Hds Trolling Motor Transducer

[Glenn]

I'm curious about mounting an HDS Gen2 transducer on the trolling motor in addition to the thru-hull transducer mounted in the hull. Is there a specific transducer for this, or are you supposed to use the one that comes with the unit? I'm curious whether or not this even works, since it's not paired with the sidescan transducers, I presume it's just downscan imaging. Would it change as you change direction of the trolling motor?

Anyone have experience with this?

[Todd Driscoll]

If you are referring to the 2D sonar ducers, with Gen2 nothing has changed in that regard. You can run either the pod or skimmer ducers on the trolling motor. The pods are more durable if you fish a lot of real shallow water. The skimmers can break off at the neck if you run it into the ground or stumps.

With units Ethernet-linked, the 2D ducers can be shared among units thru the "Network Sonar" feature.

Of course, the Lowrance StructureScan has its own ducer and it has 3 separate crystals - left, down, and right. "Downscan" refers to the down crystal with this technology, not 2D sonar.

When you mount a StructureScan ducer on a trolling motor, yes the left/right sidescan views are blurred when the trolling motor swivels, but with 2D sonar the view is unaffected as this is only a downward cone.

[Glenn]

Ok, so if I understand you correctly, I can use the ducer that comes with the Gen2 unit, and mount it on the trolling motor, correct? If so, is there a "transducer saver" that you recommend?

[Todd Driscoll]

Yes, the units ship with the skimmer ducer and it's just fine on the trolling motor. Lowrance actually sells a bracket to mount this ducer (see link below) to the trolling motor, but you can modify the transom bracket that comes with the ducer (pic included) and it actually is more durable than the designed bracket. All you have to do is bend the ears of the metal bracket slightly to accomodate the hose clamp. All in the pic is provided with the unit except the hose clamp.

factory bracket:

http://store.navico....ame=000-0051-45

I haven't used any of the transducer savers.

[Glenn]

That makes sense. One last question: the StructureScan ducer replaces the ducer that comes with the unit, correct? I ask because I'm getting a front and back unit w/StructureScan, so I believe I can order one unit without the ducer.

[Todd Driscoll]

No, the StructureScan ducer is entirely separate. You will need two 2D sonar ducers. The typical setup is a 2D sonar ducer on the trolling motor, a 2D ducer as shoot-thru in the back, and a StructureScan ducer mounted on the transom or jackplate. With your units Ethernet-linked, both units can read your StructureScan ducer, but of course when viewing it at the bow unit, the view is from the back of the boat where the StructureScan ducer is. Each StructureScan will only support one ducer, so another option is to get a second StructureScan and have it's ducer on the trolling motor along with the 2D ducer.

[Wayne P.]

Glen, Transducer Shield and Saver has a metal mount/protector for the Lowrance puck ( SSC-2 ) or skimmer ( SSC-1 ) for mounting on the trolling motor. They are in the Bass Pro catalog.