhere else so as to not waste time.
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The Humminbird Smartcast RF15 is a fishfinder designed for the recreational angler ready for a step up from traditional fishing and offers an unmatched level of convenience. This fishfinder may be small, but it has plenty of built-in capabilities, and can provide you with the ultimate in portable sonar in a simple, rugged package.
The Smartcast RF15 utilizes a traditional, single-beam 90-degree sonar to deliver ultra-wide coverage equal to twice the water depth up to 100 feet deep. Vital information is displayed on a big, 3.875-inch display with 160x132 lines of resolution, in a true four-level grayscale that delivers clearly better images of the bottom, fish and structure. The large, easy-to-see digital readout includes a backlight for night fishing, and is powered by eight AA (not included) batteries. This system is designed to be waterproof, and has a 100-foot operating range allowing you to easily travel around without losing your signal.
The Smartcast RF15 comes with a waterproof, programmable Advanced RSS (remote sonar system) for either Channel A or B operation mode, as well as a rugged carrying case with a non-skid bottom and RSS storage. The new illuminated, advanced RSS includes water surface temperature, typically lasts for 500 hours of in-the-water usage, and allows you to purchase replacements that are available on the manufacturer's web site, as well as at your local tackle dealer and major outdoor retailers. The Smartcast RF15 features one-touch menu navigation that allows you to easily control FishID+, depth range, fish alarm, and sensitivity, as well as Wet Switch technology that maximizes battery life by automatically shutting down when the Advanced RSS is out of the water. For those who like to travel light and go fishing anywhere and everywhere, this system is the perfect companion.
What's in the Box RF15 control head, advanced remote sonar sensor, portable carry case, and operation manual.
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