WWYD? Active Target 2? Return Force?

[BassBlaster]

Heyo, what up party people?!! longtime lurker here…first post! Don’t kill me.

 

I just splurged on two Garmin 106sv units w/ GT54, 50” Garmin Force, and LVS 34 ($7k FML, wife thinks I spent $2k ? shhhhh)

 

I am upgrading my Tracker from a 45# MK Edge w/ two Hook 7 Reveals (super fancy). This is first boat with basic electronics, and it has served me well! However, after several seasons fishing as a co-angler and getting to run pro boats, I want more out of my system. 

 

My goal with upgrading was to get better tech, more power from my troller, spot lock, better cable management, integrated network, and try out forward facing sonar. Garmin seemed to check all these boxes…

 

I felt great about my purchase for about 72 hours, but now I am having second thoughts. Lowrance just dropped Active Target 2, and I am realizing the Garmin Force has an outdated transducer built into it. Further, did LVS34 just become obsolete with AT2?
 

I understand tech is changing faster than wallets can keep up (for me anyways), and there will always be something new, but I want to make a decision that future-proofs my investment for as long as possible. So I see my options as:

 

1) wait another year to see if Garmin releases an updated motor with better built in Transducer + Garmin’s version of 360 live 

 

2) return the Garmin stuff and go Lowrance Ghost + Active Target 2 

 

3) stay the course and install $7k of Garmin gear knowing its already dated and may be obsolete in two years

 

4) do nothing; no need to put 7k of electronics on a 10k boat…wait until your next boat

 

5) pull a Randy Blauket and just use paper maps with the OG spotlock (rope & anchor)

 

WWYD?

 

[GaryH]

First welcome aboard. Congrats on your new purchases. I must start with I’m a big MinnKota and Humminbird guy. If your considering upgrading to a different boat then I would definitely wait. But if your keeping what you have to wait for the next best electronics to come out it will never happen. Any electronics you buy will be outdated the next year in the manufacture eyes. I run a Ultrex with 3 birds with mega 360 and mega live and I know they will be old news in a year or two. Good luck on your decision and don’t look back just enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[Team9nine]

Reverse the order of your list, and that’s where I’d fall. Big fan of OG Spotlock and like Randy’s perspective, but guessing you’re not - lol.

 

Do nothing might not be a good alternative since you already purchased from the sound of it, so no sense letting the stuff just sit unless a new boat is imminent over the winter.

 

Which brings us to ‘stay the course.’ You got it, put it on and use it. Going beyond to either of the last two options risks your wife finding out the real cost of your purchase, and maybe even sinking the deal. Waiting for better makes no sense since ‘better’ will be obsolete in 2 years also…plus better will cost more than the 7k you already dropped.

T9 - keeping it “old school” ?

 

[BassBlaster]

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

First welcome aboard. Congrats on your new purchases. I must start with I’m a big MinnKota and Humminbird guy. If your considering upgrading to a different boat then I would definitely wait. But if your keeping what you have to wait for the next best electronics to come out it will never happen. Any electronics you buy will be outdated the next year in the manufacture eyes. I run a Ultrex with 3 birds with mega 360 and mega live and I know they will be old news in a year or two. Good luck on your decision and don’t look back just enjoy whatever you decide.

 

Thanks for this advice! I love the 360 from Hummingbird, I went back and forth on bird vs Garmin originally.  

[Woody B]

Keep the Garmin stuff.  Let others work the bugs out of the "latest and greatest".  

 

 

[Dirtyeggroll]

3.  
 

LVS34 not obsolete, due to AT2, shoot LVS32 is still not obsolete.

[Logan S]

On 12/3/2022 at 9:52 AM, BassBlaster said:

I felt great about my purchase for about 72 hours, but now I am having second thoughts. Lowrance just dropped Active Target 2, and I am realizing the Garmin Force has an outdated transducer built into it. Further, did LVS34 just become obsolete with AT2?

What about AT2 would make LVS34 obsolete?  Or even AT1/LVS32 obsolete for that matter?  

 

What you are seeing right now (IMO) is the start of the plateau on FFS for bass fishing - The new advancements coming out are improvements in clarity, target separation, and different views available....Not in the hardcore nuts and bolts of the tech itself.  The AT1/LVS32 models are 90% of the newest models, that hardly makes them 'obsolete'.  Many of AT2's new features actually require TWO AT2 transducers, in addition to the newest HDS Pro model MFD.  Its getting to the point where the leap from one version to the next is not nearly as dramatic as the initial jump to FFS or the jump from 1st gen FFS to the LVS32/AT1....But the price tag is as high as it's ever been, the value per $ is much different now.  

 

This is all just my opinion/take on it - To answer your question it would be one of these.  

On 12/3/2022 at 9:52 AM, BassBlaster said:

3) stay the course and install $7k of Garmin gear knowing its already dated and may be obsolete in two years

 

4) do nothing; no need to put 7k of electronics on a 10k boat…wait until your next boat

You have the stuff, might as well use it...its a great system and I'm sure you'll be happy with it.  OR, funnel that into a bigger boat which will likely have a turnkey electronics setup already installed (or a system that you can add FFS to easily).  

[volzfan59]

This is coming from a stock car racer from the 80's and 90's. You can chase the latest and greatest in technology if you want, but you had better have super deep pockets! I practically went broke racing and chasing speed.

 

No matter what you choose to do, it will never be the latest and greatest in two to three years. If I were you, I'd go with what I have. For me, I tend to be more like Randy, but I no longer fish tournaments. I've got two Garmin Striker 7"s on my boat and they serve me well. Great boat by the way.