A Few Electronic Questions

[Fabricator]

First please forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject, but that would be why I joined these boards anyways.

I'm in the market for a new boat, I'm looking at a nitro,skeeter, or maybe even a bullet, I hope to get some feedback on boats as we'll to gps/sonar. So far I'd like to add a Minn Kota with Ipilot, and I'm trying to figure out what gps I should pair with it to get best results from this.

Also I would like to add the new Hummingbird 360 scan on the bow, with gps/sonar in the dash.

First what should I look for in a dash mounted scanner, and Second what are the pros/cons to the differ t brands.

Last but not least could some point a video out to help reading the bottom composition/fish on sonar?

[slonezp]

Ipilot works on it's own. Ipilot Link works in conjunction with the Humminbird graphs. 360 works in conjunction with the Humminbird SI graphs. Look up Doug Vahrenberg and Jason Halfen on youtube for the Humminbird and Minn Kota instructional videos.

[Fabricator]

Thanks Slone

[Wayne P.]

If you want a bow 360  with a flush mount SI unit at the bow, you had best hurry with your purchase.

The 798ci HD SI Combo has been discontinued and there is no replacement for that size unit that is Ethernet capable.

The 360 is an Ethernet accessory.

 

Not only that, you cannot use a bow 360 with an electric steer trolling motor--iPilot models. The 360 clamps to the non-rotating upper shaft of a cable steer Minnkota. It can be adapted to fit a Motor Guide cable steer motor-I have that setup.

 

[slonezp]

Doesn't stop you from a transom 360 

[MarkH024]

Between Slonezp and WayneP they are hands down some of the most knowledgeable "boat/electronics" guys on these forums.  You're in good hands with them. I'd research some of their past postings with similar discussions as you may find answers with in that may help you even further. 

As far as Slonezp fishing skills....that I'm unsure of. 

[slonezp]

Between Slonezp and WayneP they are hands down some of the most knowledgeable "boat/electronics" guys on these forums.  You're in good hands with them. I'd research some of their past postings with similar discussions as you may find answers with in that may help you even further. 

As far as Slonezp fishing skills....that I'm unsure of. 

To be fair, I learned much of what I know about Humminbird set ups from WayneP. The rest by trial and error

[Fabricator]

Maybe I'm just being lazy for wanting a iPilot, just thought I would be much easier to troll along contours, and focus on just fishing. In all fairness the only reason I've considered the 360 was, is that it can scan the front half of the bow. I'm just at a total loss for what is the best bang for the buck on the bow end.

[slonezp]

I've had an Ipilot since it first came out and just bought a new Terrova with the Link, and I'm just waiting for the snow to melt.  The follow the contour feature, to me, seems worth the extra money. Kind of a set it and forget it feature.  The 360 videos I've seen look promising. Only you can decide how to spend the money. I'm willing to bet, someone will eventually come out with a universal bow mount for the 360, so the electric steer guys can utilize the technology. If you're a bank beater, I'd go either way. If you're an off shore guy, 360 might be a better option

[Wayne P.]

I've had an Ipilot since it first came out and just bought a new Terrova with the Link, and I'm just waiting for the snow to melt.  The follow the contour feature, to me, seems worth the extra money. Kind of a set it and forget it feature.  The 360 videos I've seen look promising. Only you can decide how to spend the money. I'm willing to bet, someone will eventually come out with a universal bow mount for the 360, so the electric steer guys can utilize the technology. If you're a bank beater, I'd go either way. If you're an off shore guy, 360 might be a better option

The deal with a 360 is you have to have a deploy system. The bow 360 is attached to the trolling motor shaft that has a folding mount.

The transom 360 has its own powered deploy system.

 

An electric steer motor has no deploy system other than man handling the motor to raise and lowering it and the mount is all stationary.

 

One could invent a bow bracket for the bow 360 that could be retracted. A folding trolling motor mount used with cable steer motors could be modified for that purpose.

 

The main thing to consider is the length of the bow 360. The shaft length is 21' and the total length is 27" including the transducer on the end of the shaft. 

Your boat's freeboard would have to be figured in to have the reach to get the transducer submerged.

 

If I had an electric steer motor and wanted the bow 360, I would make my own deploy system.

When I was dealing with trolling motor RFI, I made a bow bracket for the SI transducer so I could use SI at the bow until I got that resolved.

 

I was discussing that unit with an ice fisherman recently. His deploy system will be his hand to get the transducer below the ice. I have seen a picture of the transom 360 mounted to an ATV for ice fishing.

 

Where there is a will, there is a way.

[slonezp]

The deal with a 360 is you have to have a deploy system. The bow 360 is attached to the trolling motor shaft that has a folding mount.

The transom 360 has its own powered deploy system.

 

An electric steer motor has no deploy system other than man handling the motor to raise and lowering it and the mount is all stationary.

 

One could invent a bow bracket for the bow 360 that could be retracted. A folding trolling motor mount used with cable steer motors could be modified for that purpose.

 

The main thing to consider is the length of the bow 360. The shaft length is 21' and the total length is 27" including the transducer on the end of the shaft. 

Your boat's freeboard would have to be figured in to have the reach to get the transducer submerged.

 

If I had an electric steer motor and wanted the bow 360, I would make my own deploy system.

When I was dealing with trolling motor RFI, I made a bow bracket for the SI transducer so I could use SI at the bow until I got that resolved.

 

I was discussing that unit with an ice fisherman recently. His deploy system will be his hand to get the transducer below the ice. I have seen a picture of the transom 360 mounted to an ATV for ice fishing.

 

Where there is a will, there is a way.

I have the track system on my Lund. I think it could be relatively easy to make a deploy system out of an old trolling motor shaft and a hinged bracket. Attach the bracket to the track and fold it up when not in use. Wayne, how much does the unit weigh? 

[Wayne P.]

The transducer/shaft is about 2#-3# without the mount bracket. The mount bracket is very heavy for aluminum.

The UPS label states shipping weight is 12#

[Wayne P.]

BTW, while you are figuring out stuff, the shaft diameter is 1 1/8" and the Ethernet cord and power cord are 8' long plus the power connection has a extra 6' of wire with a quick disconnect plug.

 

So if the 360 pole is too short, just extend it with a tube/conduit/pvc pipe with an inside diameter of 1 1/8".

Then size the mount for the extension.

[Wayne P.]

[Fabricator]

I've had an Ipilot since it first came out and just bought a new Terrova with the Link, and I'm just waiting for the snow to melt. The follow the contour feature, to me, seems worth the extra money. Kind of a set it and forget it feature. The 360 videos I've seen look promising. Only you can decide how to spend the money. I'm willing to bet, someone will eventually come out with a universal bow mount for the 360, so the electric steer guys can utilize the technology. If you're a bank beater, I'd go either way. If you're an off shore guy, 360 might be a better option

My main plan is to burn up the shallows, then again I would love to sit a little ways out, so I can fish earlier and later into the year.

I'm sure if I sat down for a few hours I could fabricate something for the "radar" mount. So I've narrowed it to the Hummingbird 899si in the dash, and 360 up front. I should be able to link the 899 with the iPilot right?

[Wayne P.]

My main plan is to burn up the shallows, then again I would love to sit a little ways out, so I can fish earlier and later into the year.

I'm sure if I sat down for a few hours I could fabricate something for the "radar" mount. So I've narrowed it to the Hummingbird 899si in the dash, and 360 up front. I should be able to link the 899 with the iPilot right?

Yes, the iPilot Link and the 360 are Ethernet accessories. You would need the 5-port Ethernet Hub AS ETH 5PS to connect all of it together. The 899 would need the Ethernet adaptor AS EC QDE.

[slonezp]

You also need the latest Lakemaster region card for the unit. Just so you're aware, the Navionics cards do not work with the 899.You can't use them to operate Link anywa, but if you moved up to the 999 or 1199,Navionics cards can be used for maps.

[Wayne P.]

You also need the latest Lakemaster region card for the unit. Just so you're aware, the Navionics cards do not work with the 899.You can't use them to operate Link anywa, but if you moved up to the 999 or 1199,Navionics cards can be used for maps.

Yes you can use Navionics software with the 899---- Navionics Hotmaps Premium and Navionics+

You can't use the extra features of the Navionics Hotmaps Platinum.

Correct that the Navionics cards do not have the iPilot Link feature or most of the other Lakemaster features.

 

BTW there is a sale on the 360 units going on now $500 off---Universal Mania is the source.

[Fabricator]

Thank y'all, I've thought about it and will go with the 999 which I will try and mount in the dash. I may even create a fiberglass mold if it doesn't fit, just to keep things looking clean and streamlined. Still planning on the 360 up front, and I'll sit down and fabricate a mount for the "radar". I'm thinking a clamp with some bearning's inside so the iPilot can turn without the Hummingbird being disturbed, who knows if it will work until I get my hands on it, and a drawing board.