Bow vs Console Fish Finders, Which is Your Priority

[dtag31]

I currently have a Humminbird Helix 7 with Side/Down Imaging mounted at the Console. I am looking to add a second unit to the bow, which will be networked to the first unit. I've been doing my homework and realize that I can get the Sonar only unit and "steal" the side/down imaging from my console unit. 

 

When it comes to screen size/capabilities, do you prioritize at the bow or console?

 

For reasons I won't get into, I may lose my current console unit. So, I would be in the market for 2 new fish finders. I like the idea of the networked Humminbirds, but curious if more $$$ should go to the bow, console, or two equivalent fish finders?

 

Thanks!

[Tennessee Boy]

This topic gets debated often here.  It depends on how you fish.  It’s not unusual for me to spend much more time idling around scanning structure than I do fishing.  For me the console is far more important.  

[dtag31]

Good perspective, I definitely spend some quality time with my nose about 5 inches away from the 7 inch console screen. I've been worried that a 7 inch at the bow wouldn't be big enough to see standing up (especially if running 2 views on one screen). I think I'm overthinking this a bit now!

[Grim_Reaver]

I have been told to use the same size screen at bow and console. Reasoning is that a much larger screen will display info slightly different from a smaller screen. Nitpicky but it makes sense to me. 

[A-Jay]

A Helix 10 SI/GPS at the Bow & Console works for me.

A-Jay

[MickD]

If you want to keep the investment down, I believe the priority goes with the console.

[mcipinkie]

It really depends on you and how you fish.  If you are a deep water fisherman that likes to idle around and look for off shore structure, and fish that, then maybe the console unit is the most important.  If you are shallow water fisherman that really just wants to know how deep the water is and maybe the temp while idling around, and you primarily fish shallow, visible, or nearly visible cover, then the bow is probably the most important.

 

I run Helix 10's.  An old gen 1 on the console and new Mega G3N on the bow.  SI on both.  I like SI on the trolling motor.  I don't network anything.  For my style of fishing, shallow, dirty, nasty, don't see the need.  I use the console unit and a Lakemaster chip for navigation and general area location.  Once the trolling motor is down, I don't need GPS, I'm looking at my targets, not the screen, so sharing waypoints and all the high tech stuff just don't work for me.  I'll spend my money on high dollar jerk baits.

 

If you like to fish the other way, then pick what works for you.  I'm 73 years old, fished my first tournament in 1975.  This is my way to fish.  You need to figure out how you want to fish and then make up your mind how to rig.  Within reason and budget, buy the best you can. 

[WRB]

You use the console unit to navigate where you are going and survey the structure / cover to locate it and any fish that maybe in the area using a split screen for the map and sonar.

You use the bow unit to stay on structure / cover and fish. If you need the map feature to know where are located via way points off shore then a split screen unit is helpful.

If you spend 90% of your fishing near a shore you know where you are at and don't need a split screen so a smaller screen is OK as long as you can see it clearly. 

Remember mounts are available to rise up the bow unit.

Today's 9"console unit is consider minimum size and 7" minimum for the bow unit.

I use a 7" console unit and 5" raised bow unit, I know where every rock in lake is located, otherwise I would opt for 9" and 7" units.

Tom 

[dtag31]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

You use the console unit to navigate where you are going and survey the structure / cover to locate it and any fish that maybe in the area using a split screen for the map and sonar.

You use the bow unit to stay on structure / cover and fish. If you need the map feature to know where are located via way points off shore then a split screen unit is helpful.

If you spend 90% of your fishing near a shore you know where you are at and don't need a split screen so a smaller screen is OK as long as you can see it clearly. 

Remember mounts are available to rise up the bow unit.

Today's 9"console unit is consider minimum size and 7" minimum for the bow unit.

I use a 7" console unit and 5" raised bow unit, I know where every rock in lake is located, otherwise I would opt for 9" and 7" units.

Tom 

Thank you Tom, that was extremely helpful and how I plan to approach the problem. I am thinking about going for a 9" bow mount to be able to run split screen map to stay on waypoints and down/sonar to stay on the fish/structure. Any recommendations for riser mounts? The larger Ram mounts can get extremely expensive quick and only give about 5 inches of rise. 

[Jig Man]

I am on the other side here. I like to use my bow unit to see where my bait is and the fish I am trying to get to bite it. So I run the largest at the bow.

 

You mentioned having a 7.  If you could mount it up front and use it for mapping along with another unit you could avoid split screens.

[WRB]

15 hours ago, dtag31 said:

Thank you Tom, that was extremely helpful and how I plan to approach the problem. I am thinking about going for a 9" bow mount to be able to run split screen map to stay on waypoints and down/sonar to stay on the fish/structure. Any recommendations for riser mounts? The larger Ram mounts can get extremely expensive quick and only give about 5 inches of rise. 

Rams 1 1/2" dia ball mount with extension and adapter bracket raises the sonar unit about 12" above the deck surface. When I get a chance will measure from deck to bracket knobs. The aluminum T-H mini Kong bracket is about $150 with extension as I recall, Ram is around $50.

Tom

PS, the ball mount allows infinite adjust angles to clearly see the screen which is very important.