Did you know that the Chinese have invented their own Panoptix, and now you no longer need to spend a lot of money on a Garmin fishfinder? You can connect the sensor directly to your iPhone or iPad and fish using live scanning technology.
At a recent exhibition in the USA, the Chinese introduced two sensors and an app. The key innovation is that the processor is already built directly into the sensor. So, you can connect this sensor directly to your phone or iPad, open the app provided by the manufacturer, and use it as a fishfinder. You no longer need a Lowrance, Garmin, or any other device—just the sensor and your smartphone—that’s all you need for fishing.
The brand is called Accuphy. On their website, they feature two sensors and a certain black box (more on that later). The first sensor visually resembles familiar live sonar sensors from Lowrance and Garmin, but it’s more angular. The second sensor is more like a traditional one, used for side scanning, similar to GT56 or 54.
Both sensors have built-in processors that process the signal and convert it into information for the app. The app on your iPhone or iPad interprets this information and displays a clear image.
The black box is essentially a cheap Chinese router that creates a Wi-Fi network between the sensor and your device. So, if you don’t want to connect it via cable, you can use Wi-Fi.
You don’t need an expensive fishfinder or chartplotter. Simply connect the sensor to your iPhone or iPad via Wi-Fi, open the app, and you’re ready to fish.
In terms of specifications: a viewing angle of 135° by 20°, three modes (panoramic, standard Forward Mode, and Down Mode). Frequencies include 455 kHz, 1100 kHz, 1350 kHz, and even 1900 kHz, which I haven’t seen before.
As for the image quality, it’s hard to judge since there are no prices or final products yet. They expect to release by the end of the year, so we’ll soon see how real it is. But the fact that you can use a smartphone as a fishfinder looks promising.
Now for the drawbacks. Smartphones tend to overheat in the sun, their batteries drain quickly, and they aren’t very water-resistant. Unlike specialized fishfinders, they are not as protected from the elements. Additionally, the sensor will require a separate battery.
