Fish Finder Software PDA

zebedee · #1 (**permalink**) 27-04-2005, 09:23 AM

Hi

I am just wondering IF there are any software programs out there to convert the PDA into a Fish Finder and perhaps a wired or bluetooth transducer. IF NOT then WHY NOT???? Seems they have made the PDA into everything else so why not a fish finder????

Surely there will be a huge demand for this software lets face it the PDA can already be transformed into a Satnav for a car OR walking. Movie player. MP3 player. calculator. Phone. Games console. Sea faring GPS log system more than adequate for the BIG boats let alone the small etc etc etc so a step in the fish finder direction seems like a small step. There are NO MAPS needed just the simple programming and the Transducer of decent power to reach a couple of hundred feet down (lets say about 250-300 for arguments sake) No doubt the price of the transducers will reflect the depth they will read to. But seriously though if there are any programmers read this thread come on get your skates on there is a market of keen boat owners and fishermen who would be looking for software JUST LIKE THIS to convert their PDA's into a fish finder. Hell it is everything else so why not one more step?? If i could do programming myself i would DO IT MYSELF but i have not the brains nor the know how but I hope to see some results fairly soon on this front. Thanks

Zeb

**Charlie** · #2 (**permalink**) 27-04-2005, 12:32 PM

Welcome to our forums.
Maybe someone is working on just such a system as we type.
To be honest though, you are the first person to mention such a use for the PDA that I've heard of but I'm sure more people would be interested. You never know whats around the corner.

zebedee · #3 (**permalink**) 27-04-2005, 05:52 PM

Then perhaps a Poll could be arranged to find JUST howmany people would find it either useful or helpful????. I think it would be a great addition to an already fantastic platform.

Zeb

**Charlie** · #4 (**permalink**) 27-04-2005, 05:56 PM

By all means...poll away

jo-briggs · #5 (**permalink**) 27-04-2005, 07:14 PM

Are you expecting Sandisk, or someone of that ilk, to supply the through hull transducer, making sure it's fitted exactly vertically etc.? Would your PDA check for leaks? If the boat is already fitted with the transducer, it's unlikely not to have the rest of the gear.

zebedee · #6 (**permalink**) 27-04-2005, 10:03 PM

A transducer doesn't need to be exactly vertical and most can be fitted on a small mount on the rear of the boat if some common sense is used. Personally speaking i would really prefer to have just 1 unit onboard my small boat rather than multiple units for different tasks that COULD feasibly be utalised into ONE unit. The transducer can be either a hard wired compatible with the expansion socket on the PDA or a Bluetooth device and as i don't HAVE a fish finder at present i also have no transducer. Even if i did it would not be any use as it wouldn't be compatible with the PDA. This is WHY i brought this subject up to HOPEFULLY get someone out there interested enough to produce such software and of course a compatible transducer not much unlike the GPS modules we have for Sat Nav. Oh and MY boat don't leak. Would be a bit pointless going out in a boat that DOES. Unless i can use the PDA as a distress flare too??

Zeb