Ultrex transducer use or separate? Fishfinder recommendations

[JohnCal]

I just bought a bass boat and need to decide quickly what type of fishfinder to put on the bow. I have an Ultrex 80.  The dealer advised me that it has its own transducer on the trolling motor. Should I use this transducer or install one that comes with fishfinder? As of right now I have a Lorene hook shot reveal with split shot going on the hull. Should I get something different.  I can’t afford live scan but do want the best other options for the front scope.  I still have time to change my mind but need to tell them today. I read that you should get a humminbird if you have an Ultrex?  Also, I have a 5 inch humminbird helix on the helm and think I should upgrade to a 7 or 9 inch.  Any recommendations on make and models?  Sorry, new boat owner and trying to make smart decisions. Any help is appreciated. 

[Jig Man]

They can have two different types of transducers.  If it has the U2 universal sonar it will be 2d and should work with most brands of sonar units.  The other type is a Humminbird with 2d and down scan.

[JohnCal]

So if I want down scan on the front, I should make sure the transducer is the Humminbird one?

[Tennessee Boy]

The Ultrex has three transducer options.

 

Universal Sonar 2 -  Will work with most fish finders.  May require an adapter cable.

MEGA Down Imaging - Only Works with Humminbird.

 

MEGA Down Imaging / MEGA Side imaging-  Only works with Humminbird.

 

The Ultrex also has two options I-Pilot and I-Pilot Link.

 

I-Pilot Link can be networked with a most Humminbird fish finders which allows you to control the trolling motor from the fish finder to make it do things like follow a contour,  go to a way point, etc.

 

You need to find out what model Ultrex you’re getting and decide if you want to take advantage of the features it offers.  

 

 

 

[Jig Man]

3 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

The Ultrex has three transducer options.

 

Universal Sonar 2 -  Will work with most fish finders.  May require an adapter cable.

MEGA Down Imaging - Only Works with Humminbird.

 

MEGA Down Imaging / MEGA Side imaging-  Only works with Humminbird.

 

The Ultrex also has two options I-Pilot and I-Pilot Link.

 

I-Pilot Link can be networked with a most Humminbird fish finders which allows you to control the trolling motor from the fish finder to make it do things like follow a contour,  go to a way point, etc.

 

You need to find out what model Ultrex you’re getting and decide if you want to take advantage of the features it offers.  

 

 

 

When did they put mega side in?  When I had my Ulterra changed it wasn’t available.

[JohnCal]

I think they ordered the universal transducer and no I pilot link.  With this is there any advantage to staying with Humminbird fish finders?

 

I’m also thinking about mega 360, or like alternative.  That is its own transducer hooked to motor, correct?

[Tennessee Boy]

Just now, JohnCal said:

I think they ordered the universal transducer and no I pilot link.  With this is there any advantage to staying with Humminbird fish finders?

 

Not that I’m aware of. 

[WIGuide]

If you've got a Humminbird on the console, I'd put one up front too and network them together to share waypoints and sonar if you want so you can pull from your Side Imaging transducer up front too. 

[JohnCal]

Thanks everyone!