Not many manufactures can match Garmin International’s expertise in GPS and fishing gear. They’ve been providing incredibly sharp real-time scanning fish finder for decades, but they also provide you advanced all-in-1 solution that’s entertaining to use.
The Garmin Livescope is one of the best pieces of fishing equipment, and excellent tool for scouting they have. Take a brief look at the product features, how it works, and why you may want to get it for your next fishing trip.
Panoptix LiveScope Unboxing
First, let me tell you what I got after unboxing it. In this portable fishing set, you’ll get a Garmin UHD 93SV Chartplotter, the Panoptix livescope transducer, a 12-volt rechargeable battery, and all the connectors you’ll need.
Garmin built-in ANT wireless connectivity is working nicely wherever you go on the ice fishing. Your ice adventure is ready to go, thanks to a safe case, overhead clearance sensor, and an easy-to-carry handle.
Panoptix LiveScope Features
I’m exaggerating when I say this is one of the greatest fish finder transducers available. Under rough conditions, fish finders have a hard time delivering clear photos.
With this Garmin Livescope, however, that isn’t the case. The AHRS, which stabilizes its internal sonar scans, makes it possible to observe crisp pictures even in severe seas.
Premium Sonar Combos
Fishing on the ice is now easier with live scanning sonar combos! In addition to the HD Ultra touchscreen combo with a keyed assist, the Panoptix LiveScope package includes the LVS32 transducer with a Livescope GLS 10 sonar black box and GNX Wind marine instrument.
- You can identify Fish and structure as far as 200 feet away using easy-to-understand live scanning sonar.
- Two modes in one transducer (Livescope Down and Forward modes) adapt to your fishing techniques, identify schools of fish, and know precisely where to dig your next hole based on this information.
- The pre-installed LakeVü g3 inland maps cover over 17,000 lake.
- You can combine map and sonar views at once on its color display with keypad interface.
This is the ultimate ice fishing package, combining our groundbreaking Panoptix LiveScope sonar with a huge UHD touchscreen display.
In addition to Livescope forward and down scanning modes, the transducer may be easily adapted to your fishing style. To find schools of fish beneath the ice, you can use real-time scanning sonar images. You won’t have to make any guesses and just need to drill a smaller number of holes.
Sonar Under the Ice
You may follow schools of fish in any direction with the LiveScope Forward sonar, which provides coverage all around the ice. As the sonar pictures below the ice move, you can see what fish are doing in response to your jig or bait and whether they are moving toward or away from your jig.
Do you want to analyze the previous catch? There is also sonar history rewind feature that comes in handy.
Display Multiple Views
The display size is 9 inch. The ECHOMAP 93sv UHD screen may be customized to show you just the information you want to see. Create a mix of the map and PanoptixTM sonar views on a single page. You can spend more time fishing, thanks to the simple-to-use UI, GNX Wind marine instrument, and Auto Guidance.
Best-in-Class Mobility
An LVS32 transducer with a swivel pole mount, together with a 12Ah battery, charger, motor mount, and power cord, are included in this powerful package. A durable, glove-friendly carrying case keeps everything together and ready to go for any ice fishing adventure.
Images in Real-Time
This fish finder’s most notable and helpful feature is the ability to provide you with real-time photos of the environment around you with remarkable target separation. You can see your lure clearly even as you retrieve it.
After getting accustomed to built-in quickdraw contours mapping software and images of fish swimming, you can even tell the difference between various species of fish.
One Transducer, Three Exciting Modes
Every fisher has a favorite method of fishing that they like to use. The transducer of this fish finder has three settings to accommodate a wide range of fishing methods.
Depending on your preference, you may either look ahead to see everything around you, down to see what’s below your boat or up to see what’s over shallow water from a perspective viewpoint.
Image Stabilizer
It’s possible to see clearly on your Chartplotter even in choppy seas thanks to the fish finder’s built-in Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS).
Astonishing Rage
The transducer’s range is one of its other standout features. All three modes have a range of around 200 feet to see well in all directions for that distance.
Fishers may benefit from this by mapping out the waterways and water temperature log to increasing their chances of success. Considering all of this and how simple it is to operate and connect to compatible chartplotter, you will have a great fishing day.
How to Operate Panoptix LiveScope System in Ice Fishing?
- The 93SV Chartplotter has a color display with keypad interface. Fishers can rapidly locate excellent fishing spots thanks to Lakevu G3 Ultra maps included on the device.
- Fewer holes are needed to detect fish when using the Livescope Down and Forward view internal sonar. Once fish are located, it is easier to remain on them.
- A 360-degree and up to 200-foot search radius surrounding your position makes it simple to locate structure and fish when schools of fish move around the basins in the winter.
- With the built-in flasher mode of the 93SV Chartplotter unit, you can get a brief look just below the hole while using typical 2-D sonar. You will be the first to know whether and how the swimming fish respond to your bait.
- Ultra-high-definition internal sonar makes it possible to detect the increased distance between bait and fish during a dive.
- In case you need it, you can also use the remote controls.
Garmin Livescope Buyer’s Recommendations
You need to keep in mind that the Garmin Livescope is basically a transducer. As a result, there are a few things to keep in mind while deciding whether or not it’s the right choice for you.
Before you purchase this fish finder transducer, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Standalone Use is Not Recommended
You can only get the most out of this transducer with a combination of two other Garmin products. These multifunction displays are compatible with Garmin’s GPSMAP 8400/8600 multifunction displays, as well as Garmin’s 10X2/12X2xsv Touch and GPSMAP 7400/7600 chartplotters.
If you’re looking for a chart plotter and sonar combos, you may also use this with the ECHOMAP Plus series. When utilizing this transducer on its own, you won’t obtain the best results until you couple it with one of these “helpers.”
Don’t Forget The Learning Curve
Although Livescope is easier to read than most other fish finders, you still need to learn how to read it correctly. There are also many options you need to memorize on the remote controls.
Installation is Not Always Easy
The purpose of all this fishing gear is to make it easier for you to catch fish while out on the lake. This system is supposed to be a plug-and-play configuration with Auto Guidance.
However, there are a few complaints about its installation that we found online. I believe that you’ll need to combine it with suitable components, but the whole system is quite simple to operate once you do.
Pros
- Easy to setup and operate.
- No need to drill many holes and find the school.
- Use while stationary or moving very slowly.
- Watch your lures and see if you grabed your target’s attention.
- Improved fishing charts.
- Lightweight lithium battery And much more.
Cons
- High price tag.
- It is a little heavy.
My Experience with Garmin Panoptix LiveScope System
As soon as I got out of the water, I switched on the trolling motor with the transducer attached and lowered it into the water. I saw a school of fish gently scurrying across the bottom under a school of baitfish in a split-second. It was fantastic.
When I first started using the Panoptix LiveScope GLS, I had a hard time adapting to its unique perspective. It took me approximately three hours of trolling to see all the brush piles and rocky spots, as well as the fish. However, the overhead clearance make it clear to me what I was looking at.
I cast a few times and watched my bait sink to the bottom of the lake. A crankbait wiggled its way back to the boat, leaving a trail of slackline. I had a good idea of how maximum depth it can go. Jigs arch to the bottom, then leave lines when I pull them up and let them fall.
I saw my jig passing through groups of bass based on their location, so I concluded they were bass. But they were unable to score. Judging from their size and location, I thought they were crappie.
The best part was that I could view the fish and make sure my throws were on target. It’s hard to tell whether the water is empty or packed with fish that won’t bite while I’m fishing without this unit. That’s why I love its remarkable target separation feature.
Final Thoughts
When I saw fish, I knew my bait was in front of them, and yet I didn’t catch a single one at my first day! I switched the baits often to eventually get the fish. Luckily the Built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software is quite helpful.
As the boat came within 30 feet in rough conditions, I was concerned that many fish would dive undercover and become inactive. That made it clear to me that long casts are critical. Also,
Overall, I am awed by Panoptix’s fish-finding capabilities and its built-in ANT wireless connectivity. I expect to see more in the future. I believe this is the future of bass fishing.
