Re: Laptop as Fishfinder/GPS??? In a small boat, the laptop is exposed (high risk high dollar) and in the way; you have power problems (short battery life) and a screen that is hard to read in the sunlight. In a large boat, you will invest in the right equipment to protect your investment. Think of a GPS fish finder as a laptop made for your boat, and go that way.

It's the better mousetrap, already invented. Some people take laptops out in small boats, but they keep them weather proof, only use them in good conditions, generally not running around, and for short times. On large boats, a laptop or PC is typical, but not for GPS/fish. How are you getting the 600-2,000 watts RMS needed to power a transducer?

SeaView for Mac A fish finder for your Mac. SeaView is a full-featured dual frequency high resolution PC based color fishfinder that runs in both analog and DSP mode. Announcing the worlds first PC based depth sounder and fish finder. The narrow band filtering is done in software which does not require an AGC. Garmin echoMAP&trade 94sv with BlueChart® g2 without Transducer - *Remanufactured - Garmin $ 488.08; Raymarine Axiom&trade 9 RV - 9' MFD w/RealVision 3D.

Where are you getting your Fish finder detection algorithm?Looks like you know what you are talking about, I am not, but will try: 1) USB for transducer can be for data transfer only and it may have separate 12v input 2) I would think that somebody may have created/embedded these algorithms in the software. For everyone who mentioned durability, I agree. However there are weatherproof models (they cost a lot thought - 4-5k ). I have access to almost free older laptops that still work, so can change them every month if needed. Lets leave the fishfinder alone and concentrate the gps capabilities.

Does anyone know the good software for chartplotting for PC? Here is interesting link.

Eminem Get The Guns Rarely Used. How are you getting the 600-2,000 watts RMS needed to power a transducer? Where are you getting your Fish finder detection algorithm?external power supply to the transducer, with a usb data interface.

As far as the detection algorithm, you obviously would need OTS software to provide the interface to the transducer as well as display the results. The actual algorithm is pretty easy if you are the type that likes writing your own software.

(i've done VERY similar research/software using high frequency echolocation in free-air. Basically bat software!). Re: Laptop as Fishfinder/GPS Free Software 3d. ??? If I was at work and had to design that system I would need the following (This is off the cuff so may not be as adequate as I think) An analog to digital converter for the signal. Software such as labview to turn the laptop into basically a scope. An external power supply for the transducer.