I think I would put it in front.
I have a Humminbird 798 side image unit coming that I'm gonna put on my Tracker 175. I currently have the original cheap Lowrance unit at the console, and a Humminbird 565 on the bow with ducer on TM. Should I put the new unit at the console with ducer on trans. or on the bow with ducer on TM? I spend most of my time on the bow except when striper fishing. I would then put the 565 at the console with ducer on trans to replace the Lowrance that has never worked for crap. Thanks for any responses, Tom
Waterboy1
I think I would put it in front.
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I'm probably going to be backwards from everyone else, but I have always run my bigger one on bow, and smaller one on console. I fish petty much same places, so if i can get close with console d/f I can troll to it. If i fished different places all time i would have better one on console. I have a Tracker and have Lowrance 522 on console and Lcx 28c on bow.Both tied together so I can put in waypoint from either one, or switch transducers from either
Well I guess I have to be different and would put the side scan unit on the console so I can drive around looking for stuff weather it be looking for one of my brush piles or just any out there or even just looking for a place to put one. Maybe I would want to scan an area looking for spots holding fish. I can alsways get on the front unit after I find what I am after and use it to get right on the spot. I have a pretty big unit on the front and it also has GPS, but not side scan plus I think side scan is better with the transducer on the transom as that one is pretty big. Plus if you have it on the front you can not use it when driving around slow looking for things.
I do know everyone I know has their side scan on the console, but maybe some pros have one at the front and console. I also have a remote controlled TM so if I want I can sit at the console and TM around looking from there with my TM. I do have a map chip in both units.
Guess I should add I have the 1197 and it would be very big for the front and I have a X27 on the front. THe 1197 seems like a TV set when use to a normal size unit.
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Side scan on console with transom rear mount!
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side scan does not do well on the front due to the trolling motor turning and moving the transducer a lot....the images will be blurred and not clear. Plus you get your best side images at speeds between 3 to 5 mph.
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If I put the transducer on the trolling motor and switch directions slightly, the scan should only be interrupted for a second or so, how will this make such a difference than if it was on the transom? I don't understand why it would blur unless I constantly adjust direction.
Waterboy1
Mostly because your TM is moving more than just when you turn it. Also if it's up there and you want to scout around with your big motor you will not be able to use it. It's the most important electronics on your boat and it has no cone coverage like a regular sonar and is just a thin waver type shot of each side. From the people I ask about that when I got mine (because it would have been a lot easier to leave my X27 on the console where it was) none said put it on the TM. IMHO, it's just not a good place for a side scan unit and is much more stable on the transom, but you put it where you want it.
I do know I would never put one on the front and like someone else said if you really want to see it from the front you can turn it around, but also it would be reading that back of the boat. Besides the transducer for tht unit is so much bigger than others.
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