Wayne P.

For waters covered, don't need to pre-mark any potential fishing locations with Lakemaster Smartstrike. Just enter the species, time of year, water color, and lake area, then the software will predict fishing locations:

The best installation is a transom transducer and trolling motor transducer. Sonar data would be where you are instead of a boat length away if sharing a transducer. Since the Edge is a 5 speed motor, you may can get by with the transducer that comes with the 859 attached to the trolling motor if you get an adapter (less chance of RFI issues). BUT I would still use the proper transducer for the application which is a trolling motor PUCK and needs no mount (comes with stainless steel hose clamps). Two choices for the DI pucks: XTM 9 DI 25 T uses the same 2D frequencies as the transom DI transducer 200/455 kHz. XTM 9 WIDE DI 20 T that is tuned for 83/200 kHz and matches the 2D of the SI unit. Three choices for the console SI unit transducer: 1. Attach the SI transducer at the bottom of the hull so it can give you 2D/Depth when on plane. 2. Attach the SI transducer above the hull bottom to prevent possible impact damage and use a dual beam 2D transducer XNT 9 20 at the hull bottom (less expensive). Then connect the two transducers to the display with the AS SIDB Y cable. 3. Attach the SI transducer above the hull bottom and use an Alumaducer shoot-thru for on-plane 2D/Depth. The two transducers connected to the display with the AS SIDB Y cable.

The Side Imaging transducer has to be plugged into the back of the Side Imaging unit. You should have both transducers installed. "Setup" is the same with or without the switch that you don't need. What boat do you have and what brand/model of trolling motor?

No problem using contour mapping created by the computer software. http://www.humminbird.com/productCategory.aspx?compatibleProducts=600032-1&ps=all

Most all Humminbirds units in recent history are compatible with the contour maps that Auto Chart and Auto Chart Pro creates. It performs like Lakemaster digital mapping in a sonar/GPS unit. Auto Chart Pro creates extra map features like bottom hardness and SI mosaics. The Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2 I have has built-in Auto Chart Live, and so does a couple of other units. Which one of the 15+ versions of Helix 7 did you get?

Linking the two units and no other unit or Ethernet accessory just takes an Ethernet dongle connected to each unit and the Ethernet cable between the two dongles. Only need the Ethernet switch if you want to add other Ethernet devices. Any Y cable you got involves transducers for a single unit. You cannot get dedicated DI for either unit without a DI transducer connected to the 859ci HD DI Combo. A Compact SI or HDSI transducer does not have a dedicated DI sonar crystal to support the DI circuit in a DI unit. You cannot get SI or blended DI for either unit without a SI transducer connected to the 899ci HD SI Combo. You can share the sonar technologies via Ethernet. You select the sonar source for each unit in their Ethernet menu. You don't have to connect the DI transducer to the DI unit, and you can view SI/DI/2D/GPS/Temp from the SI unit via Ethernet. If you don't attach a transducer to a unit, turn SONAR OFF so the unit will not be broadcasting sonar pulses on unloaded circuits ( may damage the unit processor ).

If you fish offshore waypoints and what to know where you are in relation to them while fishing, you need GPS at the bow also.

The Tracker was the hull size I was looking for at the time 16' 2". Plenty wide for more than one angler so it has good stability. Did not need anything longer since I fish alone most of the time. I have seen lots of 20'-21' fiberglass bass boats there using their trolling motors. Occasionally there will be a poacher using the big motor.

Nowhere near like the shallow water anchors do. To functionally hold position with anchors, you have to have enough rope length deployed to turn an anchor on its side so it has any grip. Just dropping an anchor straight down has no hold at all with any wind, current, or increasing depth change. I have fished with someone that had two of the Minnkota deckhands with 20# mushroom anchors. Additionally in river systems, you can get an anchor hung up in rocks and loose it if you are not willing to dive down and free it.

This is how my Tracker was setup before I got the hull wet the first time.

A good period to learn the lake is when the water level is about 2' below full pool so you can see what you can't see at normal water levels-- like this: And this:

I started fishing Briery Creek when it was first opened to fishing in Jan 1989. Then I was using a 10' aluminum jon boat with just electric trolling motors. I later got a 2.2 Merc to save on battery power when going long distances. The lake is about 4 miles long and in the beginning there was only the dirt ramp near the dam. There is a mid-lake ramp/parking lot at the end of Rt 701 on the East side of the lake. Also back then the trees were so thick you could not see across the lake-- it looks like a lot of open water now, but most of the trees are broken off just below the surface. I later got a 12' aluminum jon boat with a 9.9 Merc 2-stroke and bow trolling motor. I got so familiar with the lake that I could run the entire length on plane at 20-25 mph. After I retired, I sold my fiberglass bass boat and both jon boats. Never took the fiberglass boat to Briery Creek. I currently have a Tracker PT 170 TX that is setup for that lake and similar ones with a 9.9 Merc 4-stroke and bow trolling motor. Lost a lot of speed due to weight but I still have no problem navigating since I know how/where to avoid the stumps just under the surface. I do get hung up on stumps occasionally when navigating out of the "preferred" travel lanes while fishing. I see all sorts of craft there from large V hulls to paddle boards. The 10 HP restriction is still in effect just like at Sandy River and Lake Nottoway. I see lots of Tracker 175's with 9.9's. Your concern would be room for more than just you if you want to take someone with you and how much gear you want to have with you. Also your choice of propulsion.

A single unit or more than one? What sonar technology do you want and do you want GPS/mapping also? Lots of new models coming out and the discontinued ones are on close-out sale.

Look at the posted screen shots above to see what each sonar technology looks like. There are some that have Down Imaging, Side Imaging, and 2D sonar displayed at the same time.

Another reason for the GPS antenna and transducer to be in the same place. I collect sonar/GPS data to create contour maps and I also do Live contour mapping (Auto Chart Live and Sonar Charts Live). When my depth readout indicates 10', I want the created contour line to be at 10' with no distance error. Along with that, I use the depth offset to add the depth my transducer is below the surface so the contour lines are at the actual water depth, not the distance between the transducer and bottom. Additionally I do not do contour mapping at other than normal water levels unless the level difference can be offset by the depth offset setting. If I decide to take the time to collect the data, I want it accurate. Those with Lowrance units getting the latest software to have Navionics Sonar Charts Live should consider the addition of an external GPS antenna if they don't already have one placed properly for accuracy.

They are attracted to plastic worms:

I prefer and use Humminbird Side Imaging. I choose that brand for its shallow water performance and it is the original recreational imaging product. My first one was a 5" square screen and sold it early this year. I have a 12.1" display, three 10.4" displays, and a 7" display. Yes I have used and am using a Side Imaging transducer on my trolling motor. Been doing that since I got the first Side Imaging unit. As far a screen size, BIGGER is better. Get the largest that fits your budget. A larger screen size at the bow is recommended since the display is farther from your eyes than at the console. No matter what the display location is, using split screen works best with the larger displays.

Imaging has to scan (motion) to create the picture-like images. Just turning a Side Imaging transducer 90 degrees to point front and back does not scan. You can somewhat simulate 360 with a side scanning transducer, but the screen scroll rate and rate of turning the transducer has to be somewhat exact. I used to do that before I got a 360. In any case you won't have the circular view to display the images like using a 360 transducer and 360 view. The upper 3/4 of this screen shot is simulating 360 where I was keeping up with a school of bass chasing a shad school that was shown at the bottom of the screen shot. This is what the same scenario looks like using 360:

The CV units have traditional 2D sonar and what used to be called DownVu. It does not have SideVu. Since it does not have SideVu, it can face either way on the trolling motor. This is the specs for that model: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/576398#specs A Garmin with SideVu would have SV in the model name. The equivalent Helix 5 would be the Helix 5 DI GPS or Helix 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2. If you end up with a unit that has the side looking imaging, a larger display is preferable since the size of displayed subjects is based on the range you set it to display instead of the depth like regular sonar and the down looking imaging.

iPilot is a standalone function and involves no sonar unit. It is located in the top of the motor. US2 is a sonar transducer in the motor lower unit and it is adaptable for many brands of 2D sonar units. Just takes the appropriate adapter cable. A Humminbird 541 is a grey scale 2D sonar unit discontinued over three years ago that will use the US2 transducer with a Humminbird 7 pin adapter cable MKR-US2-8. It has no capability to use the iPilot Link which is a Ethernet connection to a compatible Humminbird unit that uses Lakemaster digital mapping for the "follow the contour" function and have more memory that the iPilot has for tracks and waypoints. Ulterras can have iPilot, or iPilot Link, and a US2 transducer. The new Ulterras (just became available) have an additional accessory which is a Bluetooth heading sensor to make spot lock more accurate. That sensor comes with the iPilot and the iPilot Link version. The minimum current Humminbird model that can use the iPilot Link and US2 is the Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G2N All the larger screen Helix models can use LINK.

Download this Humminbird sonar technology sharing matrix so you can see what can be shared with what units: http://www.humminbird.com/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10463

As far as a mount system, it depends on the waters you fish as to how solid of a mount you would want to use. The most solid is a bridge mount over the trolling motor foot pedal tray. Bass Boat Technologies and Dek-It are a couple. There are flexible mounts also.

You don't have to use a Side Imaging unit to have Side Imaging if you can get that from another source. Since the 360 is a Side Imaging transducer that rotates, you can use a Sonar or DI model at the bow and get Side Imaging from the 360. BUT the images won't be as sharp as when using a HDSI transducer on the trolling motor due to the shorter SI crystals (same as the Compact SI transducer). I personally would use a Side Imaging unit at the bow with a Side Imaging transducer on the trolling motor (well that is what I have always done with 5 different SI units) For the console units, you can just use the SI unit's transducer for both units. You have to do that anyway since the two units will cross-talk when operating at the same time with transducers connected to both. If you have a suitable fiberglass hull, you can put a shoot-thru in the bilge, put the SI transducer on the transom/jackplate and share the shoot-thru with both units and share SI/DI with both units also. To do that, you connect both transducers to the SI unit and then share the sonar technologies via Ethernet. Additionally you can share all data with all three units via Ethernet. That takes the Ethernet switch and then all three units and the 360 connected to that. Then when fishing you can display 360 at the console on either unit for your co-angler while you are viewing 360 at the bow.

That does not surprise me. I have seen clueless installations many times by BPS.

No simple answer to describe the Hook series. The Hook series is sort of an in-between model of the Mark series and Elite series. There are a lot of former and current Elite models, just 2D, 2D with GPS, 2D/GPS/DS, same without GPS, then Elite CHIRP with no GPS--with GPS- 2D and 2D/DS. Also Ti models Go to the Lowrance website, select Products, and click on Hook, Mark, and both Elite versions to see how many versions there are now. http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/ Several layers of price points to suit most budgets. Just have to pay attention to the actual functions of each.