Customer Reviews

Norcross Hawkeye H22PX Sonar System

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I purchased this for use with kayak fishing. For this purpose I am pleased in general since I fish in the Gulf of Mexico and am more concerned with depth than structure. Since it is self contained, it also saves you the effort of installing a battery and transducer in the kayak hull.

I would consider this a depth finder only. I've been in areas where there were fish and have never seen the fish indicator show up. Furthermore, the manual recommends you swivel it around underwater to detect the fish. The problem with that approach is that when I drag it in the water next to the kayak and depress the button, it is very difficult to see the screen at all since the screen is submersed in water.

Another issue I have is that the depth and temperature are read using the same button. Hit the button once for depth and hit it again within a few seconds for temp. Sometimes you want to take a second reading to validate the first and are confused for a moment when you see the temp value thinking it's the depth. It does have the F for Fahrenheit but its small so at a glance you don't always notice it.

This is a very well constructed unit. One recommended use in the manual is for measuring distances of objects while diving. It is definitely build for it. They even recommend reapplying silicon grease on the battery cap threads from time to time. I've gotten this thing totally wet and submerged and have had no problems whatsoever. The batteries last a long time too.

Overall a well build product with a few complaints. Having a self contained unit is a definite plus but I do sometimes second guess myself over not buying a full-fledged fish finder for a couple hundred dollars more.

I have a small sailboat without any power on board so this hand held unit is perfect for my application. The depth is very easy to read and the unit is easy to use. It does have to be in contact with the water (I have not tried the through hull reading) but on my boat that is not a problem. The unit is larger than I thought it would be but I think that this will be an advantage as it would fit perfectly in a cup holder for easy access. The water temp is also a nice feature. It uses 4 AA batteries in a nice holder for easy loading. It is well built and I look forward to many years of use.

I purchased this about two years ago. It worked great up until about 3 months ago when the depth function stopped working. Just displays "----". Many of my associates in my office also use this tool and half of them have had to replace it because it did the same thing. Unfortunately, I need to buy another one because I need it. Pretty crappy deal though...

After much work we could not get this item to work. So we returned it.

I purchased one for Christmas and didn't start using it until May. It failed to measure the depth after only a few uses. The depth just read "---". I contacted NorCross and let them know this appears to be a common failure based on the comments at this site and asked them to make things right. I sent in my documentation of purchase and Patrick sent me a new device with a postage paid UPS return for the old one, all for now charge. I appreciated the quick response and will see if this one lasts.

very bad product i used the first device only once while diving on 15 meters was flooded with water.
the suplier repalce it with a new one and same problem they repalced 3 units the third one i didnt took it below on the surface only after couple of weeks it show only --- for temp and depth i do not recomend to anyone this it is a gadget not a depth finder

The product description does not indicate that the product must be in the water to function, ie; if it is used in a boat it is recomended that the depth finder be placed in a plastic bag filled with water then placed against the hull for a "through the hull reading" it appears this product would work fine if your vessel was sinking. This product might work fine if you boat is built close to the water so you can drag it along by hand. It appears this product is an underwater transducer attached to the readout. To be fair, this product would probably work fine for swiming and diving but living in Michigan that is a few months away. It appears to be well built for it's intended use as an underwater instrument.

As seen in several other reviews above, after about 3 or 4 occasional uses, the depth finder quit working showing only "_ _ _ _". Temperature still works. I changed batteries, and could not get the depth function to work. Not acceptable.

I have a small sailboat and purchased a Norcoss Sonar System last year to help me navagate in shallow water. It was used infrequently and after several months, no longer provided depth data. Symptoms are those referred to in previous reviews. Contacting Norcross customer support was less than helpful. I was told that I could return my unit for repair an about 2/3 the cost of a new unit or purchase a new unit for about the same price I paid origionally at Westmarine on sale. Some deal! My advice to anyone contemplating the purchase one of these expensive and unreliable gadgets is to save your money, go old school and buy some fishing line and a lead weight.

I used the sounder for 3 month, then it stop working, showing in the screen '----'
Very expensive device, because of the short live.