Bow mount GPS

[Capt Steve]

I recently installed a Garmin 93sv in the console of my Z20 Nitro. I'm thinking of adding an inexpensive GPS/depth finder as a bow mounted unit. 
I mainly fish shorelines so I don't need to go overboard on electronics but I do have a few offshore brush piles and grass beds that I fish. 
Usually I just throw out a marker bouy and cast near it. However I think it would benefit me to have a gps on my bow so I can see exactly how far I am from the target. 
Any thoughts on what unit would fit my needs?  Again I doubt I'll use this very often so I don't want to spend a lot. 
Also should I get a Garmin unit and connect it to my existing Garmin?  do I need to connect it to my existing unit?
I live and fish in Florida so most of my fishing is flipping and / or anything in grassy shorelines but I'm learning to fish offshore a bit. I'm thinking of just adding another 93 DV or even a 73dv. I plan to attach the transducer to the trolling motor so I don't want another side scan unit. I'd like to keep the cost to $500-600 if possible.
Any thoughts ?

Thanks. 

[casts_by_fly]

I would suggest 'yes' to a networked unit.  Instead of a marker buoy, as you drive past you drop a pin on the console unit.  The console unit and bow unit can share waypoints, so then you see it when you're up front.  If you don't network them, then as you're driving by with the big motor your bow unit won't have a transducer in the water to show you the brush pile plus you'd have to run up to that unit to make a mark.

 

I don't know Garmin's setup for networking two units but I think it involves a black box so you'll have to factor that into your costs.  Though, if you're only using the front for GPS and have connected uniuts, then you don't need a second transducer for the front and can get a head unit only model which will save some money.

[Capt Steve]

On 1/9/2024 at 9:20 AM, casts_by_fly said:

I would suggest 'yes' to a networked unit.  Instead of a marker buoy, as you drive past you drop a pin on the console unit.  The console unit and bow unit can share waypoints, so then you see it when you're up front.  If you don't network them, then as you're driving by with the big motor your bow unit won't have a transducer in the water to show you the brush pile plus you'd have to run up to that unit to make a mark.

 

I don't know Garmin's setup for networking two units but I think it involves a black box so you'll have to factor that into your costs.  Though, if you're only using the front for GPS and have connected uniuts, then you don't need a second transducer for the front and can get a head unit only model which will save some money.

Thank you. That's exactly what I was thinking I'd like to do since I already have the waypoints on my dash unit. I'm just not familiar with the black box that connects the two. I knew there was some type of interface connection but I don't know the specifics. I've never used two GPS units in my boats. I'll start with Garmin to see what they suggest 

[RobA]

I have 2 Garmin 93sv units - 1 at the console and 1 at the bow.  They are connected by an ethernet cable, no networking box needed.

[casts_by_fly]

I hoped a single cable was the solution.  Some units can do it, some can't and I don't know enough to say which since I'm a humminbird guy.  Some of the newer units can also link via bluetooth with no cable required which is pretty slick.  Lowrance has one that will do it because my dad just put one on his boat (though his other unit wasn't capable and he doesn't care about networking them).  

[gulfcaptain]

Have all Garmin.  Want to save some $$, buy the outdoor eithernet cables on Amazon then wrap them with fusion tape from harbor freight instead of spending $60 on one cable can do it for 20 or so