Any suggestions on transducer placement issue

**LeeinMo** · 03-15-2013, 08:18 PM

I bought a new Lowrance HDI 7 elite the other day. I knew since I did not have side imaging I should be able to mount the transducer to the hull and shoot through it per all the guys at the dealership I bought it from.

I finally got the boat out today and was disappointed in the results of the setup that I have right now. The manual said to mount it to the flat pad in the back of the boat since it is flat. It is not n the very bottom of the hull, it is raised up about 8" from the bilge pump and aerator. When the trolling motor is on and moving slow I can get a depth reading on the sonar and I have a little bit of the down scan, but not like you see on the HDS structure scan units. If I start the motor up and idle over 5mph I lose the sonar depth reading and I can not even see anything on down scan.

Do you think I am getting to much water disturbance on the flat pad area? And just need to move it down to the bottom of the hull, if I can make the room and get it mounted down on the bottom?

Why do they have to make these darn things so difficult to use?

Thanks Lee

**Downsea** · 03-15-2013, 08:42 PM

Pretty sure it needs to be on the hull Lee. I just remembered, well kinda, something about needing to be a foot away from the outboard too. Good luck!

**Crappie_Express** · 03-16-2013, 08:16 AM

Lee Search the electronics forum here or the forum over at Bass Boat Central. Lots of great info on both on ducer placement and setup.

**ShortStorie** · 03-16-2013, 08:20 AM

Let us know how that Elite 7 HDI works out when you get the transducer in a good place. I'm spending way too much time staring at them in Bass Pro and various catalogs.

**Crappie Chatt** · 03-16-2013, 10:08 AM

My

,,,,

I would mount it on the transom. You may not like drilling in the back of the boat. But you will loose sensitivity and power by shooting the Down imaging thru your hull. I would want to get the most out of the unit and the best image as possible without sacrificing power. Another opinion ; epoxed-in, 4 days ago as per Brian at BBG Marine just got back from the lake. I had it on the transom & was having problems. Put it the bilge area like he said sanded and used 30 minute epoxy, I couldnt hardly tell the difference from the transom to the thru hull?? From reading how you installed the 'ducer',,,,it should of been epoxied to the bottom of hull,,, not the step-up. Air between water and ducer really makes them almost useless'. With double hulls, this may happen just about anyplace. Hope this helps ya!!! <*)}}}><

**mduncan62** · 03-16-2013, 11:27 AM

I don't get great results with my 2d ducer that I epoxied in. Unless it's a perfect install, I think you lose quality vs mounting on the transom or trolling motor.

**LeeinMo** · 03-16-2013, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Crappie Chatt

My

,,,,

I would mount it on the transom. You may not like drilling in the back of the boat. But you will loose sensitivity and power by shooting the Down imaging thru your hull. I would want to get the most out of the unit and the best image as possible without sacrificing power. Another opinion ; epoxed-in, 4 days ago as per Brian at BBG Marine just got back from the lake. I had it on the transom & was having problems. Put it the bilge area like he said sanded and used 30 minute epoxy, I couldnt hardly tell the difference from the transom to the thru hull?? From reading how you installed the 'ducer',,,,it should of been epoxied to the bottom of hull,,, not the step-up. Air between water and ducer really makes them almost useless'. With double hulls, this may happen just about anyplace. Hope this helps ya!!! <*)}}}><

Chatt, I looked at mounting on back of the transducer, but I did not see a spot that looked like water disturbance would not effect the results lol. Well I may have to pull it all out and start over then. Thanks for the opinion.
Lee

**LeeinMo** · 03-16-2013, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Crappie Chatt

My

,,,,

I would mount it on the transom. You may not like drilling in the back of the boat. But you will loose sensitivity and power by shooting the Down imaging thru your hull. I would want to get the most out of the unit and the best image as possible without sacrificing power. Another opinion ; epoxed-in, 4 days ago as per Brian at BBG Marine just got back from the lake. I had it on the transom & was having problems. Put it the bilge area like he said sanded and used 30 minute epoxy, I couldnt hardly tell the difference from the transom to the thru hull?? From reading how you installed the 'ducer',,,,it should of been epoxied to the bottom of hull,,, not the step-up. Air between water and ducer really makes them almost useless'. With double hulls, this may happen just about anyplace. Hope this helps ya!!! <*)}}}><

Chatt, I looked at mounting on back of the transducer, but I did not see a spot that looked like water disturbance would not effect the results lol. Well I may have to pull it all out and start over then. Thanks for the opinion.
Lee

**LeeinMo** · 03-17-2013, 11:43 AM

As you can see on the back of the Champion hull I do not see alot of area to mount a transducer to. I placed a black pc of tape where I feel is the only are in which you can mount a transducer. But with that I see a bunch of water disturbance coming off this area? I could move it to the left of the tape about 3" or so, but I am just trying to eliminate a bunch of holes in the back of the boat. The second photo is of a screen shot I took shooting through the hull which is not bad. In case some of you wanted to see "REAL" world photos and not a simulated photo.

Thanks

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**Krazy** · 03-17-2013, 03:22 PM

I bet it's cold out there trying the placement on the transom. Hehehe

Hey Lee.....u froze yet?

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