Humminbird Smartcast RF30 Wrist Display Fish finder
Review by: Michael Uleski

            Finding fish just got as easy as checking the time with the new Humminbird RF30 fish finder. Last year Humminbird released their new series of fish finders deemed “smart cast”. The technology is based on a remote transducer that could be trolled or cast and then relay the information from under the transducer back to a display for the angler. This was revolutionary in the development of fish finders, finally a fisherman could not only see what was under their boat, but could actually explore places where no boat could go simply by casting the transducer into the area.

            The first unit was dubbed the RF 10, which included the remote transducer and a portable display unit. This unit had a range of 100ft to the transducer with a display of 3 1/16” by 2 ½”. However many, including myself found the portable unit a little too much to carry onboard a yak.

            Many anglers asked for a smaller display unit to go along with the remote transducer. Enter the RF 30 wrist display. With this model Humminbird combined the previous Smartcast technology and then created a display so small that it could be put onto a screen the size of a wristwatch.

            I first saw this unit in Florida Sportsman Magazine last month, and after that first look I knew I had to have one. Last week I finally picked up the last one they had at the local marine store. The retail was $119.99, which included two castable transducers, wrist display, spare battery and carrying bag. This price fell right in with other lower end fish finders with one major difference, no installation. First impressions are that the display is one tough unit. It’s fully rubberized with an LCD display screen. Three buttons control the adjustment of sensitivity, depth range, fish alarm, fish ID, and to choose the transducer frequency. The display is small at 1 ¼” by 1” but it highly detailed for the size. If you can read your watch it’ll be no problem reading this display. The battery that’s included will give 25 hours of service.

            The transducers seem to be a little cheesy at first with a plastic feel that I worried about breaking them. They have proven to be tough as well and have been bounced off docks with no ill effects. They automatically power on and off with a water activated switch underneath. They are rated for 400 hours of use before replacement. Replacement transducers can be found at a cost of $20.00, which is still reasonable. They can be used in two modes, graphing mode and stationary. The graphing mode works very well up to 3 mph when the unit will lose the bottom, but when pulled slowly gives a good profile of the bottom. The stationary mode simply shows what is underneath the transducer. They even have an attachment point at the bottom to put a hook on and use it as a float. I am definitely going to try this, but only in freshwater for bluegill.

            As mentioned the display can switch transducer frequencies. The transducers come in two versions, A and B. By using one of each it is possible to have two people using the Smartcast system without interference, or for one angler to deploy two transducers at the same time.

            I took the RF30 down to the local dock the night I got it to test it. Went to the end of the dock and cast out the transducer. Once it hit the water the display began showing information on depth and structure, along with fish. Casting a 1/8 oz. Jig brought strikes right where the unit showed fish. Slowly pulling it along graphed the entire length of the dock showing where holes where and other structure. I also tested it in deeper water in Oak Hill while crossing the channel. The graph is smooth and showed the channel very clearly.

            I think this product is going to be a real hit with paddlers especially due to its small size and ease of use. More information can be found at :

http://www.humminbird.com/hb_Products.asp?ID=322

Humminbird Smartcast RF30 Wrist Display Fish finder
Review by: By: Erik J. Barzeski
AKA iacas

Most kayak fisherman are gadget hounds. After all, most fisherman are gadget
hounds - we've all got too many rods, too many reels, and WAY too many
lures. That primal urge to "hunt and gather" now takes place in our local
tackle shops where we scour the walls, flush out the best deals, and bag
them with thin, rectangular pieces of plastic. Always willing to try new
things, always looking for the next advantage, and always looking for a new
excuse when confronted by the women in our lives (who, if you think about
it, hardly have any ground on which to stand when it comes to shopping):
that is the life of a fisherman when he's not on the water.

It is in this primal state of mind that many of us happen across the SmartCast by
HummingBird. The SmartCast is essentially a depth/fish-finder. What makes
the SmartCast unique is its size and wireless capabilities. The SmartCast,
like most depth-finders, consists of a transponder and an LCD display.
Unlike most depth finders, there is no wire between the two. The transponder
is a crankbait-sized floating green beacon that resembles a new-age
submarine. The LCD is mounted to a small, portable 
Mobile Station or to a Wrist Mount.

Each of the two halves of the SmartCast system offers unique advantages. The
small transponder can be attached to fishing line and cast (hence the name)
into spots too tight to wedge a Tarpon 120 but not too tight to hold fish.
Alternatively, the transponder can be towed behind your yak while trolling
or looking for underwater structure. The wrist-mounted transponder (also
available in a Rod Mount)
is detailed enough at a resolution of 48 x 32 to provide a suitable
representation of the bottom and any hovering fish while remaining sleek
enough to wear on your wrist.

Many yak fisherman (and those pesky women) may wonder why a depth finder
comes in handy when we fish in six feet of water or less most of the time.
At $89 or so, the SmartCast is a bargain compared to other fish finders. Its
economy of size won't crowd what is usually an already crowded kayak. And
you fish, you can tell your women, in unknown waters often enough that
knowing the depth is important - channels, intercoastals, offshore, lakes
and ponds, the tannin-stained waters of the Everglades. Two feet or ten? Now
you'll know.

 How does it actually perform? The 75 foot operating radius is fairly
accurate - your longest casts will put the transponder out of range until
cranked in a bit. The splash is rather hearty, so you won't want to chuck
this thing around near spooky fish. Alternatively, you can easily drag the
SmartCast behind your yak on some heavy mono. Don't paddle too quickly,
though: the transponder's abilities drop off at about 3 miles per hour. With
a 90 degree scanning radius and a maximum depth of 100 feet, 
you can be sure to get an incredibly accurate picture when sitting still or moving slowly.
When night fishing for some bass with worms recently, I used the SmartCast
as the bobber, utilizing one of the two holes for the terminal leader, hook,
and worm and the second hole for the line to my rod. The bass were hungry,
and the SmartCast provided a nice picture of the fish as they approached or
swam by the worm.

The transponder;
features a 400-hour battery life on paper but sometimes lasts much less if
the "wet switch" is not kept bone dry. You replace the whole transponder at
$30 a pop when it dies. Dead transponders make great Christmas tree
ornaments. The wristwatch, though a bit thick, offers a replaceable battery
and very straightforward 3-button operation complete with fish alarms. The
alarm serves well to alert you to all of the fish you won't catch.

The lure has been cast and twitched. There's a swirl nearby: will the fish
strike? Will you hook up? Will I recommend the SmartCast? Yes, I will. If
you ever fish new water or water that's just a bit too deep to see the
bottom, the SmartCast will come in handy. At about the same price as two
female haircuts, you should be able to justify the purchase to yourself and
anyone else with an interest in your bank account.