The best Marine Electronics: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

I bought the Garmin Striker 4 - there are now several upgrades to this model but to me all I was really looking for was something to tell me the depth of the water. When I bought it, it was like $99, now I see it for $110 - https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Striker-Transducer-Fishfinder-Traditional/dp/B017NI17HQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1RTY03UTWC5O8&dchild=1&keywords=garmin+striker+4&qid=1626378062&sprefix=Garmin+s%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-3

You have a cheapo antenna that probably has trouble getting VHF signals. You might have success with this: (shop around - this one looks overpriced) https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG

Sure.

Garmin striker 4 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017NI17HQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_nnb1Fb98YCK3T?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Sheffield ammo can - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M5VB1G5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_lob1FbKCTASR1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Broom handle from dollar store

Pool noodle from dollar store

12v battery from amazon

Alligator clips to connect to battery

Electrical tape

Rope strapping from ACE

Zip ties

Random Styrofoam (I used some pipe backer i had lying around)

Bolts/screws to assemble

I just have the battery stored inside the ammo can, surrounded by foam to insulate it from the cold. Mounted the striker 4 on the outside and drilled holes for wiring. Cut a cheap broom handle to mount the transducer, wrapped in a pool noodle and zip tie. Mounted the rope strapping to lid to hold the transducer set up. Voila!

The VHF input will not pass the UHF frequencies. The first review shows the frequency response of both input ports

https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-Combiner-All-weather-Adjustable/dp/B008PBTPN4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=UVSJ&qid=1599105758&sr=8-1&th=1

The output will be from both antennas at UHF frequencies and primarily VHF from the VHF/UHF antenna (UHF antennas will receive some VHF, but at reduced gain. The UVSJ is to separate the UHF and VHF bands so that when the signals are combined on one cable there will be no phase cancellation. Trying to combine a UHF only and VHF/UHF antenna may lead to problems in your case on UHF.

Does anybody know what the best (most lagless) option for RCA (primarily video) amplification is?

Edit: I found this one but it seems nobody has ever tested it for lag.

>If you mean that the splitter/amplifier will be between the preamp power injector, then yes, the splitter amplifier will block the preamp power.

I was planning it to flow in this order: Antenna < PreAmp < Ground Block < PreAmp Power < Splitter/Amplifier > TV. That being said, I just re-read the instructions on the splitter/amplifier, and it sends power in both directions, so I will remove the PreAmp entirely.

>The Clearstream 4 is not intended to receive VHF-high band signals. Most areas in the USA have one or more popular networks in that band.

I noticed that this morning :(. I did find that Clearstream makes an adapter for that antenna that can receive VHF bands.

&& Thank you for the grounding diagram! That was really helpful.

This VHF add-on kit worked wonders for me to help pull in three Hi-VHF channels that are a similar distance away.

Thanks again for the reply. Yeah I expect more replies from the sub.

After seeing your comments, I’m planning to go for

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Systems-MC900B-All-Terrain-Multifunction/dp/B00IBI518Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?crid=2RC3FTG2Q30MI&amp;keywords=kenwood+bluetooth+amplifier&amp;qid=1662484606&amp;sprefix=kenwood+blu%2Caps%2C177&amp;sr=8-16 The one you recommended seems in the expensive side for me. My car don’t leak so if you have any other suggestions please do let me know.

Wire is looking really complex. Also I see there are harness adapter, can I buy those without stripping wire?

I bought this bundle. I strap the bag to the d-rings for the bunnies on the front of the board. Right now I’m using a Scotty 141 arm, mounted to the sand spear mount on the rear left side of the board. It works but doesn’t ride smoothly through the water and will pick up the water distortion when I paddle on that side. I’d love to mount it so that it hangs directly off the back of the board but haven’t figured out how to do that yet. Probably time some good old fashioned red neck engineering.

That'll work fine. The correct combiner keeps all VHF strictly on the one antenna, and UHF one the other. If you have enough need for a dedicated VHF antenna, it's a very easy to add to your setup.

https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-Combiner-All-weather-Adjustable/dp/B008PBTPN4/ref=sr\_1\_1?keywords=vhf+uhf+combiner&amp;qid=1661177908&amp;sr=8-1

Can you give a link to this? Google & Amazon could not find "clam fittings", except for Blue Sea cable clams, none of which were large enough for the Starlink connector to pass through. I wound up using a grommet from Amazon:

Garmin Cable grommet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T13DBS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I drilled a hole in the wall large enough for the connector [~1.25", I think], stuffed the connector [& 70' of cable through the whole, then wrapped the grommet around the cable, then stuffed the grommet into the whole [with the slit on the bottom]. I plan to seal it with silicone, but I haven't got a "round tuit" yet. 😏

I went with the PRO3000F60-KIT variation, but I'm a nerd and I pull wire often. But yea, that's just missing the "filtering" function.

Before that, I used this more-budget-friendly option: https://www.amazon.com/Sperry-Instruments-ET64220-Installers-Must-Have/dp/B00279JLBQ

I didn't have a real good reason to upgrade, other than I wanted an excuse to buy the nicer tool, and the fluke carried better in my tool box.

Funny enough another user commented with these in a different post

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-10562-00-Cable-grommet/dp/B000T13DBS?th=1

They worked out really well, just make sure to cut a 1.25” hole and clean it up

Fish Depth Finder

{item is for example purposes only. I really don't own one.}

Need something to track my stashes at all my boating accident locations.

I used these Garmin grommets to seal my wall after running the cable. They are a soft rubber material and worked perfectly with some silicone to seal them up afterward. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T13DBS?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-mobile-t1_ypp_rep_k0_1_14&amp;amp&amp;crid=2JCR2RE39XLKP&amp;amp&amp;sprefix=garmin+grommet

I unfortunately had a break in and had my stereo stolen - what I use now is a stealth setup . This unit has no screen so everything has to be controlled from phone or the little control pad that can be mounted where ever. I mounted the unit itself behind the glove Box and now my stereo slot is just a giant cubby.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IBI518Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DEF0GWD5A9DN25M64B1T

I used the Garmin grommet with a 1 1/4” spade bit and it worked great

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-10562-00-Cable-grommet/dp/B000T13DBS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=34WBRQQCKJ0P0&amp;keywords=garmin+grommet&amp;qid=1648515521&amp;sprefix=garmin+gr%2Caps%2C261&amp;sr=8-3

9 volt battery

Or .. a line tester like this Sperry Instruments ET64220 Wire Tracker Wire Tracer, Audio / Video Installers Must-Have, for Coax, CAT 5, Speaker & Phone, Adapter plugs: RJ-45, RJ-11, Coax & More , Yellow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00279JLBQ

So the first wiring harness i got from crutchfield had me use this LOC https://www.amazon.com/SLC4-4-Channel-Converter-Amplifier-Adjustable/dp/B000BFL52Q
could i use that?

Test each wire of each wire pair with either 9 cell battery or line tester like this one ….

Sperry Instruments ET64220 Wire Tracker Wire Tracer, Audio / Video Installers Must-Have, for Coax, CAT 5, Speaker & Phone, Adapter plugs: RJ-45, RJ-11, Coax & More , Yellow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00279JLBQ

You can always get a Fox and Hound cable tracer.

Sperry Instruments ET64220 Wire Tracker Wire Tracer
https://www.amazon.com/Sperry-Instruments-ET64220-Installers-Must-Have/dp/B00279JLBQ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1YB5XZFXCN8KY&amp;keywords=coax+cable+tracer&amp;qid=1643518759&amp;s=hi&amp;sprefix=coax+cable+tracer%2Ctools%2C120&amp;sr=1-6

Nice antenna. How far down this list are you getting? https://rabbitears.info/searchmap.php?request=result&amp;study\_id=430357

That Antop's VHF antennae are noticeably short. In fact, when I ran the numbers, they're just not suitable for channels 7/9. The VHF antenna on the Clearstream 2MAX are a pretty good match. You can also get a reflector for the Clearstream to increase the gain, which can help.

If you decide to add a dedicated Yagi type antenna for VHF, 7 & 9 make sure the combiner has the filtering... like https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-Combiner-All-weather-Adjustable/dp/B008PBTPN4

the GB duct seal i great stuff..

I used 2 of these as well for a 1" hole. they are a flexible material, so work well... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000T13DBS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

If you don’t need the massive drill bit included. The price is also shipped. Which IMO is a hell of a deal. That is a heavy/long drill bit included. If you want some grommets. This is the best I found. Garmin Cable grommet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T13DBS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TEKX3NJPAP8407V01YFQ?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1

I bought an amp that is blue tooth and I just stream my Spotify. No FM radio here is a link to the amp

BOSS Audio Systems MC900B 4 Channel Weatherproof Amplifier – Bluetooth, 500 Watts, Bluetooth Multi-Function Remote, Full Range, Class A/B, 4-8 Ohm Stable, Aux-in, RCA Outputs, USB Charging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IBI518Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_5JN92JPA1DB1641DFAV7?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1

I used Antennas Direct VHF / UHF Antenna Combiner, Indoor, Attic, Outdoor Use, All-weather Mounting Hardware, Adjustable Mast Clamp, Black - EU385CF-1S https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PBTPN4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Z80NJQ813QKEZBHWSCDA

Both are on the same pole with the VHF, for me I put vhf almost at the top. I’m a ham too, so my amateur radio Vhf and UHF are at the top.

You're right.. I didn't read the product description carefully enough to see it's UHF only. But Antennas Direct also has a VHF add-on for their antennas. I ordered one and it should be here Wednesday. The station is channel 12 in Portland, and indeed it is apparently a VHF channel. The others that are coming in more easily now are UHF channels.

I just realized the one I bought is for UHF. They have a VHF add-on that you can add to the antenna. They also sell a separate package that has both that antenna and the VHF add-on.

VHF low channels require a dedicated antenna, in my experience. I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LHFRCMG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

As others have said, height of the antenna is the most important thing. Also, those flat antennas you nail to a wall are cheap and hard to point into a specific direction. I would go with an Antennas Direct Clearstream if possible.
I have a cable wire going from the attic through the outside of the house to the basement, I use two different amplifiers and link to 8 tvs.

Think I need a lineout converter, is this probably fine?

https://www.amazon.com/SLC4-4-Channel-Converter-Amplifier-Adjustable/dp/B000BFL52Q/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Level%2Bconverter%2Bscosche&amp;qid=1628383227&amp;sr=8-3&amp;th=1