Mount Location
If your boat is an open-deck style, such as a Jon boat or Boston Whaler, it will be difficult to find shaded areas along the transom or the deck. Mount the fish finder on a section of the boat where the unit will have the optimal amount of shade from any available structure. Purchasing an after-market shade visor is another option. Take the measurements of your unit and the space where you will mount it, and find a shade visor of the appropriate size. Mount it over the unit to provide shade from the sun and allow for solid reading of the screen, even in bright conditions.
LCD Films and Screens
LCD film covers are thin, translucent screens that act as UV filters and polarized barriers; when placed on the display screen of a depth or fish finder, they cut down on sun glare. Sheets can be cut into custom sizes for a particular unit. The downside to using these protective films is a loss of up to 10 percent of the display's image contrast and brightness.
Color Screens
If you are purchasing your first fish or depth finder, look for models equipped with glare-resistant color screens. Newer units have screens designed to provide maximum viewing despite sun glare. Even with these units, adding an anti-glare film to the screen's surface reduces an extra layer of glare and makes the screen more visible in bright sun.
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
