Humminbird Smartcast RF30 Wrist Display Fish finder
By: Michael Uleski

            Finding fish just got as easy as checking the time with the new Humminbird RF30 fish finder. Last year Humminbird released their new series of fish finders deemed “smart cast”. The technology is based on a remote transducer that could be trolled or cast and then relay the information from under the transducer back to a display for the angler. This was revolutionary in the development of fish finders, finally a fisherman could not only see what was under their boat, but could actually explore places where no boat could go simply by casting the transducer into the area.

            The first unit was dubbed the RF 10, which included the remote transducer and a portable display unit. This unit had a range of 100ft to the transducer with a display of 3 1/16” by 2 ½”. However many, including myself found the portable unit a little too much to carry onboard a yak.

            Many anglers asked for a smaller display unit to go along with the remote transducer. Enter the RF 30 wrist display. With this model Humminbird combined the previous Smartcast technology and then created a display so small that it could be put onto a screen the size of a wristwatch.

            I first saw this unit in Florida Sportsman Magazine last month, and after that first look I knew I had to have one. Last week I finally picked up the last one they had at the local marine store. The retail was $119.99, which included two castable transducers, wrist display, spare battery and carrying bag. This price fell right in with other lower end fish finders with one major difference, no installation. First impressions are that the display is one tough unit. It’s fully rubberized with an LCD display screen. Three buttons control the adjustment of sensitivity, depth range, fish alarm, fish ID, and to choose the transducer frequency. The display is small at 1 ¼” by 1” but it highly detailed for the size. If you can read your watch it’ll be no problem reading this display. The battery that’s included will give 25 hours of service.

            The transducers seem to be a little cheesy at first with a plastic feel that I worried about breaking them. They have proven to be tough as well and have been bounced off docks with no ill effects. They automatically power on and off with a water activated switch underneath. They are rated for 400 hours of use before replacement. Replacement transducers can be found at a cost of $20.00, which is still reasonable. They can be used in two modes, graphing mode and stationary. The graphing mode works very well up to 3 mph when the unit will lose the bottom, but when pulled slowly gives a good profile of the bottom. The stationary mode simply shows what is underneath the transducer. They even have an attachment point at the bottom to put a hook on and use it as a float. I am definitely going to try this, but only in freshwater for bluegill.

            As mentioned the display can switch transducer frequencies. The transducers come in two versions, A and B. By using one of each it is possible to have two people using the Smartcast system without interference, or for one angler to deploy two transducers at the same time.

            I took the RF30 down to the local dock the night I got it to test it. Went to the end of the dock and cast out the transducer. Once it hit the water the display began showing information on depth and structure, along with fish. Casting a 1/8 oz. Jig brought strikes right where the unit showed fish. Slowly pulling it along graphed the entire length of the dock showing where holes where and other structure. I also tested it in deeper water in Oak Hill while crossing the channel. The graph is smooth and showed the channel very clearly.

            I think this product is going to be a real hit with paddlers especially due to its small size and ease of use. More information can be found at :

http://www.humminbird.com/hb_Products.asp?ID=322