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also offers a high-chirp depth sounder, as well as a traditional 50/200 khz sounder for the Axiom and Axiom+ series MFDS.

The maximum depth rating for the sounder functions in these transducers ranges from 800 to 1,000 feet-plenty

deep for most saltwater fishing. Expect the greatest fish-finding effectiveness at depths down to 300 feet.

Side Action

Side-scanning modes on these transducers offer detailed views of the bottom and fish on both sides of the boat, thanks to elements that continually scan a thin swath of the water column and ocean floor.

This can be particularly helpful when looking for wrecks, reefs and rock piles because you view a much broad er area than with the sounder function. How broad? Much depends on the frequency of the side-scanning function, and most of these transducers offer a user-selectable choice.

With the Sidevu mode of the Garmin GT54UHD, for example, the range is 500 feet to each side of the boat when set to 455 khz. However, that range shrinks to 125 feet on each side when the Sidevu is set to 1,200 khz, also known as Ultra High Definition mode.

While the range decreases, the detail ramps up to the point of depicting lifelike images of the bottom structure and fish.

Down and Away

The down-scanning function is much like side-scanning, but directed downward. It rapidly scans thin, side-to-side slices of the water column and the bottom under the boat. With the 3-in-1 transducer, for instance, Lowrance and Simrad MFDS enable you to fine-tune the Downscan mode by selecting the frequency: 455 khz for broader coverage and greater depth range, or 800 khz for greater detail.

“I like to use 455 khz when trolling for albacore,” Keizer says. “The wider sweep is better for spotting fast-moving tuna in the upper part of the water column.” When looking for structure spots, however, he finds that 800 khz offers a more detailed view of rock piles and reefs.

Motion Stabilized

Some multifunction transducers feature electronic stabilizers to enhance sonar imagery. Raymarine’s RV-100 has a built-in attitude and heading reference system that automatically compensates for vessel motion—pitch, roll, yaw and heave—that might otherwise distort views of the bottom and fish in rough seas.

Furuno’s TM260 combo transommount transducer ($1,599), which features Furuno’s powerful DFF-3D multibeam sonar capability, along with 50/200 khz depth-sounder elements, also includes a built-in motion sensor to stabilize sonar imagery and eliminate distortion, especially when using the DFF-3D mode.

Custom Views

There are also systems capable of combining one or more features in a single view. For instance, when matched with a compatible Lowrance or Simrad MFD, the 3-in-1 transducer provides users the ability to integrate the Downscan feature with the chirp sounder in a feature called Fishreveal.

The Downscan portion enhances the detail of bottom structure, while the chirp sounder creates greater target separation to recognize fish returns more easily.

Certain transducers help create 3D representations of the underwater world. With the Raymarine RV-100 transducer and a compatible Axiom or Axiom+ MFD, for example, anglers access a feature called Realvision 3D, which translates scanning sonar returns of structure, bait and fish in a lifelike, three-dimensional perspective, letting anglers pan, tilt and zoom the 3D image to view it from any angle.

When coupled with Furuno’s DFF-3D sonar module and a Tztouch2 or Tztouch3 MFD, Furuno’s TM260 multibeam transducer also produces remarkably realistic 3D views of the ocean floor and the fish above it.

Multifunction, transom-mount transducers represent one of the most affordable ways to access the wide array of advanced sonar capabilities available in today’s MFDS. Adding one to your boat will multiply your chances of finding and catching fish.