Reply With QuoteGet a good sonar unit for the front you dont need SS or GPS unless you just want it. I have 2 HDS 5 one on the front and one on the back. But I use the one on the fron on sonar 100% of the time. The one on the back I use SS 90% of the time. EB
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Trophy King
Trying to decide on a front sonar unit
Noticed Cabelas has both a lowrance elite5 dsi and a humminbird 596c hd di on sale. (Figured out I could get either unit cheaper from other places) The Lowrance does GPS, chart plotter, down imaging but no 2D sonar. The humminbird does DI and 2D but no GPS and no map as far as I can see.
My question is this, for a trolling motor mounted transducer and front of the boat unit, what features do you think are most important? Are there other units that you would recommend over these for those needed features? I have a 998c SI/DI already so this would mainly be for keeping track of where I am while rigging and watching for structure. Maybe pinpointing over a brushpile as well.
Crappie.com 1K Star General
Get a good sonar unit for the front you dont need SS or GPS unless you just want it. I have 2 HDS 5 one on the front and one on the back. But I use the one on the fron on sonar 100% of the time. The one on the back I use SS 90% of the time. EB
Trophy King
Crappie Wall Hanger II
X2 EB! 2D sonar is more beneficial to me than all the other bells and whistles for the trolling motor. find what you want to fish with the console graph, mark it with a buoy, and stay on top of it, and work the perimeter with the TM.
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Look at the Garmin Echo 550c. On my last boat, I had a Humminbird 798 side imaging unit and hardly ever used the side imaging feature. Learned my lesson.
Trophy King
I like having the option of the map up front when fishing because i dont normally throw buoy's out and when im tracking underwater roadbeds from the front it helps quit a bit ,,as for the SS and DI i dont ever use it on the front of the boat 2D is by far better IMO too much clutter on DI for me i ran a HDS7 on the front for a while and ditched it ((little overkill and didnt get to use it they way it was meant to be used)) went back to my LCX unit ,,, but in all honesty its whatever you really prefer ,thats just works best me
Good fishin and see ya on the water
Crappie.com 2019 Man of Year, Supermod & Moderator of the Mechanics Forum
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Lot of it depends on how you fish. I troll or spider rig 90% of the time. That makes a GPS indispensable along with 2D.
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Charlie Weaver USN/ENC 1965-1979
Crappie Wall Hanger II
For me the 2d sonar and the gps used to go to next waypoint.
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I say the best sonar unit you can afford. EB says without GPS and I say you need GPS on the front. I use it every time I am on the water. If you ever fish a clear water lake like I do you need it. Clear water fish spook easier than dirty water fish do. GPS for me on the front or stay home... Ranger
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