Airmar transducers P165HW vs Navico/Lowrance/Simrad 3in1 activeimaging

[rastam4n]

Pretty specific questions but with the amount of Simrads, Jos as sold you guys I figure its worth a shot.
Can anyone give me a comparison, or help set an expectation of the difference I would see if I "upgraded" to a P165HW? I would leave the 3in1 installed, but I would only use it for side scan, and I have two MFD's, so I could leave it connected to one, no switching cables etc...
Mostly do not want to spend the money and not see an improvement.
Anyone who uses/used both of these and have you seen a marked improvement in target separation, clarity etc?

 

[stomp]

Umm... @RyTek Marine , is this up your alley?

 

[hvyhaul]

Umm... @RyTek Marine , is this up your alley?

Doesn't @Three Bouys have one?

 

[Three Bouys]

@hvyhaul I do run the TMR 150 over the factory Lowrance transducer. It’s has made it more clearer and defines fish better at the Elbow. Since I installed it I see more fish on the screen. Not saying it puts more fish in the boat thouThat’s the only time I use it. I would highly recommend installing one.
When I’m pike fishing I prefer to use down scan only to see weed growth height which allows me to set my trolling depth, @stomp knows how we can catch pike

 

[rockin-steelhead]

Could you run both transducers at the same time on a split screen using different frequencies or does it use the same port in the back of the fish finder ?

 

[Three Bouys]

@rockin-steelhead I have the Lowrance 12” Gen 3 and there’s only the 1 port

 

[smokey1]

If your units are linked together everything is shareable.

Considering a tm165hw is 3 times or more the power I expect a huge difference separation and just the ability to pick up every single one of them.

Have had mine for awhile but would not mount without something a bit stronger , like something rytek makes or very close.

It can be added to a blue port and or structure scan dependant on the wire chose.

If you decide , ensure you look at boatersland using shippsy as it will put more cake in your wally.

Enjoy

 

[RyTek Marine]

The TM165HW is absolutely worth every penny over the factory offerings of the big 3 sonar producers for inland waters!!! The Airmar's are capable to run with or without adapters on Lowrance (no adapter needed if you buy the Navico version) and both Humminbird and Garmin with the generic plug and the adapter! Target definition is an absolute game changer on both the TM150 and the TM165 and having the ability to show separate arch's on even bait fish if they are 4" apart is absolutely crazy plus being able to see game fish swimming among the bait!!! All in all if you are only fishing on Erie, the TM150 is probably more than enough and I have MANY MANY customers running my TM150 mounts on boats state side fishing Erie including a bunch of guys with 600series Rangers (50-60mph boats) and all can get high speed readings in Erie's waters marking not only depth BUT fish!!! The screen shots attached are of my old TM150 in deep clear water on Quinte. That 125' mark is close to the limits of it but the images are still A1!!!
Now if you are one to focus on 100+ FOW constantly the TM150 is okay for trolling but you have a hard time getting high speed readings and this is where the 600w TM165hw shines over the TM150's 300w! Both have similar sonar beams but the power allows 100% high speed readings when properly tuned! I can mark depth and fish on Laker Ontario in 300+ feet out in the blue zone at 48mph!!! Up until the low 30's the fish are actually shown as arch's!!!

Now as amazing as both transducers are...the down fall (this is where I come in) the mounts on both are absolutely terrible and if you boat is capable of running at over 30mph the mounts can almost grenade them selves (the TM150 is the worst for this). Both mounts do not allow any real angle adjustment other than by purchasing shims. I produce mounts for both and allow not only a bullet proof design but allows for proper angle adjustment which is needed for proper tuning and high speed running!

I also just had a customer running a HB order one of my TM165 mounts after his buddy told him to contact me for a TM150 (asked him where and what he fished) he is a guide on Lake Michigan and only fish's for salmon. I told him to skip the 150 and go to the TM165! His factory HB 2D transducer was basically unreliable beyond 80' and he could never see his cannon balls beyond that point plus he could never pick up bottom beyond 25mph. He called me up Thursday thanking me for the suggestion and the mount and that he was able to mark Lakers sitting a few feet off bottom in 250' while he was cruising in the mid 30's!!!

Hope this helps....Ryan

 

[Three Bouys]

@RyTek Marine I guess I should of mentioned also that I use your mount as well Ryan. I purchased the TMR 150 and your mount when our fishing buddy Rob J. did his up grade on his Ranger boat. I would highly recommend anyone on your mounts. Great design and strong, there is no movement as compared to the factory mounts.