New Boat Elecronics.

[Alpha Male]

So heres the situation. My father-in-law needs some new fishfinders.he prefers lowrance and He wants to get 2, one for the trolling motor and one for the dash. He has a minnkota powerdrive with us2 (universal sonar)So heres the question; what would you do? He would prefer the bigger unit on the trolling motor and the smaller on the on the dash for navigating. Hes not on a budget but needs it to be simple to use and doesnt want to get into all the gizmos. So I am just ruling out the hds series. I am thinking about the elite7 on the bow and the elite 4-5 on the dash but is it worth it to still get something with downscan for the bow? If you had to choose between sonar and downscan what would you pick? I have just recently convinced him the gps in a fishfinder is a must so I would like some input as far as what you look for.

[jbsoonerfan]

If it were me, I would opt for a Lowrance Elite 7 HDI on the TM and an Elite 5 HDI for the console. I don't think you necessarily need downscan on the bow, but in my opinion, it shows more detail.

[Nice_Bass]

I agree above- I have an elite 7hdi/chartplotter at the bow and an HDS 5 and the wheel.

The 5 is plenty for me as I am sitting right in front of it and the 7 is amazing standing at the trolling motor. 

I love the split screen DSI/2d as well as ability to use the chart in the 3 screens at bow. 

I think downscan at the bow is great as I spend most my time there anyhow.  Also, I get 0 interference from my TM on the unit and my cord is actually wrapped around the cable.  I know others have to take additional means to remove it.  Only interference I sometimes get is if I forget to stop the sonar at the wheel before jumping up the fish up front.

[Wayne P.]

If he wants to use the US2 transducer, The Down Scan technology will not work with a 2D transducer.

[Alpha Male]

If he wants to use the US2 transducer, The Down Scan technology will not work with a 2D transducer.

 

I do understand that and its a minor setback as I usually use just sonar and gps while fishing, but I really like downscan when moving around to look for structure.  thank you for your replies.