LUCKY Portable Handheld Depth Finder Review
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Quick Overview
FEATURES
QUALITY
PRICE
Pros
Cons
Recreational fishing has been a popular pastime for many craving for an exciting yet rewarding activity.
Before, it would take skills and tenure to locate the ideal fishing spots, but it all changed due to fish finders.
These gadgets can detect information underneath the water, such as depth, fish location, bottom contour, vegetation, and more.
To help you enjoy these benefits, here’s a detailed LUCKY Portable Handheld Depth Finder review.
LUCKY Portable Handheld Depth Finder Review
The Portable Fish Finder 818 is one of LUCKY Sonar’s releases, a prolific electronic water equipment manufacturer.
It was first made available in early 2019 and has been one of the more popular fish finders you’ll encounter.
Compared to other standard rectangular portable fish finders today, this model offers an ergonomic design.
The device features a streamlined shape that accommodates the contour of the human hand.
Because of this design, you’ll be able to have a better grip on the fish finder, minimizing slippage in the process.
The LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 has a dominant red color, while its transducer exhibits yellow for better visibility.
Who Is This Product For?
It’s not surprising that many anglers enjoy the qualities of the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818.
Similar to other LUCKY devices, this model has simple controls that make it easy for everyone to master.
If you’re also not keen on spending too much on this kind of equipment, you’ll appreciate its budget-friendly price.
Overall, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned angler, the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 is sure to meet your demands.
What’s Included?
This portable handheld depth finder includes some useful accessories in its package.
In addition to the fish finder and sonar transducer, it also comes with a bracket and neck strap.
These items are helpful if you prefer to keep your hands free during your fishing sessions.
Batteries may be included, but to be sure, we recommend purchasing four rechargeable AAAs.
Even on power save mode, you’ll only have about six hours of battery life.
As such, it’s good to invest in a set of rechargeable or long-lasting batteries if you’re fishing trips are occasional at best.
Overview of the Features
At this point, you might have an idea of the functionality of this device.
With that in mind, let’s go into the most critical section of this LUCKY Portable Handheld Depth Finder review.
- Detection and Frequency Range
The 818 model has a maximum detection depth of 328 feet or 100 meters and a detecting degree of 45.
Like most fish finders you’ll see on the market, its sonar transducer works on a 200 kHz frequency.
Whether the water is clear or murky, expect the device to deliver an accurate detection anytime if you made the proper sensibility adjustment.
- Multiple Applications
This portable fish finder can perform its responsibilities in a number of fishing setups, including rowboats, pontoons, kayaks, canoes, and more.
Because it is wearable around the neck and mount-ready, you’re not limited on the way you can use the device.
For this reason, it’s a good fishing companion in different kinds of fishing environments.
- User-Friendly
As mentioned, it is simple to use and master this portable depth finder.
Like most models, all you have to do is turn on the power and drop the sonar transducer into the water.
Users of kayaks, pontoon boats, canoes, ski jets, rowboats, float tubes, and other similar vessels will find the tool convenient.
The compact size ensures that there aren’t too many adjustments required to explore its functions fully.
If you’re usually fishing for bass, crappie, or trout, using the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 is proven to be significantly effective.
- Functionality
The LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 has five sensitivity levels that are adjustable to maintain its detection accuracy in any condition.
To maximize the detection efficiency, use a low sensitivity setting when fishing in clear waters.
The fish detecting alert function is available to notify you whenever the fish is within the vicinity.
This feature will let you enjoy the sceneries of your area while waiting for the alarm to sound off.
You can turn off the detector alert if you are particular about the location of the fish.
Once you inactivate the alarm, battery life will last longer.
Fishing during the night also works with LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 as background light is available.
- Unit of Measurement
The default unit reading of this device is in meters, but you can change it to feet.
You can change or revert the unit of measurement by pressing and holding the enter button for about three seconds.
How To Use the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818
Getting a cost-effective fish finder and understanding how to use it will help you catch more fish compared to conventional means.
That said, familiarizing yourself with the features of the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 will only bring more success to your fishing trips.
- Monitor Details
Compared to standard grayscale and colored display, this model uses a different color scheme.
To help you adapt faster to using the device, let’s discuss how to read the details displayed on its monitor.
A grayscale fish finder will use shades to depict differences in target density, whereas a colored fish finder would use colors.
Usually, a hard bottom will have a different hue or tint than soft mud. Also, some fish leave a darker imprint than others.
In the case of the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818, the fish, bottom, rocks, reef, and others are shown more straightforwardly.
These elements are represented in simple logos, making them easier to comprehend.
The downside is that the fish size is not identified, which can be cumbersome if you aim to catch bigger fish.
- Sonar Transducer
The transducer of the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 is not limited to getting attached to floats.
Instead, you can fix the device on the boat hull.
Just make sure that you won’t be going too fast because it may affect its effectiveness.
If you don’t want to alter your vessel’s hull, attach a pole to it and let the transducer get submerged in the water.
- Testing Restrictions
As much as possible, avoid testing the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 on fish tanks, pools, washbasins, or buckets.
Alternatives
While our review of the LUCKY Portable Handheld Depth Finder has focused on the most critical features, others might provide even more.
Here are two portable fish finders that could be more tailored to your liking.
Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 With Dual-Beam Transducer
If you’re not a fan of the display layout of the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818, the Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 offers a lot more than that.
- Dynamic Mapping
For serious anglers, mapping is an essential aspect of efficient fishing.
Thanks to the Quickdraw Contours mapping feature, the Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 can make HD fishing maps of the areas you’ve visited.
You can even save up to two million acres of Quickdraw Contours maps you have accumulated with one-inch contours.
While this feature is not necessarily crucial for fish finders, mapping could save you lots of time and effort.
The built-in GPS of the Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 is designed to locate and preserve your position while fishing.
Similar to what you can do on smartphones, the GPS allows you to make and track waypoints for various locations.
Besides fishing spots, you can also mark docks, boat ramps, and other landmarks.
GPS technology also enables the STRIKER Plus 4 to display your speed on the screen.
This feature will ensure that you’re trolling at the appropriate pace for the lure you’re using and the fish you’re trying to catch.
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 PT
Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Perhaps this Humminbird unit will end your search.
The PiranhaMAX 4 PT will give you a new perspective on what’s underneath your boat with its contemporary appearance and bigger display.
It delivers a set of features that many standard fish finders couldn’t hope to match.
- Dual Beam Sonar
This device’s dual beam sonar can produce two concentric cone sonic beams into the water, just beneath its transducer.
One is broader, having a 60-degree opening to help you discover things faster by scanning more water.
Compared to that one, the other sonic beam is narrower, generally 20 degrees, and can give you a clearer view.
These two beams are the reason why the PiranhaMAX 4 PT has a dynamic display.
- Convenience
Expect a revamped Fish ID+, depth alarms, fish alarms, and zoom that are easier to operate from this advanced fish finder.
You can also take it with you on any fishing trip, as the soft-sided carrying case safeguards the device during transportation.
Is the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 Any Good?
The LUCKY Portable Fish Finder 818 is an affordable device designed for beginners and experienced anglers.
While it may lack some dynamic features, it has most of the essential qualities a reliable fish finder should have.
Plus, with its user-friendly interface, you’ll have no issues using it to your advantage.