Electronics Questions

[boydn1]

I'm getting ready to buy new electronics front and back. Options are:

1. HDS-8 @ Console, HDS-5 bow with Structure scan. LSS Transducer on transom.

2. Bird 998 @ Console, 798 bow. Transducer on TM and Transom.

I think I like the Lowrance units better but, with only being able to have one transducer hooked to the structure scan while fishing on the front the display at my feet is really showing 18' behind me.

Is this a big deal? Or should I go Bird and be able to switch transducers to match where I'm at on the boat?

Thanks in advance!

[NZ6]

I cogently want the the tran close I have one on the trolling motor an the one in the dash just right behind me

[Wayne P.]

You can have a LSS-1 transducer on the trolling motor and the transom. Just buy another LSS-1 and daisy chain the LSS-1 boxes.

The Humminbird units come with a single transducer that does Side Imaging, Down Imaging and Switchfire 2D sonar.

[Traveler2586]

I'm getting ready to buy new electronics front and back. Options are:

1. HDS-8 @ Console, HDS-5 bow with Structure scan. LSS Transducer on transom.

2. Bird 998 @ Console, 798 bow. Transducer on TM and Transom.

I think I like the Lowrance units better but, with only being able to have one transducer hooked to the structure scan while fishing on the front the display at my feet is really showing 18' behind me.

Is this a big deal? Or should I go Bird and be able to switch transducers to match where I'm at on the boat?

Thanks in advance!

I went to the BPS, an hour away in Balt. MD, with cash in hand to buy a HDS-8 for the bow of my boat. The salesman gave me a good demo and we had it at the register; then I thought about what I needed to mount the trans on the TM; good thing I did and started asking questions. I was very dissatisfied with the mounting arrangement I was told was called for, it did not look adequate and something that was an afterthought by the factory. The sale stopped there and I drove home empty handed to see if I could get a better answer on the Internet - nothing.

I'm a river rat, and you name it and I've probably hit it with one or both of my motors So a solid mounting for the trolling motor transducer is a must. I also believe I want to see what is under me when fishing from the bow, not what's behind me. And I really do not like the idea of dragging a transducer hanging off the butt on my boat. So the bottom line for now has been no new electronics.

I also would like to know the best way to proceed with selecting and installing something new. Suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Eric

[Wayne P.]

Traveler, both Humminbird and Lowrance have transducers that are specifically made for trolling motor mounting. There is no reason to adapt a transom mount transducer for the trolling motor when there is an alternative. There are a couple of ways to deal with marine electronics, mounting them and installing them.

An installaton uses the correct parts for the purpose.

If you have severe usage planned, there are transducer protectors that will minimize breakage.

[Traveler2586]

Traveler, both Humminbird and Lowrance have transducers that are specifically made for trolling motor mounting. There is no reason to adapt a transom mount transducer for the trolling motor when there is an alternative. There are a couple of ways to deal with marine electronics, mounting them and installing them.

An installation uses the correct parts for the purpose.

If you have severe usage planned, there are transducer protectors that will minimize breakage.

Thanks Wayne, I've been using a Transducer Shield since they hit the main market, and it's great; and my rear trans is a standard inside install. But I just can't seem to wrap my mind around this subject of new electronics. I agree with boydn1 and his selections, the HB ethernet network connectivity looks clean, I'm not so sure about Lowrance at this minute; but none really show what a trolling motor puck looks like or mounts; and is there a inside mount style side imaging trans?

In talking with the sales floor staff at BPS and GM, no one can get into details and they don't want to start opening box's. For the $$$ involved I feel I have to get it right the first time, and not go back for add-ons to patch a system together.

I'm hoping one day I'll meet someone at the ramp that has time to talk about their system.

Thanks for the feedback Wayne.

Cheers, Eric

[Wayne P.]

No imaging transducer can be used as a shoot-thru. The sonar pulses that do the side scanning won't work through air.

It is really simple to know what is availble for Humminbird, go to their web site and look at all the transducers listed and what units are listed they will work with. Yes, the Humminbird inter-unit communication system is a lot less cluttered and a lot less parts with the newest models--just a single Ethernet cable.

There is a trolling motor puck version of the Compact Side Imaging transducer used with the 798ci HD SI.

It is the large one in this picture. The dual frequency 2D trolling motor puck is the smaller round one.

To use the HDSI Side Imaging transducer on the trolling motor, the Transducer Shield and Saver is the best mount system and looks like this on a trolling motor:

[Traveler2586]

I'm getting ready to buy new electronics front and back. Options are:

1. HDS-8 @ Console, HDS-5 bow with Structure scan. LSS Transducer on transom.

2. Bird 998 @ Console, 798 bow. Transducer on TM and Transom.

I think I like the Lowrance units better but, with only being able to have one transducer hooked to the structure scan while fishing on the front the display at my feet is really showing 18' behind me.

Is this a big deal? Or should I go Bird and be able to switch transducers to match where I'm at on the boat?

Thanks in advance!

So guy's,

Any selection, installation tips, or first hand experences on these units that you can pass on to boydn1 and I ??? I'm trying to do my homework on-line and anything you can offer on these units would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Eric

[Wayne P.]

I did all the research just like you are doing and based on the functionality of each brand, I chose Humminbird. While it is nice to see all the "stuff" the imaging technology will show, I fish when I am on the water.

The Humminbird Side Imaging units have the adjustabilty to make it a fishing tool not just a searching tool.

I have three Humminbird Side Imaging units, "the fish can't hide"

[Traveler2586]

I did all the research just like you are doing and based on the functionality of each brand, I chose Humminbird. While it is nice to see all the "stuff" the imaging technology will show, I fish when I am on the water.

The Humminbird Side Imaging units have the adjustabilty to make it a fishing tool not just a searching tool.

I have three Humminbird Side Imaging units, "the fish can't hide"

Wayne, Nice setup.

LOL, No I don't think a fish could hide from you

So, are these all connected to each other with the Ethernet cable; how many transducers do you have and where??

Lastly, did you power them off of an accessory switch and the boats fuse block, or did you power them directly from the battery?

I'm still reading

Nice Hummer's, Eric

[Wayne P.]

I don't have any of them linked. I have no use for that function. Most of the places I fish, I have memorized via many years of experience.

Each has its own Side Imaging transducer.

The bow unit uses a trollling motor mounted SI transducer-That is the one I use the most since my purpose on the boat is fishing.

The two console units have transom mounted SI transducers.

All are connected directly to the battery with individual circuits using 12 gauge marine grade wire spliced onto the unit power cords.

[boydn1]

I'm a little confused. Says bow unit transducer on TM and two consoles ducers are transom mount but, the picture shows two ducers on the TM.

Am I missing something?

I don't have any of them linked. I have no use for that function. Most of the places I fish, I have memorized via many years of experience.

Each has its own Side Imaging transducer.

The bow unit uses a trollling motor mounted SI transducer-That is the one I use the most since my purpose on the boat is fishing.

The two console units have transom mounted SI transducers.

All are connected directly to the battery with individual circuits using 12 gauge marine grade wire spliced onto the unit power cords.

[Wayne P.]

I'm a little confused. Says bow unit transducer on TM and two consoles ducers are transom mount but, the picture shows two ducers on the TM. Am I missing something?

Yes, you are missing something. Only one of the trolling motor transducers is a Side Imaging transducer. I posted that picture to show what a Side Imaging trolling motor puck transducer looks like. I don't use either of those transducer now. I am using the one with the Transducer Shield and Saver mount in the second picture. The 1198c SI uses the HDSI transducer, I was using the puck type when I was using the 798ci SI on the trolling motor.

[Traveler2586]

Question, how does the side imaging react on the trolling motor when you change directions?

[Glenn]

I'm curious about the drain on the cranking battery. Can you go all day long and still have enough power to start your big engine?

[boydn1]

Thanks for the input.

Guess time will tell. I ordered a 798ci SI HD for the bow and a 998c SI for the console tonight.

[Jig Man]

I'm curious about the drain on the cranking battery. Can you go all day long and still have enough power to start your big engine?

I'm running 2 Low HDS8 and 2 lss1 units. I have had no starting problems. The Low units will tell you if you voltage drops as they will shut off when you crank up it the voltage drops much below 12V.

The best cranker I have found is the Sears AGM with 1150 CCA.