Fisfinder Furuno FCV-620

Original Product

FCV620 Package

Package Includes

• Furuno FCV-620 5.6" Color LCD
• Furuno 525ST-PWD Transom Mount Tri-Ducer

The FCV620 is a dual frequency (50 kHz and 200 kHz) Color LCD Sounder featuring Furuno's DSP technology that displays underwater conditions in 8, 16 or 64 colors on a super-bright 5.6" LCD screen. 

You've probably heard about digital fish finders, but aren't quite sure what the difference is. The main difference is the filtering capabilities and auto adjustments. Our new DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology helps adjust gain, STC Clutter and output power, as well as suppress main bang (the echoes just below the transducer.) It also makes the picture clearer and easier to decipher. But even the best digital filter wont help unless you start with a solid basis, such as Furunos renowned fish finder technology. 

The FCV620's waterproof construction allows it to be installed on any bridge. Audio and visual alarms alert you whenever preset limits are met for water depth, water temperature and fish echoes. Selectable display modes include High or Low Frequency, Dual Frequency, Zoom, Nav Data, A-Scope, Marker Zoom, Bottom Zoom or Bottom-Lock. Furuno's TLL (Target Lat/Lon) output allows you to interface the FCV620 with your Furuno chart plotter so you can mark any spot you desire and save it as a waypoint, enabling you to return to it whenever you desire.

Standard Features:

• Dual-Frequency 50/200 kHz
• New DSP Filter makes the picture clearer and easier to discriminate between baitfish and larger target species
• 8/16/64 Color Echo Presentations
• Hands free adjustments of gain, STC & output power through digital filtering
• 8 Range Scales to 2,500 feet
• High output power of 600W
• Audio and visual alarms for water depth, fish echoes and water temperature*
• Wide variety of transducer options
• Bright, 5.6" color LCD gives excellent readability even in broad daylight
• Waterproof construction permits installation on open bridge
• Selectable automatic cruising or fishing modes to suit your style of boating
• Automatic function for detecting fish and bottom in both shallow and deep water
• User-programmable nav data display provides analog and digital nav data*
• Alarms: Bottom, Fish (bottom lock and normal), Speed, Water Temperature and Arrival (Speed, arrival and water temperature alarms require appropriate sensor)
• White line feature helps discriminate fish lying near the bottom
• Fast transmission rate of 3,000 PRR (Pulse Repetition Rate) per second for enhanced shallow water detection 

*requires appropriate sensors
Power Requirements:

• 12-24 VDC
• 1 to 0.5 A

 

SPESIFIKASI:
DISPLAY: 5.6" COLOR LCD
DISPLAY MODE: Single (HF, LF), Dual, Zoom, Nav Data-1/2, A-scope, Marker zoom, Bottom zoom, Bottom-lock
CHANNEL: DUAL
FREQUENCY: 50/200 kHz
POWER: 600 W

POWER SUPPLY:12 - 24 VDC

I’m guessing that title got your attention? You see I’m trying to compare a Furuno FCV-620 fishfinder with the Raymarine DS500X which is already installed on Gizmo (and which the idiot thieves failed to strip off). Airmar kindly made me a patch cord so that the same transducer works with both machines (and the Navman 8120 I’m also testing). I can’t run them simultaneously (the DS500X is locked up in above photo), but can switch the transducer quickly. You can see in the bigger picture how noise-free both units are, apparently thanks to Digital Signal Processing, and note that both are in full auto mode. What I’m having a hard time determining is if one or the other is actually better at finding fish. So far the Raymarine IDs more fish on screen, but I suspect that it is being ‘optimistic’. It’s hard to get trained fish for this purpose, which is why someone suggested that a few ping pong balls held underwater with panty hose and a rock could simulate fish bladders. I’m not sure I’ll find time to try that, but would appreciate other suggestions on how to compare the units.

In the meantime, the difference in interfaces is much more obvious and quantifiable. I quite like the 620’s knobs for controlling manual gain and screen mode (below, bigger here), a much more tedious process on the DS500X. Knobs, as noted yesterday, are old fashioned, but they sure can be useful.