my not so level mega side imiging transducer

[mt72916]

They say ignorance is bliss lol. Seen YouTube about checking transducer angle in relation to the boat on the water using quarters and a level.
I made my check and found I was off 1 inch from front to rear of my fixed mount mega-side imaging transducer.

What is the opinion about this being off like this? I could rotate the center section from front to rear, but it would be troublesome.

Would it be worth the effort?

20231120_214458.jpg


20231120_214654.jpg

[SLYDoggie]

If your transducer isn't level with the surface of the water when fishing, it can really affect the quality of the imaging. If it's really off, you won't even get decent 2D fish arches but would get diagonal streaks going left or right, depending on which direction your transducer is off.

An easy way to check and adjust your transducer angle without a lot of effort is to troll/idle parallel and close to a bridge piling with Down Image. If the top of the bridge piling slants to the left, the back of the transducer needs to be tilted down. If the top of the bridge piling slants to the right, the back of the transducer needs to be tilted up. The more severe the tilt, the more tilted the transducer is.

It may take a few iterations to get it perfect, but when the bridge piling is perfectly vertical, you are ready to go. You will be amazed at how much better everything looks when the transducer is level with the surface of the water.

[DonnieG]

Is this what you are talking about? Never mind, you said DI

[Wayne P.]

Is this what you are talking about? Never mind, you said DI

SI and DI will show horizontal installation. SI does it better since you don't have to be as close to a subject and you get the shadows to further indicate horizontal. My SI transducer is not adjustable for angle, so it is aft down tilted when scanning.

[SLYDoggie]

Is this what you are talking about? Never mind, you said DI

Side Imaging will do the same thing as DI. Based on this picture, it appears that your transducer is pretty much spot on... If this is your transducer.

[bobcoy]

Keep in mind, If big Bubba is fishing with you, your leveling will go out the window . Front to back and side to side. Best you can do is on normal loading conditions. Close on a boat is about as good as it gets. Your pic looks ok to me. JMO Bob

[DonnieG]

it is aft down tilted when scanning.

Does this mean that you tilt the rear of your transducer down more when scanning

[Wayne P.]

it is aft down tilted when scanning.

Does this mean that you tilt the rear of your transducer down more when scanning

Mine is that way since it is on a custom plate attached to the underside of the transom step==I can't change the angle. The boat sits bow high in the water so that orientates the transducer aft tilted down.
I have it this way due to the stumps in Briery Creek, the regular transom mount would be destroyed in a few minutes there.

[DonnieG]

I see now how you have your transducer mounted and I know how Briery Creek can tear up transducers.

I normally set my transducer with 2D and fish arches. Is this not a good way

[SLYDoggie]

I see now how you have your transducer mounted and I know how Briery Creek can tear up transducers.

I normally set my transducer with 2D and fish arches. Is this not a good way

If you are getting good overall even fish arches, then your transducer is pretty level with the surface. You will always have some arches which won't be even because the fish aren't always swimming level and may enter and exit the cone at different speeds.

[DonnieG]

You will always have some arches which won't be even because the fish aren't always swimming level and may enter and exit the cone at different speeds.

Good point...I hope the OP got something out of his thread. I didn't mean to Hi Jack it.

[Pelican]

Mine is aft down also after a stump encounter. It’s probably 3/4-1” off and I can’t tell any difference in quality of image in normal use.