New to electronics, boat setup

[Busbey]

new to me boat, getting back into freshwater fishing, i have had the deckboat for the family to hit the islands on the weekends and party. so i got back into an aluminum bass boat as i grew up... so, i have a tiller steer and a front casting deck so i am unsure how to get the electronics setup or configured or even which to by. I'm looking at the Garmin Striker 5cv or 7sv or heck even the 4 for the rear and a 5 or 7 up front. i also do not know if i need side or down imaging more. if down imaging is good for me, i could get 2 of the 5's and could be linked up together (i think, right?) so that im in the back on the tiller scoping out the area and when i go up front, i have all the same information as i found on the rear. 

 

this is all my idea, please correct be guys. here is a couple pics of the boat for reference. there is currently a lowrance 4 something $50 job that shows temp and depth and in greyscale so not too much help. also does a horrible job seeing past vegetation and thinks im in 2ft of water when im in 5 with weeds. but i would like to somehow use this if i already have it avaliable, just not sure what it is going to do for me. 

 

usually, ill head out for an evening stroll after work once a week or so, huge lakes in the area called The Chain of Lakes in Winterhaven FL and these are new to me. but i have no idea whats out there. i want to find some bluegill and such for the little ones to catch or troll for bass or im trolling the cat-tails and lilly's with worms or whatever else. but the point is, i have no idea whats down there, i just look and say hey, that looks like a good spot. so i am pretty much all over the place with nothing to show for it. nothing at all. and im ticked! 

 

so help me out guys. do i need side or down imaging for lake fishing thats less than 25ft deep. 

 

 

[12poundbass]

What's your budget?

[slonezp]

One piece of advice. Whatever you choose to get, learn how to read what you are looking at on the graph. Think of the boat as your tool box. Everything you put into that tool box is a means to be successful at fishing. If you don't know how to operate a tool in the correct manner, it will fail you and cause you unneeded frustration. You don't necessarily need to have the best as long as you make the best of what you have,

 

Fish finders have been around for over 50 years and imaging for less than 10 years. Greyscale graphs have been the norm up until 10 years ago as well. No one "needs" imaging. That being said, I wouldn't own a boat without out it. So, as @12poundbassstated above, what's your budget? and What is important to you? Networking, mapping, screen size, ease of use, etc.?

 

[WRB]

This appears to be a multi species boat set up. Can't tell from the photo what hp engine you have? If it's big enough to plane this boat it's too big to troll slow enough with.

The seats are sit down types, no stand up pedistal up front.

You don't need scanning or side imaging sonar to determine how deep it is where you trading. My suggestion is a decent color Chirp sonar/GPS unit within your budget.

Tom

 

[grub_man]

You have a nice looking hull to work with.  Most of my home lakes back in OH are 9.9hp lakes (max depths at the dam between 27' and 50'), and I fish out of a 14' v-hull.  Last year the transducer gave up on my old single cone Humminbird, so I finally had a need to upgrade.  At the time Hummnbird was closing out the 698si units making it a no brainer.  Unfortunately, the boss vetoed getting two complete units.  However, she did support picking up the extra transducer for the trolling motor. 

 

 

The image above shows the boat after I finished re-carpeting the deck several years back.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to take pics of my current rigging for a couple weeks, but if you want, shoot me a PM after the 23rd or so, and I'll gladly show you more details.

 

That said, the HB base is in the same spot, but instead of the transducer running to the back, it goes under the deck, and runs back to my TM battery wire.  From there I wrapped it to the battery wire with electrical tape.(Do not spiral around the wire as spirals create loops and when the current changes inside the loop it will interfere with your depth finder signal.  I've had no issues with running my transducer cables alongside my 12v TM wires.)  Then when I get to the foot pedal, I wrap it to the steering cable, and then down the shaft to the motor head where I have the trolling motor transducer.  Again, do not wrap the transducer wire around the shaft of the motor or steering cable and any interference will be minimized.  Basically in the image above the transducer wire would run right along the top of the steering cable and shaft.  I did have to put in a little dog leg to route around the builtin strap.  The battery cable runs straight along the side of the boat to the battery.

 

At the back, I screwed down a RAM mount to the back bench.  The other unit base is mounted there. The transducer is then mounted to the hull just behind the battery compartment, and I was even able to do a little sanding to make my old transducer bracket work, which meant no new holes in the hull of the boat!

 

Both transducers are SI transducers.  The transducer for the old unit used a different cable than the new on, but it had the correct mount molded into it.  So with a little reading up on the pinning of the transducer, I was able to drill out the appropriate holes and move pins around inside the unit to make it work.  I can now still have access to the single cone signal for the old unit and access to all of the bells and whistles with the new 698 regardless of where they are in the boat.  So, if I am out exploring, I'll run the 698 at the back and the old unit at the front.  If I'm fishing off shore and want to stay on a particular structure, I'll run the 698 up front so I can keep an eye on the map.

 

That is what I went with for my boat.  I'm happy with my 'birds and they work well for me, but if you can find something from Garmin that can make your transition easier, then by all means stay in the Garmin ecosystem.  All of the big manufacturers make incredibly powerful units these days.

 

Okay, now for a few other side notes.

 

Regardless of what unit you are running, it will confuse dense weeds for the bottom.  You might be able to help get around it by turning the sensitivity way down, but even then, there will come a point where enough signal gets reflected back early that it thinks the stuff is the bottom.  My old single cone unit would even do this if I passed over a thick enough lay down or even a dense enough bait ball.  It's the nature of the beast.

 

The most important feature will be getting a unit that has GPS and adding a mapping card.  It is with these maps that you will be able to find the major structures on your lakes.  It will still take time to learn the intricacies of the structures, but you will have the ability locate and stay on structures with using the map.  From there, if you can splurge on the SI unit, it can be helpful in locating isolated breaks on a structure such as a rock pile, lay down, etc.  DI will be most helpful if you want to know the depth in the weeds, because it uses a very narrow beam that eliminates a lot of clutter, and produces some really clear images.  As with anything, new electronics come with a learning curve, but man are they helpful.

 

Units that network would be great, but I would have to do some research on the particular units you are looking at to know.  I do know that with Humminbird, networking units do not come cheap.

 

Good luck, and if I can help any more, let me know!

 

 

[Busbey]

budget.. the ol question that is un-answerable lol. CHEAP!!

 

i wouldnt mind spending 300ish, 350 max if it does something i see value in. i based this price off what i am seeing on the entry level devices. i also saw a few that were in the $200 range and for some reason i have it in my head that if i get 2 of these, they will wirelessly link together and i can be on the tiller to map out the area and then move to the front casting deck with my foot troller to be more precise. i would be sort of ok with this and spend the 400. but i would much rather a better device up front and use the cheap-o that i have in the rear for the whatever other need i could find. 

 

also, i truthfully do not understand how to read any devices all that well so i know i need help with whatever i will get. i see structure but unsure where that is in relation to the boat. left side, right side, directly under me, etc. this is why i thought SI would be better. DI i feel is more for bottom fishing in the salt and not so much trolling the edges of lakes or when i find the structure that im looking for. make sense? or am i way off on all this. 

[kenmitch]

23 hours ago, Busbey said:

budget.. the ol question that is un-answerable lol. CHEAP!!

 

i wouldnt mind spending 300ish, 350 max if it does something i see value in. i based this price off what i am seeing on the entry level devices. i also saw a few that were in the $200 range and for some reason i have it in my head that if i get 2 of these, they will wirelessly link together and i can be on the tiller to map out the area and then move to the front casting deck with my foot troller to be more precise. i would be sort of ok with this and spend the 400. but i would much rather a better device up front and use the cheap-o that i have in the rear for the whatever other need i could find. 

 

also, i truthfully do not understand how to read any devices all that well so i know i need help with whatever i will get. i see structure but unsure where that is in relation to the boat. left side, right side, directly under me, etc. this is why i thought SI would be better. DI i feel is more for bottom fishing in the salt and not so much trolling the edges of lakes or when i find the structure that im looking for. make sense? or am i way off on all this. 

I was just watching a video that kind of explains the what you're seeing on the graph pretty good. Guess it also shows the benefits of units with the DI and SI options also. Maybe it'll help you understand what's down there and if you think you could also benefit from the DI or SI options at the same time.  

 

I guess the most important thing to remember is what you see on the graph is what's already behind you in the end.

 

 

[Busbey]

DI is what i feel is best for me and my situation. After watching various videos, i feel the Garmin Echomap is best suited for me. I have yet to touch any devices but going by what i get for the money, this seems to be the one. 

 

anyone have any thoughts on these? also, Dicks Sporting Goods has the 7cv on sale from $399 to $299 until this Saturday.. I kinda think i should jump on this deal..

[grub_man]

One thing I saw is that with the Striker 7cv, you get GPS, but you cannot use it with mapping software.  You will be able to mark things you find on the lake, but you won't be able to see contour lines or even the outline of the lake on the Striker unit.

 

To be able to make your own contours, you will need the Striker Plus 7cv.  With that model, you create your own maps, which is very appealing, but requires time on the water to get a lot of areas mapped.

 

To be able to use existing maps, I believe, you will need something from the Echomap series from Garmin.

 

Make sure you get the one that works best for you.

[Busbey]

Its hard to know which to get without having a one on one conversation with a knowledgeable person. Each has its own pro and con. Starting to get a little difficult online.. I am seeing Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 54cv, 53cv, 52cv, 55cv and getting lost on which does which or the differences... 

 

I will probably need to go to BassPro and have a talk with the guy there as a start. 

i do not necessarily need to know how to get somewhere, but where precisely a spot is i defiantly need to know that. Mostly I will be on lakes that i know where everything is, but would be nice to see my tracks and where i have been or maybe zoom out on occasion to find a new spot based off contour lines. i do think this would be pretty handy. 

 

I am not partial to Garmin or Lowrance or any specific company, i just want the best bang for the buck and feel DI is going to help over SI for my setup.

[Junger]

I think the EchoMap CHIRP 73cv for $299 is your best bang for the buck option. I also got that for my first fishfinder. Easy to use, has built-in maps, and QuickDraw Contours is a nice feature when trying to figure out good fishing spots.

 

I eventually moved the 73cv to the bow, and added the EchoMap CHIRP 93sv for $599 to my console.

 

Both are the previous generation, but the added features of the Plus models weren't worth double the price to me.

[Busbey]

I appreciate that, Junger.. Where is it for $299? im seeing the 54cv for this price, not the 7cv

 

or are you saying the Striker 7cv for 299??

[Junger]

40 minutes ago, Busbey said:

I appreciate that, Junger.. Where is it for $299? im seeing the 54cv for this price, not the 7cv

 

or are you saying the Striker 7cv for 299??

 

On 7/11/2018 at 9:25 AM, Busbey said:

DI is what i feel is best for me and my situation. After watching various videos, i feel the Garmin Echomap is best suited for me. I have yet to touch any devices but going by what i get for the money, this seems to be the one. 

 

anyone have any thoughts on these? also, Dicks Sporting Goods has the 7cv on sale from $399 to $299 until this Saturday.. I kinda think i should jump on this deal..

I got mine from Cabela's in May. Thought you said you saw it at DSG for $299? It's discontinued, so the 73cv for $299 is probably going to be hard to find.

[Busbey]

confimring...

 

the PLUS 73cv is echomap and has contour lines.. $599

regulular 73cv is the striker and does not have contour lines.. $299

 

the echomap chirp 53cv does or does not have contour but i do know i can make my own right? - $299

 

of course, i want the bigger display.. dont we all, but i cant give up a main reason why i am getting the device; to see contour lines.. all of these are down imaging.. 

 

[Junger]

50 minutes ago, Busbey said:

confimring...

 

the PLUS 73cv is echomap and has contour lines.. $599

regulular 73cv is the striker and does not have contour lines.. $299

 

the echomap chirp 53cv does or does not have contour but i do know i can make my own right? - $299

 

of course, i want the bigger display.. dont we all, but i cant give up a main reason why i am getting the device; to see contour lines.. all of these are down imaging.. 

 

Here's a summary:

 

Echomap 73cv, Echomap Plus 73cv both have built-in LakeVu HD maps, and Quickdraw Contour ability.

Striker Plus 7cv has Quickdraw Contour ability and the Plus features (Active Captain, networking, etc)

Striker 7cv has no maps and no Quickdraw, just the GPS.

 

[Busbey]

OK, final thoughts and questions and i am ready to pull the trigger.. tired of spot fishing the banks in the summer heat.. i need to find these deeper spots holding fish.. 

 

So, help me out.. what would be better... 

 

Striker Plus 5cv for $299

Echomap 53cv for $299

 

keep in mind, i do NOT mind making my own maps. I really just need to see the contours and go scan that area for fish and im good. i will not be using this and need a GPS to get me home or a way out of somewhere. I have verified with Garmin Chat that the PLUS will show me where I marked a spot and get me back there. i really dont see why i personally would need the GPS LakeVu features if i could make my own?

 

also, these two units are different in size, though both 5 inch screens. i feel the Striker Plus is a bigger screen and i would like this one more. 

 

i definitely want you guys feedback please... In the end.. i am liking the $300 price tag for an entry down imagine and a way to get the contour lines i need. 

 

 

 

[12poundbass]

20 minutes ago, Busbey said:

OK, final thoughts and questions and i am ready to pull the trigger.. tired of spot fishing the banks in the summer heat.. i need to find these deeper spots holding fish.. 

 

So, help me out.. what would be better... 

 

Striker Plus 5cv for $299

Echomap 53cv for $299

 

keep in mind, i do NOT mind making my own maps. I really just need to see the contours and go scan that area for fish and im good. i will not be using this and need a GPS to get me home or a way out of somewhere. I have verified with Garmin Chat that the PLUS will show me where I marked a spot and get me back there. i really dont see why i personally would need the GPS LakeVu features if i could make my own?

 

also, these two units are different in size, though both 5 inch screens. i feel the Striker Plus is a bigger screen and i would like this one more. 

 

i definitely want you guys feedback please... In the end.. i am liking the $300 price tag for an entry down imagine and a way to get the contour lines i need. 

 

 

 

If you don't mind taking the time to make your own maps then I'd say the Plus unit is the way to go. Turn Quickdraw on and have it map the whole time you're on the lake and before you know it you'll have a pretty good map.

[Busbey]

i agree.. 

 

i also just found this guy comparing the two versions that i pretty much have the same delima with.. i never knew with the mapping on the echo series you needed a different SD for each lake.. also, i could always find a good contour map online, laminate it and keep it in the boat for the random lakes i fish and not need to survey the whole lake.. Just find the area i want for that morning and make it happen.. 

 

 

 

[Junger]

1 hour ago, Busbey said:

i never knew with the mapping on the echo series you needed a different SD for each lake.. 

 

 

The Echomaps have the built-in maps on the internal memory card, so you only need one external micro SD card for the Echomap to create Quick Contour maps, not one for each lake. The max size card it can hold is 32GB, which is more than enough for a lifetime, and it costs $10-$12. 

 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B073JWXGNT/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

[Busbey]

i dont know why im having such a hard dang time with this!

 

they are both 5" screens, one is obviously better than the other but they are the same price. what am i missing!!!

 

Striker Plus Link

 

EchoMap 53cv Link

 

[Junger]

29 minutes ago, Busbey said:

i dont know why im having such a hard dang time with this!

 

they are both 5" screens, one is obviously better than the other but they are the same price. what am i missing!!!

 

Striker Plus Link

 

EchoMap 53cv Link

 

I think it really comes down to comparing "Plus" features of the Striker (Wireless Active Captain, networking) vs. Built-in Maps of the Echomap.

 

Both will have Quickdraw, DownVu, ClearVu and a 5" screen.

 

 

[Busbey]

Just watched an Active Captain app video on youtube and seems i can use my iphone, heck even an old iPad in the rear and keep the Garmin mounted up front and see the same screen. 

 

Boom, done. this is what i think i need guys. Striker Plus

[Busbey]

Of course, i say that and go to ebay to find the one and order.. get the notification that an item of mine just sold.. so, considering this is all going to be paid for my old printers and servers i am selling to clean out the server room at the office and now i just got JUUUUUST enough to get the 7cv, which also has SI and DI.. 

 

now its a whole new ball game.. 

link...     should i or not? 7 inch screen vs 5 and also now i have SI and not just DI.. still having the Active Captain available too..