"New" boat - where to start with GPS fish finder

[The Baron]

We're the proud new owners of a very clean 2002 Bass Tracker Pro Team 165, with a pretty basic 40# thrust foot pedal operated trolling motor.  The boat does have a small fish finder at the console, but it's of the same era so is #1 on my list to upgrade.  My favorite fishing is off-shore structure, but we'll run the shore or frog the pads regularly.

 

Here's what I would like in the setup:

- a fairly large screen, for aging eyes

- relatively high definition to identify bottom structure and fish

- GPS, with downloadable lake maps (for Ontario)

- ability to mark way points for structure or just to be sure I can get back to the launch in an unfamiliar lake

- ability to quick disconnect the unit from the console and move it to the bow when fishing (with dedicated transducers for the two)

Ideally, my budget would be $1,500 max. so I don't know if that puts us into a unit with side imaging?  I'm assuming we're no where near getting Panoptics for targeting suspended fish?  I would not be opposed to upgrading the tolling motor to a GPS/spot lock type unit down the road, as a separate budget item if it made sense to build the setup in stages.

 

I have no idea where to start, so am looking for help .  My knowledge base is essentially zero, but if I can get pointed in a direction I'll know where to focus my research efforts.

 

[gim]

You may be limited to a specific size screen if you intend to flush mount it into the console.  Additionally, if you do flush mount it, taking it out and moving it to the bow regularly really isn't an option.  It's kind of a bit**.  It's not impossible obviously, but its just not something I would want to do every time I went fishing.

 

You should easily be able to find a unit under $1500 with side scan.  Most modern units nowadays have it.

 

As far as a bow mount, there's a lot to get into with that too...

[AlabamaSpothunter]

You're going to get more experienced and better replies, but with that budget I'd grab a new Garmin ECHOMAP UHD29.    Big 9" screen, maps and excellent downscan and sidescan, and perhaps most importantly down the road you can buy Garmin Livescope and use the same unit.

Garmin ECHOMAP™ UHD2 9" Chartplotters | Marine

 

Just add another transducer to the cost and you are at your budget. 

[Jig Man]

Ideally a one boat network is the way to go.  I suggest that you take your time and research gps/depth finder units and trolling motors to see which have your stated options and what the prices are.  

[WRB]

#1 imo a Spot Lock TM

#2 sonar unit compatible with TM.

 St Lawrence River/Thousand Island area where you are located is big water with big waves, 16 1/2 Tracker needs to stay near shore!

 Today’s sonar units are pricey and you may be better off locating a good used unit that someone has upgraded to current model.

Ram mounts have good inexpensive units to raise the bow Sonar unit up about 12”.

7” sonar in the bow and 7” to 10” unit on a Ram mount at console is big enough imo.

Navonics are a good chip update.

Tom

[Susky River Rat]

I would do the TM with spot lock first. As far as sonars. I personally wouldn’t keep switching them back and forth while on the fly. You are asking to drop one or mess up the connections. I run garmin strikers nothing crazy but they get the job done. They do not have the lake map feature. Boat used to stand for break out another thousand. Now it’s many thousands. I have a 19 bass tracker 160. The front casting deck with a pedal would be very crammed with a big screen unit. 

[The Baron]

55 minutes ago, WRB said:

St Lawrence River/Thousand Island area where you are located is big water with big waves, 16 1/2 Tracker needs to stay near shore!

For sure - I have no plans to be on either body in all but the most perfect weather, and even then never more than a 15 min from the ramp.  This boat is ideally suited for the many dozens of smaller lakes I have within a short drive, or other adventure day small lakes a bit further.

[casts_by_fly]

For what you’re describing, a helix 9 G4n msi+ is where I’d go (and what I might upgrade into in 2 months). You’re going to ram mount it to the right of the console and a 9” is about as big as you want to go there. A 10 would probably fit but that’s out of budget. For me, hummingbird has the best side imaging.  I love my helix 7 and the 9 has the improved transducer. It has all of the gps mapping you need. The ‘n’ models will network with a trolling motor or mega live setup later if you want. 
 

swapping front and back is going to get old quickly. A ram mount will make it easier.  A second hand helix up front might be a better option. What do you want to see on the front screen?  Side imaging?  2d?

[12poundbass]

To get the most bang for your buck check out the Garmin Echomap units. If you’re patient and wait for sales (Bass Pro has their spring sales soon) you might be able to get two 9” units close to your budget. 
 

If not, you might be able to swing a 9” SideVu for the counsel and a ClearVu for the bow within your budget. 

[Susky River Rat]

11 hours ago, The Baron said:

For sure - I have no plans to be on either body in all but the most perfect weather, and even then never more than a 15 min from the ramp

Unless your smaller lakes are on the lake mapping it may not be worth it to have a unit with lake maps. Worst case get the Navionics app on your phone. Once you get the waypoints marked you’ll just be going to those anyway.  Just some food for thought. not saying it’s the best but could be a compromise for you.

[The Baron]

Thanks all.  After some research and tip from a friend, I'm leaning heavily toward a Garmin Echomap UHD 95sv or possibly a 75sv if I come across either at a great deal.  Figure after buying one for the console I'll then wait until I've tried it out and fished the new boat a little, before deciding where to go from there for upgrades.  Possibly a Force trolling motor.

[gim]

I wouldn't even consider buying a unit without the ability to have or download HD maps/GPS nowadays.  Other than basic sonar, its the single most important feature of the units that I own.  Not just for finding structure, but also purely from a safety stand point.

[WRB]

ZA 7” unit is big enough for 1 split screen and consider buying 2 ea. Use will use the bow unit more then the console unit.

Tom

[12poundbass]

On 1/30/2023 at 7:36 AM, The Baron said:

Thanks all.  After some research and tip from a friend, I'm leaning heavily toward a Garmin Echomap UHD 95sv or possibly a 75sv if I come across either at a great deal.  Figure after buying one for the console I'll then wait until I've tried it out and fished the new boat a little, before deciding where to go from there for upgrades.  Possibly a Force trolling motor.

Looking over on the “latest sale thread” it appears that the Garmin Echomap units will be on sale at Bass Pro later this week. 

[gulfcaptain]

Garmin. In the process of replacing all my units to the echomap series. FYI, if you're looking to later network these then you need to go with the ultra 106 unit. Has 2 network  hubs, and doesn't require the expansion port. Also the echomap  units unsnap so you can have one unit, two bases and have everything wired  already. Bases  are about $50-60 or so plus cords and whatever else you might need but be a quick unsnap and snap in if you're swapping from the console to the bow.  The 106sv you can find around $1399 with the transducer 

[FishOn!GetTheNet]

I went through this same thing years ago I was looking at  gen 1 panoptix or spotlock, auto pilot TM. I went with panoptix a year later I got spotlock,autopilot and the TM was more of a game changer than panoptix. Now you could probably get a used TM and Garmin UHD 73sv for 1500$ on facebook just my 2 cents