Puck vs. Skimmer transducer?

[Bronson]

Interested in feedback about which kind of transducer is best to use on your trolling motor, a puck or skimmer? I"ve always used a skimmer and had good luck and was told years ago that it as well or better than the puck. Any advantages or disadvantages to using either would be appreciated. Thanks!

[CrappiePappy]

Have used both, but mainly pucks on TM. Never could tell any difference in 2d picture quality, but then I "was" using the old school 2d units. Only disadvantage of skimmer on TM, IMHO ... size. That may translate into more chance of hanging the transducer into submerged objects. I don't think there's any difference in the internal workings of a skimmer or puck, just a shape change for each one to perform/mount according to where they're primarily intended to be mounted. The skimmer style is intended for transom mount use (speed), but can be mounted on TM with a specificly designed bracket. The puck is designed for TM use, but can also be used internally (thru-hull).

I can't relate to this situation now, with my current setup, as my TM mounted unit has a bullet shaped transducer encased in a sleeve bracket. It lays along the bottom of the TM, very close & tight (Elite 5DSI unit). My console mounted 2d HB depthfinder has the puck transducer mounted in the bilge flooring (internal).

... cp

[skeetbum]

I learned recently that the skimmer was built to have directional orientation, and the puck had none. From this I gather that the skimmer has a slightly forward looking nature and the puck would be straight down regardless of direction. Both work well on the TM and I have no further info to back up the directional thing.

[Dutch552]

I've used both with my Humminbird 2D units and couldn't tell a difference either way other than the skimmer tended to scrape on stuff more from sticking out so much. I have a Minn Kota with US2 for pure convenience and I can't tell a performance/quality difference in my sonar with it either.

[CatFan]

I learned recently that the skimmer was built to have directional orientation, and the puck had none. From this I gather that the skimmer has a slightly forward looking nature and the puck would be straight down regardless of direction. Both work well on the TM and I have no further info to back up the directional thing.

They are identical except for the plastic around them.

[Bronson]

Thanks for the help. I noticed where one of the bass pro's said he liked a skimmer on his trolling motor as well. I've always used one but wondered if I might have been missing something by not using a puck. I'd heard the same thing that CatFan said that they were basically the same thing. Crappiepappy made a good point that being larger it might be easier to get hit. I bought a set up that runs in front of it that does a really good job of keeping it protected. Can't remember the name exactly but it's something like VeeJee. Now I can run it into practically anything.

[Lonestar Proud]

At least with Lowrance, the puck and the skimmer transducers are the same internally. For me, I knew it would just be a matter of time till I'd hit something and break the neck on the skimmer ducer hanging on the bottom of the TM. I did, and it did. The day it broke I bought a puck and put it on and no longer worry about it breaking when I smack something.

[Bronson]

That's where it broke on my last one, right at the neck. I'm thinking about epoxying around this one to strengthen it. Hopefully that will help.