Wayne P.

To function properly the transducer has to be at the bottom of the hull where the water is when on plane. Where you have it isn't.

That is what I look for during the cold water period. I use the FishID setting to determine if there are any suitable predators like in your picture that are feeding. Makes the decision to try to catch easier.

Another example of accurate GPS. This is a brush pile waypoint created a few years before this screen shot with another HB Sonar/GPS unit. In relation to the boat, it is at about 220 degrees. It is displayed on the 360 view at that position and distance. The green ring around the waypoint is a 30 radius and the 360 distance rings are 10'. The position boat icon is oriented with a Heading Sensor.

I choose equipment with more accurate GPS so I don't have to search the area in the vicinity of a waypoint to find the subject. Here are some GPS diagnostic screen shots with external GPS antennas that I use: This is with a Humminbird Helix 12 internal GPS antenna sitting on my desk: When I use the H12 on my boat, it is connected to an external GPS antenna with heading sensor for better accuracy. Those with other setups should post their GPS diagnostic results to see what is the current performance. The HDS one I posted was before there was a Point1 GPS antenna. I had requested those HDS ones as part of a comparison test that I and several others were doing since a lot of units were getting away from external GPS antennas to internal GPS antennas.

I would use all Helix 12's. BIGGER is better. I would chose the Helix 12 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N for all of them. Then add the bow 360. You can just afford one 12" model, put that at the bow. Your eyes will be farther from the display so the larger images are more easily seen from a distance. Two Helix 10's at the console would work OK. Helix 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N. The G2N versions have a dedicated Down Imaging crystal in the SI transducer like the ONIX SI units do.

You are forgetting a little inconvenient detail. To have the same waypoint to sonar return relationship, you have to approach the waypoint from the same direction as when you created it. Otherwise the error will be as much as double when approaching from the opposite direction. The PROPER setup is a transom located external GPS antenna paired with the console unit and use the internal GPS antenna with the bow unit. That way no matter which unit you use to navigate to a waypoint, the GPS-to-sonar return will be the same (antenna and transducer in the same location). Once created, a waypoint is a location on the planet that can be navigated directly to by anyone with those co-ordinates using any GPS/sonar brand/model.

Swithfire is what Humminbird units have that gives you two ways to control sonar sensitivity. Swithfire CLEAR is mostly automatic, Switchfire MAX is just manual. For the Humminbird Helix 7 models, ONLY the Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N model will connect to the Humminbird 360 transducer. That transducer is an Ethernet accessory. BUT you don't need a Side Imaging unit to run the 360. That can be displayed on a Sonar model or Down Imaging model and can provide Side Imaging to those models IF they are the G2N versions. 360 is Side Imaging that rotates. CHIRP is multi-frequency band sonar. Instead of a single frequency for each sonar pulse, there is a range of frequencies for each pulse. Example is 200 kHz for 2D sonar or in the same band a multi-frequency of 175-225 kHz CHIRP. CHIRP gives better target separation. All units and brands that have the side looking imaging technology have GPS/mapping. DragonFly is a Raymarine model with the imaging technoloy copied from Humminbird. In your price range for Humminbird that can support 360 and has Side Imaging, that would be the Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N model. The bow 360 version is $1,000 MSRP extra. The Humminbird Helix models replaced all the units that have number names like the 598ci HD SI Combo. That model was discontinued about 4 years ago.

WRB, the units I have will create a waypoint from the history on the screen very accurately---have done dozens. Assisted with a SAR operation and marked a "target" on the screen history, then lead the dive team directly to it. Not only that I can play a sonar log on my computer with HumViewer software and determine an accurate waypoint on the Side Imaging view to load to all my units. Can do the same by playing back sonar logs in the unit itself in my den to create accurate waypoints. The Lowance should do the same with Side Scan, as well as Garmin and Raymarine. GPS antenna proximity to the transducer is the only error there should be.

The accuracy is based on the GPS accuracy at the time you create a waypoint and the accuracy of GPS when you return to a waypoint. Additionally when you mark a waypoint based on sonar returns, the location is in relation to GPS antenna. If the antenna is not where the transducer is, you will have created a position error of the distance between the antenna and transducer. If you return to the waypoint from the same direction as created, the error will be the same. If you return to the waypoint from the opposite direction, the error will be double. For a console mounted display, an external GPS antenna at the transom will give you better waypoint accuracy. You can check the GPS accuracy with the GPS diagnostic view. This is a HDS with remote antenna connected:

You are correct about the motor weight is irrelevant, it's the HORSEPOWER above the hull rating--that is your liability issue---look up the definition of liability. You prop a motor at its max rpms. Just because you may can go 80 mph does not mean you have to. There is a throttle involved that you control. Just a simple web search found this: http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Evinrude__E235STLCO_2.6XP__235hp__1985/bpe/57e2352 and this: http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?143289-1982-Evinrude-235

And the unit is 2D sonar. It does not do any imaging from any company--DS, SS, DV, SV, CV, SI, or DI.

There is no sonar unit communication with iPilot. iPilot Link is the Ethernet connection to a Humminbird unit to use the Follow-the-contour feature with Lakemaster mapping and have more waypoints and tracks memory. If the motor has a US2 transducer, you can use that for 2D sonar, but has nothing to do with iPilot.

Getting back in the boat was discussed on another forum about adding a ladder. You need something to PULL you onto the deck no matter what method you use to elevate yourself.

The US2 transducer is 2D sonar-only and can be adapted to most any brand. iPilot does not connect to any sonar unit. iPilot Link is an Ethernet connection only to Ethernet capable Humminbird units.

The new Helix 7 CHIRP G2N series is Ethernet capable. Sonar, DI, and SI versions. The Helix 9 Sonar GPS is the least expensive 9" model. There will be a Helix 9 CHIRP GPS G2N for Sonar and DI and a Helix 9 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N unit also. Forgot to add that the best bang of the buck has been the Helix 10 and 12 series that have been on sale for about $800- $1000 off MSRP for at least a month.

That extra set of wires is not capable of supporting the unit correctly--too much voltage drop. You need larger conductors from the battery to the bow to reduce the voltage loss under load for the length of the wire run. I use either 12 gauge or 10 gauge marine wiring--actually have both since I was using an ONIX 10 SI NT at the bow after I had ran the 12 gauge for the Humminbird 1198 before that.

You have to order the model that fits the mount you have. If you look at the videos at the bottom of the link, it shows the larger size for the D mounts. You just have to go through the RAM parts list like I did and find that larger size. I am not going to do it for you.

It depends on the intelligence of the installer doing an Imaging unit. Some don't have a clue. Ask if they have an installer that has ever successfully installed a Humminbird Side Imaging unit.

If you are adding treble hooks, the best ones for less fouling is the split shank trebles like the Silver Buddy has. Using a split ring effectively adds length to the treble shank, more flexibility, and more hook fouling.

I catch more and larger bass with a Krazy Blake than a Silver Buddy or Damiki. The waters I fish are slightly to heavy stained and the extra vibration seems to get more attention.

Must be OK since you didn't get the ( *** ) instead of the video.

http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Winner__ZZ880_Mach_II__1987/bp/66b102216 Looks like the boat you are interested in is a liability nightmare.

I was there on Nov 2 and the water level was 2' above normal pool. The week before, it was 7 1/2' above normal pool. Two weeks prior it was below normal pool. Way to early to speculate. It all depends on how much snow and rain prior to March 11. Ask about it in early March.

Maybe not. I use/have used Humminbird Side Imaging transducers on my trolling motor. Works great. You may want to fully investigate exactly what technologies that model has. CV (meaning ClearVu) is the renamed DownVu SideVu (SV) is still a used product name.