Phone based fish finders

[AKSweetpete]

Hi everyone, I wanted to ask others what they think about these new phone fish finders. I have seen 3 on the market, the Vexilar Sonarphone, The Deeper, and the FishHunter. Who's got one and what do they think of them? Pros and cons? Let's talk about this.

Thanks.

[mathews4ever]

I don't have one, but I am sure it is a bad idea. Smartphone batteries suck to start with and when you couple that with the cold, you just make it worse. My best guess would be about 3 hours of use before your phone was dead. Considering people cry about the LX-7s battery life, I can't see cell/flashers sticking around. Sorry for all the negativaty, I just do not see a single upside.

[jitterbug]

I did just get the Vexilar fish phone for Christmas. I have a small pond and it looked awesome in about 6 feet of clear water. I could clearly see the jig and fish respond to it easy. I used my IPhone 5s and left it on in the house and the phone lasted 5 hours at room temperature. I also bought a portable power stick at staples for 6 dollars. The case for my phone has a built in battery, combined that should give me about 18 hours of run time. Now I can't wait for ice.

[Seamonkey84]

I got the vexilar sonarphone this past spring just after ice out, and it's worked wonderfully for me as I don't have my own boat. I put it on a heavy rod and line, cast it out and read the screen as I feel it back. I also it it to a thick line and place it beside my friends boat and jig next to it, or use it to find the thermocline/bottom material for target fishing. It's helped me catch several trout this summer by finding the thermocline and marking fish at certain depths. Jigging and using slip bobbers have been a lot more productive with eletronics.
So far ive only used it in warm weather, but I'm going to try rigging it to stay in the center of a hole this winter 

[Bucket Brigade]

Isn't technology wonderful?!!! I don't have the fish phone, but I think it will be a good tool for scouting. The size is convenient but we will be hearing a lot of people losing there phone down the hole!