Thread: One graph, moved back and forth?

Originally Posted by skunked again

I have myself convinced that I want/need si on both the bow and console. The question is, how.
For those that have put one, big screen, on your boat. And move it from bow to console, would you do it again? Was it worth it?

I use to do it,too much trouble in my opinion

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While I've never switched from console to bow, just turning the unit around and looking over my shoulder at it every now & then, I do want to give everyone a bit of warning about doing that very thing ... and what can happen if you're not careful.

The power cords are meant to snuggly fit into the receptacle at the back of the head unit, and sometimes they can be a bit reluctant to pull out easily. The WORST THING you can do is to "wiggle" the power cord plug back/forth to unplug the unit. JUST DON'T DO IT. Another 'worst thing' you can do is to get in a hurry and try to forcibly PUSH the plug into the socket. Take your time and make sure you've lined up the plug holes with the socket's wires. And here's WHY :

Forcing the plug can cause one or more of those wires to penetrate the rubber housing, rather than going into the holes of the plug. I know that because I've done it !! Wiggling the power cord to unplug the unit can cause one or more of those wires to be bent out of position. I know because I've done that, too. And while the wire or wires can be gently pushed back into alignment ... they are weakened, and may break if done too often. YEP , you guessed it .... that's what happened to my Elite 5DSI unit, and why I've had to buy another unit to replace it. (& just FYI ... it was only the 2nd time I pushed a wire back into place)

That may have been just my "bad luck" ... but, plugging & unplugging the unit to move it back & forth many times a day, under the stress or excitement of a good/bad fishing day, and you're just pressing your luck, IMHO.

With Christmas just around the counter I am thinking that a lot of fishermen will be getting the new sonar units under the tree. That way they will be several older sonar units on the market for sale after Christmas. So you never know you may be able to get some real good deals and just get two big units for your boat for the price of one of the newer smaller sonars. I have bought several used units in the past and have had very good luck with them so far.

Originally Posted by skunked again

Scrat, while I'd LOVE IT, that things more than half the cost of my boat! And more than 3x the budget.
Hays47, good point. Theirs a Garmin etrex 10 in the bottom of a local lake. Of all the ways it could have bounced when I dropped it. Let's just say I did some cussing!
Gotta fish, how are you liking it? Would you recommend doing it?

I think it's working great. I can use my 998 si full screen and use the 788 just for maps, when im.Catfishing when im crappie fishing put it back up front and im good to go. Cant wait to get a helix , the possibilities will be endless

Originally Posted by scrat

With Christmas just around the counter I am thinking that a lot of fishermen will be getting the new sonar units under the tree. That way they will be several older sonar units on the market for sale after Christmas. So you never know you may be able to get some real good deals and just get two big units for your boat for the price of one of the newer smaller sonars. I have bought several used units in the past and have had very good luck with them so far.

I'm trying to hold out with that in mind. Money starting to burn a hole in my pocket though, wife thinks I'm nuts! Which is nothing new!!

Thanks all for the replies!

I have seen some good responses.

I run two units, both SI. 899 at the council and 898 at the bow. I bought the 899 new and the 898 used last year. I never use SI at the bow. Are you sure you want SI at the bow?
I Ethernet connected my units so I can share waypoints.
I tried turning the 899 around so I could see it while fishing at the bow, however I seldom turned around to read it. Not that I could see much detail from 10' away. Hard enough to see fish 3' away, let alone clear across the boat.

I think the real question you need to ask is, how do you intend to use the sonar unit? What features do you want from each unit?
You already stated you want SI on each. Okay, that's a start.
Do you want one of them to communicate with the trolling motor?
Do you want to create maps?
How many card slots do you need? One is enough for a map chip. I prefer two so I can record to one, and use the other slot for a map chip or Autochart pro card.
Do you want the units to communicate with each other, if so. How much information do you want them to share?
Screen size? Every inch adds big bucks. You need to figure out where your price break is? We all have one. Can you afford the biggest screens? Or will you have to start cutting screen size to get within budget?
Is touch screen important to you?

Lots of options and they all add costs.
Getting SI is pretty easy these days, most units come with it.

I’d do it again BUT I found a big time bargain at cabelas discount cave and added a 20hr unregistered helix 7 si g2n with a bolt missing for less than half price. The extra base up front made it easier to decide where to put it. I do use the si. I spider rig and use it for poor man’s 360