Advice for newbie on Ultrex and Humminbirds

[BigAngus752]

My current plan (still open for discussion) is that for a retirement present for myself I intend to have my boat mechanic makes some upgrades when I take it in for winterizing this year.  Here are my ideas:

 

Ultrex with Mega DI and I-Pilot Link.

Helix 9 Mega SI G3N on the console with Lakemaster or Navionics maps.

I can't yet afford a new unit on the bow but I intend to have him run an ethernet cable from the console Helix to the front so it's ready to go the second that I CAN afford a Mega DI for the bow. 

 

I've never paid much attention to my Lowrance Hook units and they don't have anything but the included maps so the new Lakemaster or Navionics card is the thing I'm most looking forward to (second only to the spotlock).  

 

Here are my "I'm just a simple caveman fisherman not a techie" questions:

1.  If I get a map card for the Helix on the console immediately, when I finally put a Helix on the bow and connect them with the Ethernet cable will I be able to see the map card on my bow unit also?

 

2.  I've read over and over how useful and important the map cards can be, but if you have a unit on your boat that you can use to create your own maps wouldn't that be the most current and up-to-date info you could have?  Why doesn't that function make the map cards obsolete?  Obviously if you fish new lakes constantly you wouldn't have time to create maps for every lake but if I'm fishing the same four lakes 95% of the time would I want to spend the money for a map card?

 

So these are my ideas and questions.  Please advise and critique as you see fit.  I should add that I actually prefer the controls on the Garmin units (and the prices), but not so much that I want to give up the extra features available by using a Humminbird with the Ultrex.  

[A-Jay]

On 9/11/2019 at 9:32 PM, BigAngus752 said:

My current plan (still open for discussion) is that for a retirement present for myself I intend to have my boat mechanic makes some upgrades when I take it in for winterizing this year.  Here are my ideas:

 

Ultrex with Mega DI and I-Pilot Link.

Helix 9 Mega SI G3N on the console with Lakemaster or Navionics maps.

I can't yet afford a new unit on the bow but I intend to have him run an ethernet cable from the console Helix to the front so it's ready to go the second that I CAN afford a Mega DI for the bow. 

 

I've never paid much attention to my Lowrance Hook units and they don't have anything but the included maps so the new Lakemaster or Navionics card is the thing I'm most looking forward to (second only to the spotlock).  

 

Here are my "I'm just a simple caveman fisherman not a techie" questions:

1.  If I get a map card for the Helix on the console immediately, when I finally put a Helix on the bow and connect them with the Ethernet cable will I be able to see the map card on my bow unit also?

 

2.  I've read over and over how useful and important the map cards can be, but if you have a unit on your boat that you can use to create your own maps wouldn't that be the most current and up-to-date info you could have?  Why doesn't that function make the map cards obsolete?  Obviously if you fish new lakes constantly you wouldn't have time to create maps for every lake but if I'm fishing the same four lakes 95% of the time would I want to spend the money for a map card?

 

So these are my ideas and questions.  Please advise and critique as you see fit.  I should add that I actually prefer the controls on the Garmin units (and the prices), but not so much that I want to give up the extra features available by using a Humminbird with the Ultrex.  

 

I do not have an Ultrex but do run a couple of Helix 10's. 

 

1.  Yes  NO

2. Creating mapping although very helpful, to do it right & effectively, is extremely time consuming and really only helpful when actually fishing - you may not be able to map out a whole lake and use it for navigation - so cards are still useful & needed IMO.

 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[BigAngus752]

34 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

2. Creating mapping although very helpful, to do it right & effectively, is extremely time consuming and really only helpful when actually fishing - you may not be able to map out a whole lake and use it for navigation - so cards are still useful & needed IMO.

Okay, this is really helpful.  Can I assume that the shallower the water, the less amount of real estate you can map at one time?  Just based on cone size?

[A-Jay]

9 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

Okay, this is really helpful.  Can I assume that the shallower the water, the less amount of real estate you can map at one time?  Just based on cone size?

Yes -  the vessel needs to be traveling slow - pretty close to idle speed and your track spacing needs to be pretty small and close to over lapping so you don't have 'missed' spots on your map. The unit will 'fill in some if you miss small areas but it may not be exactly accurate. 

That's why it's so time consuming.

I have mapped much of the water I fish regularly, even if it's already mapped - but I do it while I'm fishing most of the time.  Although I did a ton of mapping during the new outboard break in process. 

A-Jay

 

 

[J Francho]

10 hours ago, A-Jay said:

2. Creating mapping although very helpful, to do it right & effectively, is extremely time consuming and really only helpful when actually fishing - you may not be able to map out a whole lake and use it for navigation - so cards are still useful & needed IMO.

This is very true!  You'd be way better off scanning and collecting way points while fishing.  Drop them for every fish and every interesting piece of cover, and any structural elements not shown on the map.  After several trips, you may be able to discern a fish location pattern.  Hidden structures such a long, minor depression off shore from a creek inlet can often become highways clogged with bass, many of which may be biting.

[Tennessee Boy]

11 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

Here are my "I'm just a simple caveman fisherman not a techie" questions:

1.  If I get a map card for the Helix on the console immediately, when I finally put a Helix on the bow and connect them with the Ethernet cable will I be able to see the map card on my bow unit also?

Yes if you run a ethernet cable from one unit to the other it will work.  It will actually be a little more complicated (and expensive) if you want to include the Ultrex I-Pilot link on the network.  You will need the $270 ethernet switch and two ethernet cables to connect each fish finder to the switch.  The Ultrex comes with an ethernet cable to connect it to the switch.  This will allow you to share information between the two fish finders and control the trolling motor from either unit which very useful.  You can mark a waypoint on the console unit.  See it on the bow unit and tell the trolling motor to go to to it from either unit.

[BigAngus752]

10 hours ago, J Francho said:

This is very true!  You'd be way better off scanning and collecting way points while fishing.  Drop them for every fish and every interesting piece of cover, and any structural elements not shown on the map.  After several trips, you may be able to discern a fish location pattern.  Hidden structures such a long, minor depression off shore from a creek inlet can often become highways clogged with bass, many of which may be biting.

I've done this just a few times with my current Lowrance units but since they aren't linked and I usually put them in the bow unit it hasn't been helpful.  I'm also not good at clearly naming/labeling.  I understand exactly what you're saying and I need to start being consistent in marking and exact in labeling.  

8 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Yes if you run a ethernet cable from one unit to the other it will work.  It will actually be a little more complicated (and expensive) if you want to include the Ultrex I-Pilot link on the network.  You will need the $270 ethernet switch and two ethernet cables to connect each fish finder to the switch.  The Ultrex comes with an ethernet cable to connect it to the switch.  This will allow you to share information between the two fish finders and control the trolling motor from either unit which very useful.  You can mark a waypoint on the console unit.  See it on the bow unit and tell the trolling motor to go to to it from either unit.

Yes!  That's what I'm looking for right there.  Thank you!  My boat guy is a Minn Kota service center so I'm sure he will have this squared away for me.

[Further North]

On 9/11/2019 at 8:32 PM, BigAngus752 said:

1.  If I get a map card for the Helix on the console immediately, when I finally put a Helix on the bow and connect them with the Ethernet cable will I be able to see the map card on my bow unit also?

If you are asking if Helix units can share the data of a map card in a console unit with a bow unit...I believe the answer is no.

 

I believe you will need two map cards.

 

I believe this capability is restricted to the Solix series.

 

If this has changed recently, it is news to me.

 

[A-Jay]

On 9/11/2019 at 9:48 PM, A-Jay said:

 

I do not have an Ultrex but do run a couple of Helix 10's. 

 

1.  Yes    NO

2. Creating mapping although very helpful, to do it right & effectively, is extremely time consuming and really only helpful when actually fishing - you may not be able to map out a whole lake and use it for navigation - so cards are still useful & needed IMO.

 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

2 minutes ago, Further North said:

If you are asking if Helic units can share the data of a map card in a console unit with a bow unit...I believe the answer is no.

I did not read that first question closely enough and have since edited my answer - 

Thank you for straighten me out.

A-Jay

[BigAngus752]

Plus the Garmin Force has such great features...My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.  

[Further North]

On 9/15/2019 at 8:08 AM, BigAngus752 said:

Plus the Garmin Force has such great features...My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.  

Don't overthink it.

 

Go with what you like on the fish finders (does the menus make sense, etc.)...then, but the trolling motor that integrates best with the fish finder you've chosen.

 

All the trolling motors are essentially the same...they've finally caught up with where Minn Kota was about seven years ago.

 

You wont' catch any more...or any fewer...fish with this feature, or that one, whether it's there or not.

 

Anyone who says otherwise is fulla beans.  IMO, of course.

 

follow-up: I just ran through the features of the Garmin Force here: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/610414

 

Nothing jumped out at me as startling.

 

If I were running Garmin head units, I'd buy a Force.  If I were running Humminbird head units ( I do) I'd run a Minn Kota Ulterra or Ultrex.

 

Ditto with whatever works best with Motor Guide.

Edited September 18, 2019 by Further North
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[BigAngus752]

45 minutes ago, Further North said:

Don't overthink it.

 

Go with what you like on the fish finders (does the menus make sense, etc.)...then, but the trolling motor that integrates best with the fish finder you've chosen.

 

All the trolling motors are essentially the same...they've finally caught up with where Minn Kota was about seven years ago.

 

You wont' catch any more...or any fewer...fish with this feature, or that one, whether it's there or not.

 

Anyone who says otherwise is fulla beans.  IMO, of course.

 

follow-up: I just ran through the features of the Garmin Force here: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/610414

 

Nothing jumped out at me as startling.

 

If I were running Garmin head units, I'd buy a Force.  If I were running Humminbird head units ( I do) I'd run a Minn Kota Ulterra or Ultrex.

 

Ditto with whatever works best with Motor Guide.

I've never had anything but Lowrance, and I don't like their menu systems at all.  Playing around in the store the Garmins seem the easiest to me but that's not like being on the water.  

[Further North]

2 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

I've never had anything but Lowrance, and I don't like their menu systems at all. 

Good indicator to not go back to them.  They make a great product, but only if you find it useful.

 

2 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

Playing around in the store the Garmins seem the easiest to me but that's not like being on the water.  

It's pretty close, these days. 

 

If you haven't tried Humminbird, make sure you do...then if you still like Garmin, go with it.

 

They are all so good these days, you can't loose, regardless of what major brand you pick.

 

I mean...stay away from "Uncle Bob's Best, Fish Finder an' Trollin' Motor Company, LLC (Translation: 鲍勃叔叔最好，鱼探仪和拖钓汽车公司, LLC) but all the top brands are great, pick what you like...and don't get sucked down the rabit hole of comparing nits to gnats as the brand faithful are so willing to take us down...

[Dirtyeggroll]

Make sure you have your mechanic also run dedicated power wire to the bow, if you don't already have it up there.

[Jig Man]

I recently moved from the Lowrance world to the Humminbird world.  I started out by getting a Minn Kota ulterra because I had some broken ribs which did not heal properly.  I needed a motor that would deploy and stow by itself.

 

I ran it with my Low units and quickly found out that I was missing out on a bunch of options.  I bought a Bird and a new ipilot head for my Ulterra.  Wow the way they work together is amazing.

 

My point here is since you are making big changes anyway, go with units that will work together so that you can get the most out of them.

 

 

[MickD]

On 9/11/2019 at 10:32 PM, A-Jay said:

but I do it while I'm fishing most of the time.  Although I did a ton of mapping during the new outboard break in process. 

The consumption of the memory in the unit is based on hours, right?  So if you are fishing and just leaving it on, are you not consuming a lot of memory with little mapping?  I'm learning too. thx

 

By the way, Humminbird phone support has been very efficient and effective for me.

[A-Jay]

8 minutes ago, MickD said:

The consumption of the memory in the unit is based on hours, right?  So if you are fishing and just leaving it on, are you not consuming a lot of memory with little mapping?  I'm learning too. thx

 

By the way, Humminbird phone support has been very efficient and effective for me.

Stores on an sd card.

A-Jay

[toadhead]

I can affirm and disappointed to learn that Helix G3N units still don't share maps (LakeMaster or Navionics); waypoints yes. Coming fro Lowrance to Humminbird I was spoiled by the units sharing mapping software and waypoints. I also confirmed this with the Humminbird rep as well.

[Pfisher]

14 hours ago, toadhead said:

I can affirm and disappointed to learn that Helix G3N units still don't share maps (LakeMaster or Navionics); waypoints yes. Coming fro Lowrance to Humminbird I was spoiled by the units sharing mapping software and waypoints. I also confirmed this with the Humminbird rep as well.

Most folks would be amazed at how many people don't even have their units networked together.    According to a HB market rep I talked to they find that only about 10% of all users have networking and a large percent of the market only has one unit. 

Since the helix never had map sharing I'm sure it's been determined that it's not economically feasible to add that feature now.  The only lower end Lowrance that shares maps was once their higher end unit and already had map sharing built in.  

 

As with anything the final decision is based on the market.

FWIW if you want map sharing the Solix is the machine to buy.

[BigAngus752]

2 hours ago, Pfisher said:

FWIW if you want map sharing the Solix is the machine to buy.

Map sharing would be great, but those are out of my price range and I don't want touch screen.  

[Pfisher]

16 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

Map sharing would be great, but those are out of my price range and I don't want touch screen.  

I totally understand.  Budget rules for most of us ?