Flush Mount or Gimbal Mount

[slonezp]

I've always had gimbal mount graphs at both the bow and helm. If I sell my Lund early enough this year, I'm looking into getting a Ranger 1880MS or Triton Allure 186. The flush graphs have a clean look to them. Aside from the obvious (theft) is there any reason not to have them flush mounted at both locations? How will the graph hold up to outside winter storage where 0 to negative 5* is common if not lower temps. Anything else I should be concerned with?

[A-Jay]

As you know I think, I like and have flush mounted units bow /console.  Only con I can list is removal for repair or replacement is somewhat labor intensive.   Can not comment on temperature tolerance as my rig is not stored outside.

A-Jay 

[Way north bass guy]

Temperature like that shouldn’t hurt them, the only thing that might be a bit of a pain would be under certain light conditions, you might get some glare that you couldn’t change the angle of the screen to see it better. Both my units are on adjustable mounts, and I do enjoy the ability to adjust them as needed if the sun is bright. 

[Russ E]

I have had both. If I had to store a boat outside in winter I would use gimbal mount, so I could remove them.

My current boat has bow and console flush mount. I prefer this because it is clean and out of the way. I also store my boat inside. Plus our winters are not as harsh as yours.

[gim]

I have a flush mount 2014 lowrance HDS unit and it specifically states not to use in temperature below 32 degrees. I store my boat indoors in the winter but it is not heated so I remove it. Taking it off does take a little work, getting underneath the console to remove it (and re-installing it in the spring). The specific unit you have should indicate what temperature it can tolerate.

 

The added bonus of a flush mount is that the likelihood of someone stealing it is lower than a gimbal mount because it takes a lot more time and effort to remove.

[Jig Man]

I have flush at console and gimbal mounts at the bow.  The angle of flush at the bow was my concern when I had the boat rigged.  Even when gimbal mounted I did not take them off and never had problems.  Besides if someone wanted to steal them I have insurance.

[WRB]

If you trailer your boat often the biult ins get a lot of road vibration. The ability to adjust angles to reduce sun glare and to remove the units with ease for storage are big positives.

Tom

[Ppennin986]

I have both of mine on adjustable mounts guess it would be personal preference but I have small units and need to be able to adjust to see them 

[papajoe222]

My boat sits covered in my driveway all winter long and has been for 15 years. The original Lowrance sonar unit has never been removed for the winter and still functions flawlessly, so there's no reason to concern yourself.  If the flush mount is installed at the factory, many use mounting hardware designed to absorb some of the shock the display will experience.