If you’re adding or upgrading the electronics on the new water bug, my recommendation is to go with the largest screens within the budget. What you get installed truly depends on your style/technique of fishing. This is my current setup that has evolved of the last few years and my technique has changed since the beginning. I was primarily at troller with long lines and spider rigging when I first began this project. I installed a Hummingbird SI 10” at the console and bow. I installed a Minn Kota Terrova 24v 80 lb iPilot without the Link addition. When I was trolling, I wish I had added the Link trolling motor so I could connect to my graphs for following the contours on the maps.
The second phase was adding a second unit to the console for mapping and 2d. I split screen the other console unit for SI and DI when searching for fish and/or structure. Again, I was primarily a troller and this setup worked perfectly for me.
When Mega Live was released, I added this to the Helix 10” on the bow and connected all the graphs thru a Ethernet hub. I attached the ML transducer to a seperate pole and not the trolling motor. This is when I stopped trolling and became more of a single pole and target fisherman. So I don’t need the contour following feature on the trolling motor.
The last phase of my system build was removing the Mega Live and adding a Garmin 106 and livescope to the bow as a second unit. The LS transducer is on a pole mount and not trolling motor. Sometimes, I wish it was but I use spot lock a lot and cast to my targets viewed on the LS. I use the Helix 10” on the bow for mapping and 2d.
So if I had a opinion on a “perfect” setup, I would go with a 10” screen or larger for the console and bow. I would add LS to the front graph and attach it to one of the brushless trolling motors that available. The brushless models are very quiet and you won’t spook fish like my Terrova. Just my .02 and some days it’s not worth that.
Whatever you decide, spend as much time as you can to learn the electronics. Spend a lot of time on the water playing with them because all electronics aren’t plug and play. Read articles, watch videos to gain as much knowledge as you can so you can get the expected return of catching more fish.
As lastly, make sure the install is done correctly. I over killed my installs by wire twisting all power wires, heat shrink connectors, emi tape on power cables and ran them separately from each other. Over kill? Probably but I have clear screens with no interference. If you don’t have confidence with the boat dealer, take it somewhere else that specializes in installs.
Last edited by KrappieKrane; 05-24-2022 at 08:42 AM.
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Reply With QuoteOriginally Posted by Tom 513
Ok fellas, I placed my order, but can change things up until production day. here is what I picked out: Console- Helix 10 MSI+GPS G4N Bow- Helix 10 MDI+GPS G4N and a Garmin ECHOMAP ultra 106SV w/t Panoptix Livescope and if your gonna go big you minus well get two 8ft Raptors. She will have Seadek through out the whole rig too. I have been a Lowrance guy so I read up on the Birds last night and like what I read also the Graphix on the Garmin unit are way better than the 1022 model. Now I just need to start a GO Fund Me page! naww working 6 days a week for over 35 yrs I should be able to swing it. Thanks for all the comments. Now the boat should be finished some where between July and September, it will be the longest Summer I will ever experience.
