Down position gives you an equal range forward and back. Effective range will depend on the depth of the water but it is much wider than traditional sonar or down imaging. On Forward view you not only see forward but also directly below you and 5 feet behind the transducer. For most crappie fishermen that means they will be using forward view the vast majority of the time because your up front on the trolling motor fishing out of the front of the boat. Some fish pull off piles and timber and scoot under the boat because they like the cover, but its hard to fish under the boat!