I recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with a friend about the zoom feature on Garmin and that carried over to Humminbird. I apologize as the topic only pertains to those who fish with sonar. To be specific 2D sonar and I guess it would also apply to down imaging.

Zoom is a view option on Garmin and Humminbird possibly Lowrance but I don't use Lowrance on the ice.

When I started using my electronics a little over a decade ago I used just about every option possible. Basically I was just trying to learn about what it had to offer. I found zoom or split zoom was handy, but I found that it really didn't do me a whole lot of good. The more I understood the technology. With 2D sonar and down imaging everything you see on the screen is real time sonar with history. The key here is history. As I understood the bottom in relation to fish moving around on it, the zoom just wasn't necessary. Everyone needs to find that out for themselves.

Part of the conversation was practicing or using your unit on the couch! You have to fiddle with the thing so you know what you've got and know how to use it. In the beginning, probably once or twice even three times a week. You might think I'm nuts but in a couple of months I guarantee you will agree with me. You'll get to the point where you're fishing and decide you want to zoom in and you know exactly how to get there rather than fiddling around losing an opportunity to catch a fish.

The only reason you're frustrated with whatever electronics you own is because using it is not second nature. One tip. If you're going to zoom…go into your settings and slow down your chart speed.

⏯ Zoom In For A Closer Look