Livescope bundle a good deal?

[mbk]

Sorry - I know there are a million and one livescope questions on the forums but here's another!

Looking to purchase this for my older boat. I'm going to try to make it portable (put it in a box with the Garmin unit - a 93sv most likely) on top. Similar to the way ice fisherman do. I see a lot of value in my small boat in making it portable/moveable within my 14' boat.

Anyway - I'd be doing the setup/install but am looking at this bundle on Basspro. Do you experienced livescopers think this is a good value?
Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 93sv Fish Finder Bundle with LVS34 LiveScope Plus, GT54, and Tracker Lithium Gen2 Deep Cycle Battery, for 2,800:


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I like the fact that it's the newer gear and the battery itself is pretty expensive.
I already have an older Garmin that I'll use for general use. This would be a dedicated livescope setup.

Also - and I know opinions will vary, but I'm also contemplating just buying the older UHD and LVS32 and saving a grand. I know it won't be the latest and greatest, but then again nothing I own is! But then I still need to find a good battery.

Thanks.

[SuperDave336]

Not my money but I’d buy the latest and greatest. As they like to say, “buy once, cry once.”

[zekepa]

I priced the 3 components using Bass pro website, came up with the same total as the bundle. Your not saving any money by buying the bundle. Only you can decide if your willing to pay that amount.

If you have their credit card you could get 0% interest for a year.

[mbk]

I priced the 3 components using Bass pro website, came up with the same total as the bundle. Your not saving any money by buying the bundle. Only you can decide if your willing to pay that amount.

If you have their credit card you could get 0% interest for a year.

Thanks.
You are right! I just saw that. There's really no 'bundle' savings there. I mistakenly thought the unit was the UHD2. It's not.

I wouldn't mind knowing if there's a decent battery that doesn't cost $400?

[zekepa]

Here is a pretty good video that talks about what size battery to get. The person who did the video has a 93 head unit and livescope, so its relevant to what your looking at. Short version is a 93 and livescope will draw about 3amps per hour. Simple math unless your fishing over 10 hours you could get a 30 ah battery.

The BEST Battery Size For Fish Finders | Livescope | Garmin | Humminbird | Lowrance (youtube.com)

Going with a 30 ah battery will drastically lower the cost. Board sponsor Impulse Lithium has a 30ah for $249. I think they also have a discount for Forum members. 15% for Board members.
IMPULSE LITHIUM - Crappie.com Introductory Pricing

I run Ionic batteries(smallest battery they have is 50ah so more money), but Impulse would seem to be an upper level battery company. I'm sure there are many more budget batteries out there but I have no knowledge to make a recommendation on those.

Also see this topic.
Cheap lithium batteries (crappie.com)

[CrappiePappy]

My question is ... if you're going to make this "bundle" into a dedicated LS setup, what do you need the GT54 for ?? So, if the "bundle" is the same price as all the separate parts together, why not buy the 93sv w/o the GT54 tdx and save some $$ ??

Secondly, though I haven't had any experience with the LVS34 tdx, from what I've heard it's just "better" at distance or depth.

As far as the battery ... yes, there are many ~50ah Lithium batteries for less than $400 (and don't forget you need a charger that will work with Lithium batteries).

[gabowman]

...and then you will have to figure out how you plan on mounting your 'ducer.....on the trolling motor shaft or on an (expensive) pole mount. Seems there is alot more money to spend when you decide to get a bundled LS system.

[justinp61]

Lowrance has some rebates going on now.

[Grainraiser]

Unless you fish really deep water or need to scan out 100ft I would save the $500 and get the LVS32 over the 34. You could use that $500 to get a larger screen Garmin unit which would be a better way to spend that money. If you just need a battery to power your Livescope unit get a 30ah battery. No need to spend $400 for a battery to run Livescope.

[mbk]

Thanks all. Great feedback. Decisions decisions.