2 Side Imaging transducers

[dmack]

I ask for your patience as I describe my current set up and future plans.

 

I currently have a hbird 859 di unit at the bow and a 898 si unit at the console. My 859 stopped working, it does have power. Hbird wants $300 to service it. I'm thinking rather than spend any more $ on that unit, maybe it's time to upgrade. 

 

I'm looking at going with a Helix 9 Mega SI G2N (I really want to get something with mega imaging). My thought is to use it up front until they come out with mega imaging for di units. At that time I would probably upgrade my back unit as well (moving the side imaging to the back and the down imaging unit up front).

 

If I do purchase a Helix 9 Mega SI G2N it will mean installing another side imaging transducer on the transom. I need advice on this install. I currently have my 898 transducer on the port side on a transducer mounting plate. Would it be best to mount the new transducer on a different plate on the starboard side of the transom? I'm not sure I can get low enough on the plate I'm using for the 898 on the port side.

 

I also have questions regarding the "cross talk" issue. When I move from the back to the front of the boat to fish, do I need to shut down my unit on the console so it doesn't interfere with the new unit up front, or is there a way around that?

 

I apologize for the lengthy post. I would appreciate any help on this I can get.

 

 

 

 

 

[iabass8]

So your 859 on the front stopped working and you are replacing it /w a helix 9 SI but you're mounting the transducer on the back of the boat? Is there a reason you aren't mounting it on the trolling motor..? You are from Iowa. If your future plans are to move the helix 9 to the console at some point, you should just do that initially and move the 898 to the front and mount that on the trolling motor. 

 

Lowrance you just put the unit on standby. Humminbird I think you can only use the stop sonar feature. Not 100% on that. I don't use humminbird. 

[12poundbass]

Move the 898 up front and put the MEGA at the console

[Further North]

Move the older unit and its transducer to the front, put the new Helix at the console and mount the transducer at the transom.

[dmack]

I appreciate the comments. I'm not sure my 898 transducer can be mounted to my trolling motor. I have also been told that you don't want side imaging read from a transducer mounted on a trolling motor due to the constant turning and change in direction. That's why I thought I would mount the Helix transducer on the transom and run the cable up to the bow. 

[12poundbass]

You can absolutely have SI at the bow. I initally thought the same about SI and trolling motors but was set strait by a member on here and more research. Moving your trolling motor will cause minor distortion but it quickly clears up. Look at it like this, if you put your transducer at the transom you're seeing things that are 14'-22' behind  you depending the size of your boat. The choice is ultimately up to you. 

[Further North]

46 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

You can absolutely have SI at the bow. I initally thought the same about SI and trolling motors but was set strait by a member on here and more research. Moving your trolling motor will cause minor distortion but it quickly clears up. Look at it like this, if you put your transducer at the transom you're seeing things that are 14'-22' behind  you depending the size of your boat. The choice is ultimately up to you. 

Spot on here.

 

I did this for years, it works great.

 

In my case I found I wasn't using it and went to DI only on the bow, but I have 360°, so take that for what it's worth.

[dmack]

Good to know. I have been told by a couple people (sales people) that you don't want si up front. I agree with Kicker, I use my si when I'm moving from place to place but primarily di at the bow.

 

I think I have decided to go with a Helix 9 Chirp DI GPS G2N. So the initial question has been dealt with. So I would like my di transducer up front. So that brings up another question. I have a Terrova so I have the built in transducer. They do have an adapter cable for all the Helix models. If I run my unit through that transducer would I be sacrificing anything in terms of the quality of my images? 

 

Moderators-I am moving this question to a new thread as I believe it is irrelevant to the original thread.

[iabass8]

On 7/25/2017 at 7:14 PM, dmack said:

Good to know. I have been told by a couple people (sales people) that you don't want si up front. I agree with Kicker, I use my si when I'm moving from place to place but primarily di at the bow.

 

I think I have decided to go with a Helix 9 Chirp DI GPS G2N. So the initial question has been dealt with. So I would like my di transducer up front. So that brings up another question. I have a Terrova so I have the built in transducer. They do have an adapter cable for all the Helix models. If I run my unit through that transducer would I be sacrificing anything in terms of the quality of my images? 

 

Moderators-I am moving this question to a new thread as I believe it is irrelevant to the original thread.

You won't get DI /w the built in US2 transducer. Only 2d. You will have to use the units supplied transducer to utilize DI at the bow. I have an Ultrex that has a built in transducer too but don't use it as I want DI/mapping/2d up front so I use a separate transducer.