Thoughts on a Garmin Network with Echomap 73sv, 93sv, 106sv and a portable Livescope?

[zettler]

Ok, I already own the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv and the 93sv with GT54's. My initial thought was use the 73sv on the console Sea Nymph 175 Sidewinder) and the 93sv built into a dry box along with the parts of a LSV32 Livescope (Worlds Best Portable Fish Finder | DIY Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Fishing - YouTube) which would make it portable. I have all the parts just haven't taken the time to do so.

I have a Lowrance ELITE 7 TI currently on the front with the transducer on the trolling motor (MINN KOTA PowerDrive) and whatever I do, will replace it with one of the Garmin units.

Now comes the kicker. I see the Garmin 106sv is now on sale for under a thousand (actually $899 for my Veteran status), and a refurbished 93sv (with one year warranty) is becoming available next month for $600 - ironically, that is approximately what I paid for my 93sv that is still boxed up that I had planned for the portable Livescope.

So, to recap. The 73sv resides on my boats console. The 93sv is pending installation, either in the Livescope build or console or trolling motor.

I have the Lowrance still on the bow (I have more units I can add to mix but hesitate based upon my experience and their age) but is having issues.

So, now comes the 106sv at a price point I can work with. And the options are now wide open, with regard to do I buy another 93sv (refurbished) or a new 106sv. This way I can network them all together no matter where I place them on the boat.

Oh, and I will have four GT54 transducers if I buy either the 93sv or the 106sv, as I bought an extra new GT54 that I...wait for it, could install on my hunting/fishing Lowe Olympic 1672 (?). I bet you all didn't see that coming!

Why place a sole GT54 on the Lowe, either at the rear coming off the bench seat, or, on the front Minn KOTA Power drive (just happens to be the same model as on the Sea Nymph)??

Simple, that way I can just move either the Garmin 73sv, 93sv or 106sv off the Sea Nymph and use it on the Olympic - I can't recall what transducer I have on the front of the Olympic, either a Lowrance or Humminbird with its respective head unit. It is interchangeable for sure. And, as my Garmin Livescope will be portable, it will be up front with the transducer pole clamped onto the Olympic's side and could feasibly network with the other Garmin on either boat.

I just wanted to offer full disclosure, as my intent is not to confuse, even though that's my perpetual state of mind. So back to the Sea Nymph...

What I am looking for is counsel, thoughts, ideas, suggestions, questions I haven't asked or thought of, and the like, regarding do I get the 106sv ($900) or a refurbished 93sv ($600), and where would you place the three Garmin's in the Sea Nymph boat (while the price different is significant, it's currently manageable for spending on another Garmin I hadn't even planned on until this week):

WHICH UNIT AND WHERE

A. console/transom
B. bow/trolling motor, and/or the
C. Portable Livescope

And no matter what configuration I decide for the Sea Nymph, I will still be able to use any of the Garmin's, along with the Livescope, on the Olympic.

So, hopefully I have provided enough background and info for you all to make comments that can assist me in my dilemma. I look forward to reading them and discussing further.

Thank you in advance.

[tlefire]

I would go with the 106.....look up the pixel count.

93 is 480 x 800
106 is 1280 x800

[zettler]

Trust me, I am wanting that but having difficulties maximizing discounts and hate spending more than I have to.

You see they have 10% off gift cards through tomorrow, which effectively would bring it down another $90 BUT no one at either Cabela's or Bass Pro can tell me when, or if, this Garmin goes off sale. That's important as if it's done tonight, then I can't take advantage of the 10% off gift cards as they are plastic and have to be shipped - and the deal does not include eGift cards!

At least everything I read about or watch videos on, just confirm I ought to go with the 106sv but there's that price difference and I really do not like to spend more that I can....I just like deals!

Then, I am still need of counsel about what Garmin and where....

[rnvinc]

Note that Cabelas (Walmart and others) shopping thru the Rakuten app will garner a 3% rebate from Rakuten to your PayPal account or in a check mailed direct to you ...

Rakuten is a free app that basically shares their proceeds from retailers with you simply by opening the Rakuten app and choosing the store you want to shop at ... it then sends you directly to the retailer website for shopping ...

Rickie

[zettler]

Darn. Can't believe I forgot that!

Thanks for reminder.

[tlefire]

So you gonna buy 2 now........

[zettler]

So you gonna buy 2 now........

Ha Ha.

I wish that were the case and ability. Heck, until I saw the deal, I didn't even get the idea (fever)!

Up until I got a livescope and had decided on the portable setup using a 93sv, I had been somewhat content using all the other fishfinders I have - all 7" and smaller - but the 73sv changed all that. Got it on sale even cheaper using discounted gift cards, coupons, etc. And then, doggone it, they put the 93sv on sale and I did the same AND got the Livescope.

Now they're doing it to me again!

However, can't find any deals on eGift cards and no 10% off using a Cabela's MasterCard since May...

[zettler]

Okay, I bit the bullet and now am the proud owner of the Garmin 106sv as well.

In talking to a couple of people, it looks like I will place the 106sv into the portable Livescope I still have to assemble. Move the 93sv to the console and the 73sv up front and connect them both to a GT54 on the trolling motor, as I already have a GT54on the transom for the console.

Now my needs center on making them ALL NETWORKABLE, with the or without the portable Livescope....

I am not near my boat so can't measure but I think the distance between the head unit for the Garmin on the trolling motor , wrapped and out of the way as it's directed to OR FROM the console would be more than six feet.

My initial plan was/is to have the 93sv and the 73sv transportable TOO by having then in their respective brackets and mounted on a RAM MOUNT so all one would have to do is unscrew the cables for power, transducer and either leave a six foot network cable attached to them and they then connect to a network hub in the DryBox/Livescope, or, one of them be long enough to connect to the other when the portable Livescope is somewhere else, or __________?

Again, with ALL the units able to use the GT54 on the transom or on the trolling motor (with or without the Livescope), it just made sense to me at least to try and keep it simple BUT ALSO be able to make them have more utility and easy to manage???

Again, thoughts, questions, counsel???

It's late and I've been typing this all out on my cell. So forgive typos and the like....

[zekepa]

Okay, I bit the bullet and now am the proud owner of the Garmin 106sv as well.


Now my needs center on making them ALL NETWORKABLE, with the or without the portable Livescope....

The ALL NETWORKABLE is where you are going to have problems. The 73 and 93 only have network port, the 106 has two.

A live scope set up requires one network port to hook into. So you could hook it to any of the graphs individually. In my opinion the 73 screen is too small for live scope especially since you have a 93 and 106.

Since the 106 has two ports it can be used as a sort of network hub. To connect the live scope and one of the other graphs. That is what I would do.

I would connect the live scope to the 106 and then use the other port to connect to the 93. Leaving the 73 as a standalone graph. The 106 and 93 could then share the live scope and whatever transducer is connected to either head unit.

To network the 3 graphs and the live scope you would need to use a network hub.

Shoot me a message with your phone number if you want to talk about it more. I don't consider myself an expert but have a pretty good idea what is possible as far as setups.

[zettler]

Thank you so much for your assistance and counsel!

I have the parts to make my own hub so to save money and you can see what I will make on this video:

Build your own Garmin GMS 10 Marine Network Port Expander DIY $110 - Save $240 over the Garmin Hub! - YouTube



it too will go into the dry box as described in the following video too:

Worlds Best Portable Fish Finder | DIY Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Fishing - YouTube



I’ll be making some adjustments but the video captures what I need to build.
,

Sorry I need to get some sleep and will be back this afternoon or later…

Bob
it will down to where to install the UHD 93sv and the 73sv For not its not critical on where to place them with respect to the console vs fish finder since they use the same transducer and will be on a RAM MOUNT that will also make them interchangeable