Wayne P.

You already have it, just need the Lowrance adapter: http://lr.factoryoutletstore.com/details/58001/lowrance-000-10978-001.html?category_id=20501 I would suggest a better one though made by Transducer Shield and Saver: http://www.transducershieldandsaver.com/home/transducers?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58&category_id=5

The transducer will work with any newer models except the DI models. It can be used in tandem with a Side Imaging transducer if you want to protect the SI transducer from possible impact damage and just have the one you have at the hull bottom or as a shoot-thru. The Helix 5 Sonar or Helix 5 Sonar GPS would be a good replacement.

IF you installed the transducer correctly for your hull, it will do OK with just the factory settings. Adjust the Chart Speed to match the GPS speed.

Size 1 http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/dressed-treble-hooks/812735.aspx

You can use the Lowrance 83/200 kHz transducer for 2D sonar with a Humminbird unit. Just need the MotorGuide Humminbird adaptor.

The Mark series is incompatible with any other unit of any brand. It is a less expensive stand-alone unit. Compatibility means they will share stuff with other units The Elite series is NOT Structure Scan compatible. The Elite 7 CHIRP is available with or without GPS/mapping. It does 2D sonar and Down Scan. If you want Structure Scan which is Side Scan and Down Scan, that takes the HDS series.

You can get a single unit that does Side Imaging, Down Imaging, dual beam 2D Sonar, GPS/Mapping with a single transducer and color display for less than $500. Humminbird Helix 5 SI GPS

If you are interested in Humminbird units: A Humminbird Side Imaging unit does Side Imaging, Down Imaging, 2D sonar --single transducer, and GPS. A Humminbird Down Imaging units do Down Imaging and 2D sonar and are available with or without GPS. A Humminbird Sonar units just does 2D sonar and if a Combo unit also has GPS.

Structure Scan is a Lowrance trade name and is both Side Scan and Down Scan. ONLY the HDS models can do both if you purchase the additional transducer. The Elite models cannot do Side Scan and are available in a 2D model or 2D/Down Scan model with or without GPS. Pay attention to the complete model names Garmin's trade name for the imaging technology is called DownVu and SideVu. The SV models do both Down, Side, and 2D sonar. The DV models do just DownVu and 2D.

The Elite 7 CHIRP does Down Scan and 2D sonar. The DSI units are not made anymore.

Print the manual yourself, it is a pdf file on the Humminbird website FREE. You don't need the whole manual, just the parts that have the settings you want to learn. Print just those pages. I have the Helix manual on my computer and I don't have a Helix. I have a paper manual that came with my 798ci SI Combo in late 2009. There has been so many changes in the operation software, it is just useful for general reference now. It is more practical to have digital manuals.

I can help you with the transom trolling motor control. Get a couple of continuous duty coil solenoids ( like used on ATV's for the winch lockout) one for each motor. Use them on the trolling motor positive side. Control them with a Big Foot switch with that circuit parallel with the two solenoid control connections. Push the Big Foot switch to energize both solenoids. That is what I did before I found out that two 55# trolling motors is not 110# of thrust. Trolling motor thrust is based on motor RPM's. I sold both 12V 55# thrust motors and replaced them with a single 24V 80# thrust transom motor and got more speed. The 80# thrust motor uses the exact same prop as the 55# motors. https://www.warn.com/atv/accessories/ATV-ReplaceSolenoid.shtml I have my boat setup for HP restricted waters and electric-only waters. This is my original setup before the hull got wet the first time.

50# superline

Humminbird GPS antennas connect to the display directly-typically, They use no power separately. When the unit is off, so is the antenna. If you have two units connected together to share GPS data, that data box (AS INTERLINK) is powered and needs a disconnect switch--it can be the boat fuse panel. The antenna is not powered then, just the data box. Those "quite a few instances" are other brands that do their external GPS antenna connections differently-does not apply to Humminbird. I think the old way that Lowrance did it was with a powered antenna 8-10 years ago and then later a powered network.

Each unit should have its own dedicated power run to the battery unless you install a dedicated power block just for the electronics. NO switches. The units have a power button. That is all you need. You don't solder to the battery, you solder the wire splices. Yes use ring terminals at the battery. Explain why you keep referring to the GPS antenna being powered? Are your two units sharing a GPS antenna that is connected to an INTERLINK box ? If so then that can be powered by the boat wiring harness fuse panel and shut off with the main power switch.

You probably have the unit power cord connected to the boat wiring harness. That is the first mistake. Next is the fit of the display on the quick disconnect mount and the power cord plug that is in it. The quickest and easiest fix is to remove the display from the mount, locate the power cord plug with its two pins. Very gently and very little, adjust the two power cord pins in any direction. Do it so little you cannot tell you did. Use a pencil point. The little pins still have to line up with the little holes in the display receptacle---LOOK at them. Replace the display. Next disconnect the power cord from the boat wiring harness. extend the power cord directly to the battery with at least 14 gauge marine grade wire--solder and waterproof the splices. Put a spade type fuse/holder at the battery with a 3A fuse on the positive wire (red). Those two will solve your unit issue.

Do yourself a favor and completely learn how to operate it. THEN apply that to fishing. You have a good tool for that.

You narrowed it down to nothing. The Humminbird GPS puck does not "draw power". It is supported directly from the unit. Any power usage is done by the display. The unit has a power button, use it if you don't want the unit operating. It turns off the whole unit. If you don't have a large enough or healthy enough battery to support the unit and start the engine, Get a bigger battery or a least maintain the one you have. Bottom line is fix your power issue, it is not the GPS antenna. You have this discontinued unit: http://www.humminbird.com/Products/595c-Combo/

If you want to catch "pigs" use a pig catcher: http://www.***.com/Nichols_Ben_Parker_Magnum_Flutter_Spoon_8/descpage-NCMAGSP.html

What do you consider "structure" and how do you want it displayed? Look at the Screenshot post at the top to see what technology you would like to have.

That is way I carry several sizes of lipless crankbaits. Just have to match the bait size to compete.

The natural color of the superlne fibers is white, the only thing that can happen to it is get dirty. Any colored versions of superline have a coating since the material cannot be dyed. The coating washing off is why it fades.

The sales person doesn't have a clue. GPS mapping is a fishing tool.

Look for yourself. Current maps are on the Navionics website's Web App. Whatever you see on the Web App will be on the Mobile App.

The 8 carrier braided lines are less noisy in rod guides than the 4 or 6 carrier no matter what brand it is. As far as digging in, that is a matter of line tension when putting the line on the reel spool. It is also a result of lower tension on the line in use. The larger diameter superlines dig in less under tension. If you like 25# mono, get a superline in that diameter ( maybe 150# test), it's all about the diameter. You won't pull as hard on a mono line that is the same diameter as the superlines you listed. If you did it would break and not dig in.