How Sensative should a Furuno FCV620/P66 be?

brewsterpq21 · 02-02-2011, 02:15 PM

I just purchased a new Furuno FCV-620, and am using a P66 Transducer. I had it on Manual and adjusted frequency to several settings, and was in about 200ft of water. I could not see my 8oz weight on it, then switched to 20 oz weight and still did not see it.

1. Should this be more sensative?
2. Could I have my Transducer mounted wrong?
3. It was rough water could that effect anything?
4. Anyone else using this setup?

I could only go about 8 knots before it would distort.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Micah

Fisherman R · 02-02-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewsterpq21

I just purchased a new Furuno FCV-620, and am using a P66 Transducer. I had it on Manual and adjusted frequency to several settings, and was in about 200ft of water. I could not see my 8oz weight on it, then switched to 20 oz weight and still did not see it.

1. Should this be more sensative?
2. Could I have my Transducer mounted wrong?
3. It was rough water could that effect anything?
4. Anyone else using this setup?

I could only go about 8 knots before it would distort.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Micah

1. YES!
2. Perhaps...I doubt it though
3. Should not
4. I use a P66 and a Lowrance 28chd.

You should be able to mark fish at 30 mph, 200 ft deep. I run a P66. I don't have a Furuno...the 620 is a better unit than mine. I can mark my sinkers no problem, and can mark fish at 20 mph. This is impossible without the P66 transducer. Maybe try to increase your gain? I'll leave that for the Furuno users to answer.

Lady E · 02-02-2011, 06:06 PM

I would call Furuno's tech support for the 620.

The basics;

1. Check voltage going to the unit at the plug.

2. Transducer should be mounted so that it points ever so slightly forward (rear of transducer is lower than front).

3. Transducer can't be behind anything going through the hull (eg thru hull water pickup.

4. I think Furuno with have you move the transducer in it's mounting bracket (in small increments) until you see your lure; then do a final tightning.

5. The transducer must be low enough in the water when you are going over 8mph to hot get any air or bubbles. For me lowering the transducer almost always helps.

Seems like I put a level going fore and aft somewhere along the keel; I would also check left to right on the transducer and see it the level points about the same on the transducer as it does along the water line along the transom (might have to use a small torpedo level for this one).

You can check your deck to see it is fairly level fore to aft with the boat in the water at the dock with a level. If its not try to see how far off the bubble is and see if your transducer is about the same.

Sorry if this is clear as mud but the transducer must point straight down;not left or right or forward or aft.

brewsterpq21 · 02-03-2011, 04:12 PM

Called Furuno, and they gave me some advice. I will keep you guys posted! Thanks for the info.

yelloweye · 02-07-2011, 09:09 PM

This might be helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgUNGNb34ik

fullerton · 05-11-2012, 06:45 AM

Hi Brewster:

I'm wondering if you were able to sort it out, as i am looking at buying the exact same setup. I would primarily use it for kokanee and near shore salt water fishing. From what i gather the FCV620 and P66 have been around for many years, but is still are very good units compared to newer units in the same price range.

Thank you.

Ian

reelist · 05-11-2012, 07:32 AM

I have the Furuno 620 and a P66 on my Arima. While ~60 days into it I'm glad I made this purchase. In bottomfishing I'll see my 4 oz to the bottom in 120' and downrigger ball while kokanee fishing at all times. I'll not lose bottom even when at +30 running.

Lady E had the right advice.

Also I keep it on split screen and auto. I've yet to get deeper than ~240 (Detroit and Green Peter) so the 50 hz is only on for width of the beam. The 200 hz cone is pretty narrow so a bit out of kilter mounting will mean you won't see your lure. But I want the sensitivity of the 200 kHz so split screen is where it leave it 99% of the time. I want the coverage the 50 hz gives to see schools/fish that aren't in that narrow cone right below me.

Hope that helps.

fullerton · 05-11-2012, 07:17 PM

Thank you Reelist:

Yes, your post was very helpful. It's hard to imagine being able to see 4oz. at 120', not to mention seeing at +30mph! That puts a smile on my face, ill be covered, as my rig tops out at about 23mph with a tail wind.

Your split screen rationale makes sense, i imagine i will do the same. I'm hoping that the "auto" settings are sufficient in most conditions, as im more of a "set it and forget it" type when trolling. I'm surprised that the 620 is still a contender in the market, as i think its been around since 2008ish i believe.

Thanks again.

Ian

tomictime · 05-13-2012, 05:01 AM

Anything Furuno and Airmar make will be contenders, no matter how "dated" as they are both soilid engineering companies that understand the basic physics. The rush to digital this and that while it can improve is no substitute for radiated power on the target and then bounced back up and displayed.

IMO, biased as it might be, you made great choices. Also, later when ya get a bit more cash, upgrade the P66 FIRST.

JD

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullerton

Thank you Reelist:

Yes, your post was very helpful. It's hard to imagine being able to see 4oz. at 120', not to mention seeing at +30mph! That puts a smile on my face, ill be covered, as my rig tops out at about 23mph with a tail wind.

Your split screen rationale makes sense, i imagine i will do the same. I'm hoping that the "auto" settings are sufficient in most conditions, as im more of a "set it and forget it" type when trolling. I'm surprised that the 620 is still a contender in the market, as i think its been around since 2008ish i believe.

Thanks again.

Ian

reelist · 05-13-2012, 08:01 PM

Ditto on the upgrade to the P66. At 600 watts the P66 is good with a Furuno or other. If you check out that vid the next step up, is HUGE tho! It's 1000 wats and can see sea lice on a fish at 200 feet I believe!

Btw I was at Green Peter today and was jigging at 50 feet with a 1/2 oz. watched the jig action (no takers) but it was cool! Made me realize again that the 200 cone is pretty small at 50 feet. If I jigged right under the 'ducer I'd see the jig, if i jigged off the front or mid of the boat, nope! The cone of the P66 200 is 10 degrees or ~8 feet of coverage at 50 feet. The 50 hz coverage is a whopping 41 feet!

fullerton · 05-29-2012, 09:24 PM

Thanks tomictime and reelist,

Your mere mention of upgrading the P66 got me thinking. After a lot of investigation and heel dragging, i decided to go with the TM265 transducer and the FCV 620. As you suggested, the TM265 is huge compared to the P66, and not cheap. It's about 5 times the price of the P66 and about 5 times the size, but according to Airmar, it's 25 times more sensitive. I'm hoping i will catch more fish with the new rig vs. Seeing more of the fish i'm missing.

I'm looking forward to trying it out at New Melones and Don Pedro in mid June. I wonder if it would be good enough to see a halibut on the bottom while trolling near the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. There's only one way to find out.

Thanks again for the nudge.

Ian

tomictime · 06-04-2012, 05:02 PM

Ian:

Good on ya man. i had a TM258 and a p-66 on same boat w same sounder fwd and aft and the difference was striking !!!

Post up some screen shots from setup after you get it and know how to manually tune !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullerton

Thanks tomictime and reelist,

Your mere mention of upgrading the P66 got me thinking. After a lot of investigation and heel dragging, i decided to go with the TM265 transducer and the FCV 620. As you suggested, the TM265 is huge compared to the P66, and not cheap. It's about 5 times the price of the P66 and about 5 times the size, but according to Airmar, it's 25 times more sensitive. I'm hoping i will catch more fish with the new rig vs. Seeing more of the fish i'm missing.

I'm looking forward to trying it out at New Melones and Don Pedro in mid June. I wonder if it would be good enough to see a halibut on the bottom while trolling near the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. There's only one way to find out.

Thanks again for the nudge.

Ian

fullerton · 06-12-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomictime

Ian:

Good on ya man. i had a TM258 and a p-66 on same boat w same sounder fwd and aft and the difference was striking !!!

Post up some screen shots from setup after you get it and know how to manually tune !!

Thanks Tomictime. I couldn't believe the size of the TM258 vs the P66 i replaced, it's about the size of a big russet potato.

Just returned from 4 days of kokanee fishing with the new unit. Unfortunately, the bite was so hot, we didn't look at the FF as much as we might have had it been a tough bite. I did however, spend an inordinate amount of time arm wrestling with my boat partners about setting up/operating the unit. One partner insisted on having the big blue fish markers, and the other guy spent the weekend looking for "the arches" (one of our buddies has a Lawrance
HDS7.

Im struck by how little i understood about what i saw on the screen. For initial settings, i called Semperfishing (Gil), he was very helpful in suggesting settings. I suppose it's going to be a while before i know what im doing, i must say the Furuno is very intuitive when it comes to navigating the settings.

I will make a point of posting screen shots once i figure things out. Too bad there isn't a nice "dummies" tutorial i could view a million time to shorten the learning curve.