Help a new guy?

[BigAngus752]

We got our first boat and it has a Hook 7 on the console and another on the front TM.   I've never had a fish finder so we are struggling.  We are starting to understand how to interpret what we are seeing after studying the screenshot sticky on this forum and watching lots of youtube videos.  I am still not confident in my settings for the units but I think I now know we need to be using 83kHz as we fill in 40ft or less all the time.  Just recently figured out that what we are seeing on the screen as we are slowly moving along is a history and not what is under the boat, especially the console unit with the transducer mounted at the back.  

 

What about the front unit?  The transducer is mounted on the TM at the bow.  As I steer with the TM is it affecting the area that is covered by the transducer since the transducer is moving back and forth with the TM?  

 

Also, our boat was a year old when we bought it so both units were set up by the previous owner (who fished the same areas we do).  Any suggestions for "basic" setting to begin learning with?  Or should we go back to defaults and use the set up wizard?

Thanks

[Dorado]

I can't offer any help regarding mounting positions but I proudly own a Hook 4 and offered some setting recommendations below. Hope it helps!

 

 

[gulfcaptain]

First off, if both units are using the same frequency you will have interference when using the trolling motor unless you put the console unit in stand by.  The lower the numbers on the Hz the narrower the band or scope of the area covered.  The only way to get good with a unit is to use it and learn to interpret the information that is given and then learn to make manual adjustments on the settings over time to clean up and maximize the picture.  Remember fish won't always show arches if you're sitting on top of them and not moving, it may look like squiggly solid lines.  And I run my display at the fastest scroll speed as well.

[Team9nine]

If you've "adopted" these units like it sounds, I'd default everything back to factory settings because there is no telling what the previous owner might have done. Much better to start with a fresh palette in this case. Run them on auto for a bit to become familiar with them before doing a bunch of tweaking. Also, don't think you'll want 83kHz alone for most fishing. Either 200 or combined 200/83, but that's tweaking and can come later. Default freshwater will likely start you on 200.

[BigAngus752]

4 hours ago, gulfcaptain said:

First off, if both units are using the same frequency you will have interference when using the trolling motor unless you put the console unit in stand by.  The lower the numbers on the Hz the narrower the band or scope of the area covered.  The only way to get good with a unit is to use it and learn to interpret the information that is given and then learn to make manual adjustments on the settings over time to clean up and maximize the picture.  Remember fish won't always show arches if you're sitting on top of them and not moving, it may look like squiggly solid lines.  And I run my display at the fastest scroll speed as well.

I've got them both set the same right now.  How will I know if they are interfering with each other?

[gulfcaptain]

On 7/17/2017 at 2:17 PM, BigAngus752 said:

I've got them both set the same right now.  How will I know if they are interfering with each other?

 

You will get interferene (cluttered return) in your unit.  Put one in stand by and see if your picture becomes cleaner.  See if some of the clutter/feedback clears up and you get a better return.