Topic: Temperature Graph - What is it good for?

[ITGEEK]

I've been looking at the temperature graph setting on my 1197.
It seems that it doesn't extend much pass the water's surface.

I ask all of you, what is it used for, or good for?

Thanks in advance.

[Humminbird_Greg]

ITG,
That is just a chart of the water temperature reading which happened to be located at the top of the display.  It remains in the same position regardless of what the range of the sonar chart is set to and therefore is not a visual of what the water temperature was at 3 feet below the surface.  The temperature readings come from the temperature sensor in HDSi transducer for your 1197 unit.  So this is just a historical chart of the temperature readings at whatever water depth the transducer is at.

[ITGEEK]

Greg,
Sorry, but I don't understand the historical part of the graph.
What is the history based on (hours, days, the last time the sonar screen was viewed).

[Humminbird_Greg]

You know, I just never have asked that question.  I assume that it is the same timeline as the sonar shown below and around it.

[ITGEEK]

I've come to the conclusion that whatever it does, I don't need it.
I'm not going to clutter the screen with it, so I'm turning it off.

[calli1]

I personally liked the idea at first but once I learned it really doesn't mean anything, I wish they had never had it.  What would be kinda cool is if they could show us a temp bar or graph that shows where the temps start to change and at what depth that is.  Basically...lets say the water temps are 85 degrees but at 7 feet they suddeny change to 75 degrees.  Maybe this is one thing they can work on in the future.  In the winter and spring, I pay as much attention to the water temps as I do where the fish are on my screen.  Never the less....the Humminbird Side Image is one GREAT fishing tool. 

[George]

I do use nor see a need for the temperature graph.  Also, I do not use Color Bar nor the RTS.  Maybe because I never learned to use them nor see a value in them.  Am I missing something?

George

[Wingnutt]

I don't have it on my unit but I can think of one or two scenarios where it might be useful. 

Where I fish, we have areas where there is a confluence of large bodies of water that have significantly different temperatures.  When fishing for some species such as striped bass, in addition to finding structure, we like to have an area where we are marking a lot of fish.  This involves going on a slow troll.  I could see where it might be useful if I pass through one of those areas and have fish marked and when I pass out of it, seeing no fish marks.  I would be able to see the temperature that the fish are hanging on above the arch and target that temperature.

We also have a couple of localized areas that are prone to upwelling.  It could be used in the same manner there as well.

I know if you wanted to, you could just read the instantaneous temperature when you see the fish but the graph extends your time if you're busy doing other things (like collision avoidance).  You could also say that there wouldn't be that much variance in such a small distance, but I have seen water temperatures vary 10 degrees within a mile or so at times.

I guess it really depends on where & how you fish.

[ITGEEK]

Wingnut:
I see what you are saying, but I don't think you could use it to see the temperature where individual fish are holding at different depths.
It looks to me that it only extends down to about 3 feet from the surface on my machine.

I think it's just a fluff option (looks good but isn't really useful for anything).

[Wingnutt]

I didn't mean seeing the temp at depth.  The temperature reading is always for the surface (as far as I know) for all units.  Depending on the column depth,  you can assume it constant (yes, I know it's not... especially in deep water).  The line just happens to be at the top of the unit.  It's just an aid to see how the temperature at the surface it trending.

Everyone does things a little differently... that's why they give you the option to turn it off.

[Bob B]

There are times, especially in the spring, where an area with a slightly warmer water temp is the key to active fish.  The temp graph will help recognize this as you enter the warmer area.

The bar on the right of the screen is very useful when you want to watch your lure since the data displayed there is real time.  The info that has scrolled by is old info if you are in watching your lure and maybe fish coming up to it.