Vexilar SP100 SonarPhone With Transducer Pod Review

Quick Overview

Living in the digital world, everything and anything can be done with one tap of the finger.

In fact, such advancements in technology have also reached the fishing world.

You’ll now come across hi-tech fishing gear and accessories that you can put to good use.

This Vexilar SP100 Sonarphone With Transducer Pod Review will showcase how tech can make a huge difference in your fishing journey.

We’ll talk about what this device has to offer and whether or not it is the best fish finder option for you.

Vexilar SP100 SonarPhone With Transducer Pod Review

First launched back in 2013, the Vexilar SP100 remains a sought-after fish finder today.

It’s a castable unit suitable for different fishing types like ice, boat, and on-shore fishing.

What most anglers like about it is that you can connect it to your smartphone, which you use as the handheld display.

Offering plenty of reliable data, there’s no doubt that beginners and casual anglers will find this versatile sonar device a worthy buy.

However, pro anglers who have experience using high-end fish finders may find the SP100 lacking in features.

Who Is This Product For?

The Vexilar SP100 SonarPhone is an easy-to-use device for all fishing skill levels, whether newbies or professionals.

It is a water-activated device that does not need a techie mind to figure out how it works.

In other words, the unit will automatically power up once it gets wet.

You’ll want to install the SonarPhone app on your phone and connect it with the fish finder.

Then, place the pod on the water and wait for the data to appear on your phone.

For something as simple as that to operate, it will be effortless for anyone and everyone to use this fish finder.

What’s Included?

Upon purchase, you will find the transducer pod inside the box together with the USB code for charging the pod.

It also comes with a USB cord adapter and a plastic armband pouch for your mobile phone.

Overview of the Features

The Vexilar SP100 is a compact unit that packs a lot of features you need and expect in a portable fish finder.

• Smart Fish Finder

After downloading the SonarPhone app, this Vexilar fish finder connects and sends information to your iOS or Android device.

It is Wi-Fi-enabled and acts as a hotspot, so you can connect to your mobile device anytime, anywhere.

The T-Pod can even support multiple users because of its hotspot technology.

Even better, the T-Pod will turn on and connect to your smartphone within a few minutes of it touching the water.

Then, the underwater cameras will collect the information below the water and send it to your mobile device for viewing and analogy.

Generally, the device can transfer the information wirelessly within a hundred-yard range from all directions.

• Water Activated Transducer

A transducer is one of the significant parts of a fish finder.

It uses sonar beams to transmit underwater images to your mobile devices wirelessly.

However, it will only work if it is dipped into the water before the T-Pod starts transmitting the information to your designated device.

Transmitting at a 125kHz frequency, a single beam of 30-degree-wide angle will identify all the images within its scanning radius.

• Power Output

The Vexilar SP100 comes with 400-watt power output, showcasing increased levels of effectiveness.

Because of this, the device can go into deeper depths and penetrate through weeds and thermocline.

It runs on a rechargeable built-in lithium-ion battery that can last up to four hours on a full charge.

If these batteries are maintained correctly, they can even last up to 500 recharges.

• About the Display

The data you will see depends on the kind of device you decide to use as the receiver.

You will have the option to choose between colored and two-tone images displayed.

As it is, colored screens can display clear and sharper images.

As for the size, larger images will show precise details, and that also depends on the type of device you decide to use.

• Portability and Versatility

Another essential feature of this device is its portability and flexibility.

This specific model is designed for kayak fishing, making it less powerful than the high-end models for big boats.

Nevertheless, it is a versatile transducer pod offering several uses.

You can pull it behind a small boat, cast it with your fishing rod, or throw it into the water from the shore.

However, the SP100 does not support side-scanning.

Instead, it has a precise and reliable depth reader to identify the bottom structure and see-through weeds even at different water temperatures.

• SonarPhone App

Anglers of all skill levels will enjoy the features that come with the SonarPhone App.

It has a Fish ID feature where it shows a fish icon on your device when the T-Pod identifies a fish within its range.

Furthermore, you can enable a fish alarm so that you can hear a sound every time a fish appears within the 30-degree scanning range.

Another app feature worth noting is the Bottom Track Zoom Technology, which allows you to zoom in on specific areas along your path.

You will also receive alerts when the battery is low and if you are treading on shallow water.

• Customizable Screen Options

As a user, you have plenty of customizable options for your screen.

You can use the armband that comes with the package so that you can monitor the readings while doing other things.

Alternatively, you can mount the device or use one with a bigger screen for a better viewing experience.

How To Use the Vexilar SP100 SonarPhone With Transducer Pod?

All anglers will enjoy this easy-to-use Vexilar SP100 portable fish finder.

The reason? Unlike other models, there’s no need to learn any confusing technology to put the device to good use.

You only need to download the SonarPhone App, connect it to your mobile device, place the T-Pod into the water, and wait for the data on your smartphone.

Some users may experience disconnection issues.

If this happens, we suggest turning off the cellular data while connected to the T-Pod to prevent signal interference.

As mentioned, this water-activated unit turns on when wet and pairs with the SonarPhone App instantly.

The T-Pod will then shut down 30 seconds after it is taken out of the water.

You only need to plug the unit using the USB charging cord and adapter to recharge the batteries.

Alternatives

Now, for the sake of comparison, let’s check on other options on the market.

This way, we can see how they fare with the Vexilar SP100 in all aspects.

Garmin Striker Cast

If you are willing to spend a few more dollars for fishing gear, try checking out the Garmin Striker Cast.

Like the Vexilar SP100, it is a castable sonar that you can pair with your smart device.

This rugged sonar device works well with the free downloadable Striker Cast App for both Android or Apple devices.

You can stream sonar wirelessly as you locate and display fish on your smartphone.

What’s more, it offers a quick and easy setup right out of the box.

You can start fishing after you have downloaded and paired the app with your gadget.

You’ll enjoy streaming the ice fishing flasher or the traditional 2D from up to 200 feet away from the Striker through your mobile or tablet wirelessly.

Moreover, the Garmin Striker Cast can perform well in either deep or shallow waters.

You can even download maps through the Garmin Quickdraw Community up to one-foot contours.

The battery life may depend on how you use the Striker, but generally, it can last up to 10 hours on a full charge.

Anyway, it comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that you can recharge using a USB charging cable.

Since the Striker is a water-activated device, which means it turns on when put on water and turns off when taken out, you save on battery usage.

Lastly, you’ll find that this Striker Cast device will work on any type of water, whether fresh or saltwater, without any problem.

Deeper Start Smart Fish Finder

The Deeper Start Smart is another castable fish detector.

Its lightweight and sleek design make it comfortable to cast and easy to reel in.

Not only will you be able to enjoy a 40-degree wide-angle, but you can also cast it out up to 165 feet.

It is a portable fish finder that does not need external batteries or wires to function.

Its battery can last up to six hours with 2.5 hours of recharging time.

Using its Smart Technology, it can connect via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for mobile data or the internet.

It also features an automatic night fishing mode and saves every scan information with time and location details.

All in all, this easy-to-use fish finder shows the fish size and location, bottom contour and vegetation, and the water depth through the Fish Deeper App.

It is a free mobile app that you can download on either an Android or iOS device.

Is the Vexilar SP100 SonarPhone With Transducer Pod Worth It?

Since the majority use smartphones these days, having a fishing accessory with a smartphone app is the best way to go.

After this Vexilar SP100 SonarPhone With Transducer Pod review, we can say that fishing is now on a different level.

What’s more, comparing the SP100 with the other more expensive models proves that you don’t need to spend too much on adequate fishing gear.