MSI at Bow

[yum]

Has anyone used the Helix 7 MSI GPS G3 on the bow and was it affective or do u wish you had the DI at trolling motor without MI         Thanks 

[jbsoonerfan]

I have the Helix 8 MSI GPS G3 on the bow but I use the Mega DI transducer in my TM so there is no SI. I was thinking I would link them to use the SI on my transom transducer but the dealer decided to go a different route because they said I would like the Mega DI better using the TM transducer. 

 

So, that was probably zero help, but no I have not used the SI at the bow.

[Dirtyeggroll]

The MSI transducer also does DI. I have both and planned to use the SI but got a 360 which makes the SI obsolete for what I would use it.

[jbsoonerfan]

7 minutes ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

The MSI transducer also does DI. I have both and planned to use the SI but got a 360 which makes the SI obsolete for what I would use it.

I thought the transducer still has to be mounted in a stationary position like the transom to display SI? 

[Russ E]

My last boat had side imaging on the trolling motor.

it works ok if you keep the motor going straight. If you turn much the picture gets distorted.

I only have down imaging on my current trolling motor. I use the side imaging on the transom.

 

[Dirtyeggroll]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I thought the transducer still has to be mounted in a stationary position like the transom to display SI? 

Nope it can work well. Yes the image can get distorted if you are moving the TM around a lot, but if you’re slowly moving along it can give you a better sense of your position in relation to cover/structure.

[jbsoonerfan]

2 minutes ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Nope it can work well. Yes the image can get distorted if you are moving the TM around a lot, but if you’re slowly moving along it can give you a better sense of your position in relation to cover/structure.

Cool, will the MSI transducer fit in the area where the MDI transducer is on the MK trolling motors?

[Dirtyeggroll]

8 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Cool, will the MSI transducer fit in the area where the MDI transducer is on the MK trolling motors?

Yep. Lots of people doing that. Humminbird makes a bracket for it as well https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com/accessories/mounts-hardware/ad-mtm-mega-trolling-motor-transducer-hardware-kit

[OneCast Fishing]

So I use traditional sonar at the bow.  The reason is all sonar works best on the move between 3-5mph.  If you move slower than that the image is distorted.  Even with traditional sonar you see long lines across the screen rather than arches, unless a fish swims through your sonar cone; then you will see an arch.   You are rarely moving that fast when fishing up front.  Additionally, both SI/DI do not have a coverage cone like traditional sonar, which is a cone.  They emit signals at a larger angler but what they see is an extremely small slice.  Think more of an extremely thin triangle.  If you see a tree on your screen with DI that tree is going to be a lot harder to pinpoint for a cast than if you saw one on traditional sonar.  To me its not worth the extra money to have the SI/DI imaging up front.  Put that technology at the console and network the one up front.  That way you can search for fish and structure, mark the way point, and then go fish it.  

[Way north bass guy]

8 hours ago, OneCast Fishing said:

So I use traditional sonar at the bow.  The reason is all sonar works best on the move between 3-5mph.  If you move slower than that the image is distorted.  Even with traditional sonar you see long lines across the screen rather than arches, unless a fish swims through your sonar cone; then you will see an arch.   You are rarely moving that fast when fishing up front.  Additionally, both SI/DI do not have a coverage cone like traditional sonar, which is a cone.  They emit signals at a larger angler but what they see is an extremely small slice.  Think more of an extremely thin triangle.  If you see a tree on your screen with DI that tree is going to be a lot harder to pinpoint for a cast than if you saw one on traditional sonar.  To me its not worth the extra money to have the SI/DI imaging up front.  Put that technology at the console and network the one up front.  That way you can search for fish and structure, mark the way point, and then go fish it.  

It’s funny, because I feel almost the opposite of you on this. I have SI on the console and at the bow, and if I’m casting fairly shallow ( less than 20’), I use SI most of the time. If you set the scroll speed down to match your boat speed, at least on the Helix units, you can get fantastic images of structure and fish. Now, it will not work too well if your sitting still, but if your moving even at a slow speed, it works great. I have the transducer on the trolling motor, and many times while slowly moving along, I’ve seen schools of smallmouth off to the side of the boat up to a cast length away. You can see each individual fish very clearly, and a tube or drop shot tossed in that direction often gets a bunch of fish that I would’ve never seen if I was just using regular sonar. It also comes in very handy to spot patches of weeds, rocks, or laydowns that are too far to the side for me to find with regular sonar. I’ve used my SI do look under docks and weed mats, and yes, it will distort the image a bit if you turn the motor back and forth, but for the most part if it’s set up correctly, you will find fish and structure that you would’ve passed by with just 2d sonar.