Lowrance Self Leveling Transducer

[BobT]

While out fishing the other day I realized that I have no need for my Vexilar FL-8SE. I have a Lowrance X67C mounted on the bow of my boat and I always bring it inside for winter storage. I found that there is a Lowrance Universal Portable Pack that I can put that in and use it in the winter. All I will need is a base mount and a transducer. What I have been unable to understand or figure out is how does the Lowrance self leveling transducer work? I've attached the only photo I have found so far and I don't see any means to float it so I'm trying to find out how it is used or hung. Do I need other accesories for this? I see I can buy Vexilar floats and cable stoppers for minimal cost if necessary. 

 

[AlwaysFishing23]

Just get a vexilar float and stopper. $5. Problem solved. 

[Musky hunter 82]

You can also just use a pool noodle, make a slit in the side and you're good to go.  By the way I used my Hook 7 on the ice this year and it worked great, I didn't care for the flasher setting and just used the graph mode.  I also used an Elite 3x for a while but it had a hard time seeing my 5mm tungsten jig in anything over 20' of water.

[vtx1029]

I do the same as said above get the vex float kit and away you go. I believe Lowrance had to do it that way due to patents vex has. 

[AlwaysFishing23]

5 hours ago, vtx1029 said:

I do the same as said above get the vex float kit and away you go. I believe Lowrance had to do it that way due to patents vex has. 

 

I believe so. The only bad part about using the float is when fishing panfish the transducer floats in the middle of the hole and you end up losing a lot of fish due to tangling in the ducer.

[Musky hunter 82]

Not sure about the patents but I purchased the Elite 3x all season pack and the transducer came with a foam float and a rubber grommet to hold it in place, not the little metal self leveling wire.  It did come with a rubber hose that they recommend that you run through the hole in the top of the transducer and hang it by that but I could never get it to hang straight so I got rid of that and just use the transducer cable.

[BobT]

4 hours ago, AlwaysFishing23 said:

 

I believe so. The only bad part about using the float is when fishing panfish the transducer floats in the middle of the hole and you end up losing a lot of fish due to tangling in the ducer.

Drill two holes side-by-side. One for the transducer and one for fishing. Problem solved! 

 

[AlwaysFishing23]

Good point I know people do it all the time. I never remember to.

[vtx1029]

14 hours ago, AlwaysFishing23 said:

 

I believe so. The only bad part about using the float is when fishing panfish the transducer floats in the middle of the hole and you end up losing a lot of fish due to tangling in the ducer.

You could also put an arm on it like marcum does, that way you can push it to the side of the hole.

[AlwaysFishing23]

12 hours ago, vtx1029 said:

You could also put an arm on it like marcum does, that way you can push it to the side of the hole.

 

 I use the transducer support arm on my vexilar ultra pack slips over the rod holder but I don't like to use it when hole hoping but when set up in a wheel house or something I like to use it then.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I would just let the transducer hand down the side of the hole.

I removed the arm on my MarCum because it was always in the way and just let the cable and transducer hang down the side of the hole and it works fine.

Just have to move it once in a while so that it does not freeze to the top of the ice if it is cold out side.

Cliff

[Wanderer]

I have a Lowrance 522 that I put on an ice  pack and added the Vexilar float.  The main reason was for the GPS while riding to fishing spots and may as well have the backup sonar.

 

I still use my Marcum for most of my fishing though since the 522 goes through batteries faster and the flasher mode isn't quite real time.  Close but not quite.

 

I broke the arm on my Marcum once but just replaced that section with a flat piece of aluminum.  It works good enough that I haven't put the repaired plastic section back on.  So there's an idea for ya.  Just make a 2 piece arm that pivots off your ice kit.

 

I'll land fish with the ducer in the hole if they're not big but once I know I have a good one on, that ducer comes out!  Keeping it on a short leash helps that removal process stay quick and fluid.