Vexilar Sonar Phone

[clm]

Anyone have any experience or know someone that has? It is about the same price as some of the popular units, but it uses the cell phone (which I always have with me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F01MU7lz4XA

http://sonarphone.mobi/


**I called them this morning. They do not have anything in the works strictly for kayaks...The suction cup mount only mounts one way. I explained to them about not having a flat vertical surface on my kayak. I asked about the scupper holes. I had asked if it would be possible for a circle to be added to the top of the teapot. I could then add some paracord and secure it easily up through the scupper. It would work that way...it is too big to come thru, but being buoyant, it would stay easily with some cord on top...he suggested I drill a hole in the fin, and run the line through the front ring....That could work too. He asked that if I set it up, send them a pic of how I am using it. I could always tow it behind, or mount it to the front, maybe on an extension or something...I want to know what is under, or directly in front of me...not what I've already past. Something simple and easy to take on and off. This may work out. I plan on downloading the app and playing around with it in demo mode and searching for more reviews before I purchase one. They were very friendly on the phone though. Thumbs up for that.

[J.A. Veil]

I have no knowledge of the product, but I'm pretty sure the spokesman on the video was the renowned Ron Popeil of Ronco products fame (e.g., the Ronco Pocket Fisherman). I have not seen Ron in a while.

[clm]

They have been making fish finders for awhile. I've found quite a few products now that I've searched.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[Tim Moore]

I have been using the Sonarphone T-Pod this season and I love it. I have always been a flasher guy, so getting used to the display and controls was a bit cumbersome. After the first couple of times using it I found it to be very helpful. Flashers are great for determining hard from soft bottom, locating fish, and seeing your jig, but the sonarphone is awesome for finding structure. Finding structure is huge when fishing crappie or even saltwater species such as black sea bass. I knew I was sold when I got very upset that I forgot it yesterday and kept wishing I had remembered it.

The four hour battery runtime might seem short, but I don't use it non-stop. If I'm casting into shore I don't need it and I just take it out of the water so it shuts itself off. I did by an external battery charger just in case, but I've yet to use it.

I do not like wearing the arm band for my smartphone, I like being able to put my phone wherever I want it and leave it there.

About the only thing I dislike is the fact that I have to disconnect from the T-Pod Wifi in order to connect to email or facebook (if I want to post a real-time photo.)

FYI, the spokesman on the video is Tom Zanenko, not Ron Popeil...but I did have a pocket fisherman

[clm]

Thanks for the info. I am leaning towards ordering the fish finder unit. Using my phone is a big plus and it will be easy to transfer across my 3 yaks. I'm thinking a loop of 550 cord to the tpod unit, through the scupper hole will allow me to slide the unit into place under the yak, then back to the side of the yak, out of the water to turn it off.

[Tim Moore]

The great thing about the T-Pod is there is no mounting. It floats, so all you need to do is tether it and let it float about. If you are fishing toward shore you can tie it to a rod (with strong line) and cast it into shore to get shoreline water temps and bottom readings. Very convenient.

[Cowpokey]

I wonder how it would work completely submerged under the hull, since it uses WiFi? Reminds me of the Humminbird Smartcast, but with color via smartphone screen.

[clm]

The WiFi is supposed to transmit 100 yards. I would think 2 feet under the outback, through the scupper hole to my phone shouldn't give it problems. If that doesn't work I'm sure I could rig an arm or an extra rod to keep it right next to and in front of me.

[Cowpokey]

The WiFi is supposed to transmit 100 yards. I would think 2 feet under the outback, through the scupper hole to my phone shouldn't give it problems. If that doesn't work I'm sure I could rig an arm or an extra rod to keep it right next to and in front of me.

I was more commenting on it being submerged, not distance. I don't know how 2.4 or 5 GHz (what every this unit uses) transmits though water?

[clm]

10-4.

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[Homebrew76]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum and thought I'd add my 2 cents on the Vexilar Sonarphone unit.

I tried this out a month or so back and intially was not impressed as the readings seemed to be all over the place. Turns out I still had it in demo mode! Once I was able to get past demo mode and run it correctly, I quickly came to find this is a pretty sweet little unit! For someone that has multiple kayaks (and a canoe like myself), you really can't ask for a more portable unit. I tie mine on to about 5 feet of 20 lb mono, attach it to a rod holder and then drop it over the side anytime I want to use it. In calm water, choppy water, or even trolling it, I have found that the readings are consistent and accurate. I hadn't expected to be able to paddle with this unit, but I can and that is definately a nice added bonus.

I have had it out in as deep as 150 feet of water and other than adjust the gain, have not had to do anything to get the readings to show up clear on the phone, so I'm definately a happy user.

Really the only problem I have, which isn't with the unit itself, is being able to read my phone's screen in the sunlight out on the water. It is more a problem of my sunglasses, plus the otterbox case I keep my phone in and nothing at all to do with the Sonarphone.

Being able to use it in either of my kayaks, or in canoe when out with the boys is a great feature.

If I were to request any upgrades it would be to have a way to change out the battery on longer (overnight) trips. 4 hours is tons when out for an afternoon, as I wouldn't leave it running the whole time, but on one of the longer trips, I can see myself wearing it out, or using it less frequently in hopes of avoiding running out of juice. I carry spare batteries for my phone and GoPro for just this reason.

[Cowpokey]

I tried this out a month or so back and intially was not impressed as the readings seemed to be all over the place. Turns out I still had it in demo mode!

We're not laughing AT you, we're laughing WITH you.

Good info, thanks for sharing...and welcome aboard Joe.

[clm]

Thanks Joe, that's what I was hoping to hear. I don't really need a unit with GPS. If I'm on the fish, I take a screenshot of my location with my phone anyway. Thanks again for info.