Is my Humminbird compatible with p79 in-hull transducer

[BTF112989]

hey guys!
When I bought my boat, the last owner had an airmar P79 transducer installed inside the bilge.  He had a Garmin fishfinder in his t-top to use with this transducer.  When he de-rigged the boat, the previous owner just cut the cord right where the Garmin plug fitting was in the console.  So I am left with this transducer installed correctly, but with no plug to go into a unit.  Is there anyway I can splice a humminbird connector onto the end of the cord without major interference or false readings?

Or is it better to just buy a new airmar P79 that will fit my humminbird?  The problem with this transducer is that it was not intended to be compatible with a humminbird.  However, I have found a website that sells the P79 transducer online with a general fitting on the end & a humminbird adapter cable to make it work with my unit.  Will this work, or is it a risky purchase?  
Here is a link:
http://www.blueheronmarine.com/Humminbird-P79-Fishfinder-Transducer-P79-HB-7545

I have the transducer that you screw into the transom that came with the unit, but I'm a little paranoid with holes in my transom below the waterline.  My last boat's transom had a ton of water intrusion...

Would yall do the in-hull route or screw into the transom & 5200 the hell out of it.  I do like the temperature reading on my original transducer, but I will lose that with the in-hull transducer.

Thanks!
Ben

[John Jones]

The last time I checked the Airmar web site they had a cross-reference table as to what their transducers would work with.  They also sell cable splice boxes..

[BTF112989]

I looked on the airmar website awhile back & humminbird is not compatible with the optional plug ends on their transducers.  I will try to look for the splice box you referred to in your post.  I just want the splice to connect well & not cause alot of interference.  If I am able to splice into it, that would be awesome & a lot cheaper.

[seabob4]

Ben,
I happen to have a little Key West 17 at the house that is going to get a Humminbird combo unit (can't remember the model), I'll look at the ducer in the morn and see if it's an Airmar...probably is, but it's a transom mount.  The only Humminbirds I have been doing lately have been the 997/1197 types with side-scan, a totally different animal...

[GoneFission]

Ben - which model 'Bird do you have?  Hummers use several different ducers depending on model, so are 80 mHz, some 120, some 455.  Some are dual frequency and some are quads (4 transducers in a single head).  Side scan models are unique and no other ducers will work with them.  You can get a Humminbird transducer that will shoot through the hull for not too much $$$ so depending on model that may be your best option.  But don't use 5200 - use epoxy to bond it to the hull if you want a solid reading on your sonar.

[BTF112989]

Thanks for checking into that SeaBob!
I believe(the fishfinder & boat is 140 miles away from me right now) I have the matrix 27 fishfinder.  The spec sheet on it says its a dual frequency unit.  200 KHz & 83 KHz with 20 degree & 60 degree sonar beam outputs.  I bought it back in 2006 for my old boat & it serves its purpose for what I am doing with it.  I have thought about upgrading(sounder/chartplotter/gps) if a new transducer is going to be a good portion of the cost of a whole new unit, but if I can do it cheaply enough I will just keep what I have.

http://www.rivermarinesupply.com/xcart/catalog/product_11470_Humminbird_Matrix_27.html

Is a matrix 27 ancient technology by now?

I've seen some of the newer units with the sounder, temp, and paddlewheel for speed all located on one transducer mount, which I would love to have.  Mine requires another sensor for speed.

Thanks!
-Ben

[seabob4]

Is a matrix 27 ancient technology by now?

I've seen some of the newer units with the sounder, temp, and paddlewheel for speed all located on one transducer mount, which I would love to have.  Mine requires another sensor for speed.

Thanks!
-Ben

Pretty much, Ben.  Hell, it seems anything prior '10 is ancient these days!

Transom mount ducers actually are fairly cheap.  And lets face it, what a transom mount sees and what a shoot-through sees is almost the same thing.  As far as speed, what you really want is GPS speed.  Hell, I've got an older Furuno GPS 32 you might be interested in.  Antenna as well...http://www.furunousa.com/products/produ ... +Receivers

[BTF112989]

I guess that makes sense if you are heading upstream into a 5 mph current your speed will be all thrown off by the paddle wheel type of speedometer on a transducer.  Wouldn't be a big deal, but still a little off nevertheless.

[seabob4]

Paddle wheels are typically inaccurate at slow speeds, more accurate as speed increases, just the opposite of pitot-tube type speedos...

With GPS, your speed is shown as SOG, which is the speed in relation to how far and how fast you are traveling in relation to one point to another, as opposed to how fast you going, SOW.  SOG allows us distance traveled, as well as computing MPG.  GPH is...well, GPH.  Imagine calculating GPH when traveling downstream, with a 15 MPH wind at your back, moving at 25 MPH versus traveling upstream, same wind in your face.  GPH would be way different, although loads and speed the same both directions...

[GoneFission]

Thanks for checking into that SeaBob!
Is a matrix 27 ancient technology by now?
Thanks!
-Ben

Ben - yes, a Matrix 27 is a little out of date.  However, there are a couple Hummers that have nice features, but seem to go cheap on eBay.  Maybe cuz they don't have all the bells and whistles - don't know.     One of my favorites that is under rated in the 788C - color/gps/high resolution sonar, temp, speed, etc.  Navionics hotmaps/gold compatible.  These seem to go cheap - jump on one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hummingbird-788 ... 4162356742

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Humminbird-Fish ... 416223457b

[BTF112989]

I appreciate the links to those humminbirds Gone Fission!
I am not really loyal to a specific brand of fishfinder or gps.  The Matrix 27 was a birthday present from my grandfather back in 2006 because I was 16 at the time & couldn't afford a high-dollar unit.

Hell, I still can't afford a high-dollar unit being that I'm 22 & still in school.  A nice GPS/chartplotter could be bought for what textbooks cost each semester.

So, with that being said, I'll keep the 788C in mind for the future, but I'm going to probably try to keep the Matrix 27 until it goes haywire on me.  

Thinking about it now, I might have to buy a new transducer anyway or an extension cable for my original transducer, since the distance from the transom to the console is 18' on my boat.  Not sure if my existing one will reach.  Hopefully, I can find a way to splice into the cable on the airmar P79 that is already in the boat.  Otherwise I'll probably be buying a new transom mount transducer that will reach my console.

Anyone have any idea of the length of a standard transducer cable is?

Sorry for asking all of these simple questions.  With my boat being two hours away from me, its not easy to find out all of the measurements I need to make a decision.

-Ben

[seabob4]

Ben,
You CAN lengthen a ducer cable.  No matter what Airmar or anyone else might say.  Notice on the tag it says "Do not cut the transducer cable, this will void the warranty"...well, I don't think you have to worry about that now!  Done it a bunch of times.  You can also splice a NMEA 2000 cable, for anyone interested...

[BTF112989]

I may try to just buy a used dual beam transducer extension cord or a used transducer with the right fitting on the end off of eBay. Then use that cord with the correct fitting to splice into my already cut airmar P79 transducer cord.

I'm guessing if that one company online is selling the airmar transducer with an adapter plug to fit the humminbird, then the airmar is compatible with the dual beam on the humminbird. Therefore, the splice should work & be compatible in theory.

Anyone have tips on splicing a cable like this? I was thinking twist the actual inner wires together and/or solder them together instead of just crimping them into a fitting. The connection should be better that way. Then put all the metal foil back around the soldered splice. Finally, liquid electrical tape it, then heat shrink tubing around the liquid electrical tape. Hoping that will be solid enough.

-Ben

[BTF112989]

Does anyone know where I could find the plug end of a humminbird dual beam transducer cable?  

I need the plug part that actually connects into the head unit of my matrix 17.  I can't justify spending $35 for the 10' extension cable only to cut the head off in order to splice it onto my existing cable.

I have my transom mount transducer still, but I would like to keep it intact in case I end up needing to use that type of transducer.  So, I can't cut the plug end off of that.

Does anyone know of a cheaper cable with the correct end on it I can buy somewhere?

My plan is to splice into the airmar in hull transducer if I can find a plug for the end of the cable.  If that ends up not working for some reason, then I will take my transom mount transducer, buy the 10' extension cable for it, and mount it up that way.  I'm just looking for a way to not drill a hole in the transom of my boat. Also, the in hull transducer is already mounted up!

Thanks!
-Ben