What do you like/dislike about your setup?

[kdubracing]

Just got a used boat that came with an older Lowrance HDS8 and Helix 10 at the console and a Helix 7 on the front. Lowrance is side and down imaging, but being older isn't the easiest to read. Both Helix's are 2D only. I'm starting to work through what I want to upgrade first and trying to figure out what I want. The $3k units like 360/Livescope are not feasible. 

 

So, my question to you all, is what are your setups? What do you like/dislike? How do you use them? Do you like side imaging at the console or front? Down imaging at the console or front? Just looking for ideas and opinions on how/where/why you use the technology (minus livescope/360, etc.)

[12poundbass]

I have two older Garmin Echomap units, one is a 73SV and the other is a 73DV. I love the units, they are very user friendly and are basically a plug in play unit, meaning you can plug it in, turn it on, and it doesn’t really need adjustments to get good images.

 

My only dislike is my units are the older ones that don’t have QuickDraw.

 

I am seriously thinking about upgrading to the 93SV UHD very soon. 

[slonezp]

2D is a valuable tool. Don't discount it as "bad". It's all we had for 50 years. 

[kdubracing]

Never said it was bad. I like to use 2D in conjunction with down imaging. Rotary phones worked great also, but I sure like my iPhone.

[riverbasser]

Fellow budget angler. I run an SI unit at the console and DI on the bow. It is also crucial for my fishing style to have GPS with map card on both units.

 

Getting ready to upgrade to Mega SI at the console but won't be able to afford the size unit I want. I will probably be keeping the current unit this way I can have two units in full screen mode due to there small size already.

[NoShoes]

Two Garmin 73 echo map pluses, one on bow one on console. Love the touch screen and networking. I have side imaging on the console, down imaging up front but with the networking I can get the side imaging up front when I’m running the trolling motor. 
 

I wish the stock compass was better, hard to get a bearing where I’m moving towards in relation to way points and not interested in 400 bucks for an add on. 

 

[Dirtyeggroll]

I have the following:

 

Helix 12 at the console with 2D / DI / SI

Helix 12 + Helix 9 at the Bow with 2D / DI / SI / Mega 360 at the bow

 

I usually run the console on SI + Map. I use that to find under water structure / cover and then occasionally switch it over to 2D to run back over it to see if there are fish on it. The only thing I don't like about the Helix is that it takes a while to scroll over to waypoints. Touchscreen would be great and is offered with Solix, but they sure do have some serious amp draw.

 

On the console I run Map + 2D on the Helix 9 and Mega 360 on the Helix 12.  This way I can now where my boat sits in relation to structure / cover at all times. Sometimes have two graphs up front makes it feel cluttered. Otherwise. I wouldn't change a thing. I have the SI transducer on the trolling motor, but with having 360 I never use it.

[InfantryMP]

I have two HDS 7 gen 2 touchs at bow, and one HDS 7 gen 2 touch at console...The console, and one upfront are linked with SI, and DI.

 

I have a Motorguide X5 (I do not like it) with a 2D sonar transducer for the other HDS 7. 

 

I would like panoptix, or the new Lowrance Active with an Ultrex, but I feel like if I am going to spend $5 in cash to upgrade all that, I may as well upgrade my boat to something new with the majority of what I want / need. 

[Darth-Baiter]

I wish my FF was bigger.  But i agonized about it and got the Hook Reveal 5.   
 

why?  Real estate.  It’s for my kayak.  And I needed to consider safety.  I practiced repeatedly climbing back into my boat.  A small FF allowed me the space to shimmy up between it and my seat.   Bigger was problematic.   

[slonezp]

I have SI/DI (legacy Humminbirds)at both the bow and console and the trolling motor linked in (iPilot Link) to both units. I generally run split screens on both units 2D/SI. Never really use DI

[Hook2Jaw]

Despite being on a kayak, I wish I had gotten a Helix 10.  I only have room for one unit, and split screening on my Helix 7 just isn't enjoyable.  I'd love to be able to run my sonar and charts in conjunction, but I feel that compresses things too much.

 

What I do enjoy is the ability of my little Helix 7 MSI to show me structure and cover very effectively, mark it accurately, and show me red arches when I've found some juice.

[kdubracing]

2 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Despite being on a kayak, I wish I had gotten a Helix 10.  I only have room for one unit, and split screening on my Helix 7 just isn't enjoyable.  I'd love to be able to run my sonar and charts in conjunction, but I feel that compresses things too much.

 

What I do enjoy is the ability of my little Helix 7 MSI to show me structure and cover very effectively, mark it accurately, and show me red arches when I've found some juice.

I'm the opposite in my kayak. I have a Striker 4 and have the screen right next to me. While I wouldn't hate a larger screen, this one is fine for me. But I pretty much only fish small quarry lakes and electric motor only lakes in the kayak. I use map creation function a lot. I don't have side imaging, just DI and 2D in the kayak. 

 

In the boat, I'm leaning toward replacing one of my Helix units at the console with SI/DI first, then replacing the bow later. What I have will get me by for now, especially when I get a Lakemaster chip. 

[J Francho]

Any used boat I've had, the graphs were usually outdated. I eventually upgraded them when I could afford it. They were a factor in price. A basic graph is $500 these days, so it's worth mentioning in the negotiations. 

[gim]

On 12/13/2020 at 12:12 AM, riverbasser said:

Fellow budget angler. I run an SI unit at the console and DI on the bow. It is also crucial for my fishing style to have GPS with map card on both units.

 

This is me too.  Side imagine doesn't seem to work great on the head of a bow mount IMO.  I'm sure some people do it, but using a Lowrance I get the best results from the console going about 4-5 mph (which is what the manual says is optimum operating speed for SI).  Additionally, some of the transducers are so big now they wouldn't even fit on the head of a bow mount.

 

I don't think the common angler out there can afford to just upgrade to the latest and greatest electronics technology every year.  I know I can't.

 

Also, just because you have it doesn't mean you are able to utilize it to its fullest capability.  It takes a while to learn how to best dial in these new features.  I'm still trying to learn how to use my SI to its fullest.

[moguy1973]

I have a Garmin Echomap 73sv at the console and a Garmin 53dv CHIRP at the bow.  The only thing I don't like about my set up is that I didn't wait a few years to get much better units (touch screens, UHD, etc) for the same price I paid for mine.  Love Garmin, wouldn't change to a different brand.  I just wish I fished more because I would go get two of the echomap 93sv UHDs they have on sale right now for $600 to upgrade both of mine.