The Furuno FCV585 is a follow-on and updated version of the well-respected Furuno 582L dual-frequency color sounder. This fish finder is one of the few pieces of marine electronics on the market today that still uses a rotary knob for control of certain functions.
Fine-tuning the gain control remains a critical element in getting the most out of any top-quality fish finder and having a rotary knob for easy and instant adjustment is, in our opinion, essential. All we can say is thank you Furuno for keeping a rotary gain control knob.
Furuno FCV-585
Our Furuno FCV585 test unit display measured 9.1 inches wide by 9.1 inches high and had a depth right at 4 inches.
The full package ships with the display unit, power cable, owner’s manual, a 1-page operator’s guide, a beefy mounting bracket, and hardware to flush mount the display.
The display unit contains all the essential electronics internally so the only extra component needed for full functionality is a transducer.
Several transducer options are available for the Furuno FCV585.
They run the gamet from 600-watt capable plastic transom-mounts with built-in water temperature sensing to a 1000-watt capable bronze thru-hull with water temperature and speed sensors.
According to Furuno Communications Manager, Jeff Kauzlaric, “If a customer wanted to use one of the transducers that were intended for the larger Furuno FCV1100 that does not have a 10 pin connector they would need to add the MB1100 matching box. The MB1100 takes the combined, dual frequency output from the sounder and splits it so that each frequency is on its own pair of wires.”
We mounted the display using the accompanying bracket; it held securely. There are two twist-lock ports on the case back for the power and transducer cable connections as well as a single ground wire connection.
This unit can interface with NMEA 0183 devices using wiring that is part of the power cable.
Screen Size and Viewability
The Furuno FCV585 is fitted with a color LCD screen measuring nearly 7-inches high and full 5-inches wide; on the diagonal we measured it at 8.4 inches. It features a portrait layout and carries a resolution of 640 pixels vertically and 480 on the horizontal.
With its nearly 7-inch screen height this Furuno sounder has a large pixel count displaying the water depth. As a matter of fact, in height it is the screen equivalent of most landscape layout 12-inch screens.