Which sonar/fishfinder?
- Thread starter AzTacoma
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carvercalls
Member
That's real interesting..
Edward Gerdemann
Well-Known Member
Interesting technology. If it catches on all of the sonar manufacturers will be offering it. The only caution I would issue is not all of this new technology does what it says it will do. I remember some years back when a depth finder company, I think it may have been Bottom Line but I'm not sure, marketed a unit that claimed it could pick out and ID individual fish species. A friend of mine bought one, however I could see it had problems when it was showing salmon swimming in Lake Pleasant near where I live in Phoenix. This technology looks interesting, however unless the other companies buy into it I would be cautious before buying one of those units. 
Ed Gerdemann
Ed Gerdemann
Well I'm supposed to pick up a Helix 7 CHIRP DI GPS G2N early next week. I choose that mainly because it was clearanced pretty low, and I can connect it to my trolling motor if I ever get the i-pilot. And I like the Lakemaster map upgrade. Although modest to some, it's way more fishfinder than I've ever had and I'm sure I'll be pleased. Now I have to start thinking about the install.... 
littledawg
New Member
Let me preface this by saying I'm not a new user to WW; I just couldn't remember my login or password.
It looks like you already made your decision, but down image and side scan are useful tools for every user and every species. It sounds like your an old school 2D sonar guy, but I would suggest splitting the screen and run the downscan and 2D sonar at the same time. The down imaging isn't going to mark fish the same way 2D sonar does (arches), but more often than not it will confirm the object your looking at is a fish. The DS is a much tighter cone than 2D sonar, ie; easier to see your bait right below the boat. I'm not sure why folks wouldn't use side scan for striper fishing at Powell. While it may be too deep or the walls may be too far left/right, it will still show fish and shad schools as white streaks or specks (Lowrance).
The primary difference between a $500 unit and a $1000 unit is the resolution. The general functions are the same. Picture an older 730p television vs. a 4K television. Furthermore, I personally wouldn't buy used unless the unit was less than 2-years old; I wouldn't buy a 5-year old cell phone. Most of the times these units require the occasional software update. If the previous owner didn't follow the updates it could jack your whole unit up if you try to install the most recent update. Plus the wires are usually twisted and pinched; thus requiring a new transducer negating the great price.
The Humming Bird or Lowrance units can use the built-in Minn Kota US2 transducer for 2D sonar only and they now have the mega imaging for the HB (at least on the Ultrex motor, not sure about i-pilot), if you don't mind spending $2900 on a trolling motor. I'm not sure how much side scan will help you based on the transducer installation (I presume it will be on the troller), as it usually requires a 3-5 mph speed to get a good picture, but don't discount side imaging. The more you play with it the more you will find it useful. Next thing ya know you will be buying another one and linking them together.
I ran the old Lowrance HDS gen 1's for a long time. I recently changed to the Elite Ti2. Mostly because I couldn't afford the Lowrance HDS Live units. I looked at the Garmin Livescope but $2500 was out of my price range. From the specs, it looks like the Helix 7 is a very capable unit and you can even connect your phone. Good luck and leave a few fish for me...
It looks like you already made your decision, but down image and side scan are useful tools for every user and every species. It sounds like your an old school 2D sonar guy, but I would suggest splitting the screen and run the downscan and 2D sonar at the same time. The down imaging isn't going to mark fish the same way 2D sonar does (arches), but more often than not it will confirm the object your looking at is a fish. The DS is a much tighter cone than 2D sonar, ie; easier to see your bait right below the boat. I'm not sure why folks wouldn't use side scan for striper fishing at Powell. While it may be too deep or the walls may be too far left/right, it will still show fish and shad schools as white streaks or specks (Lowrance).
The primary difference between a $500 unit and a $1000 unit is the resolution. The general functions are the same. Picture an older 730p television vs. a 4K television. Furthermore, I personally wouldn't buy used unless the unit was less than 2-years old; I wouldn't buy a 5-year old cell phone. Most of the times these units require the occasional software update. If the previous owner didn't follow the updates it could jack your whole unit up if you try to install the most recent update. Plus the wires are usually twisted and pinched; thus requiring a new transducer negating the great price.
The Humming Bird or Lowrance units can use the built-in Minn Kota US2 transducer for 2D sonar only and they now have the mega imaging for the HB (at least on the Ultrex motor, not sure about i-pilot), if you don't mind spending $2900 on a trolling motor. I'm not sure how much side scan will help you based on the transducer installation (I presume it will be on the troller), as it usually requires a 3-5 mph speed to get a good picture, but don't discount side imaging. The more you play with it the more you will find it useful. Next thing ya know you will be buying another one and linking them together.
I ran the old Lowrance HDS gen 1's for a long time. I recently changed to the Elite Ti2. Mostly because I couldn't afford the Lowrance HDS Live units. I looked at the Garmin Livescope but $2500 was out of my price range. From the specs, it looks like the Helix 7 is a very capable unit and you can even connect your phone. Good luck and leave a few fish for me...
I am not a wizard when it comes to graphs -fish maybe? What I do know is that I can see on the fish report photo posted yesterday that my split screen verifies when I am looking at fish or trees, bushes or drop-offs. Take a look at this picture and you can see the fish marks on the left side and the round little shapes on the right side. This is, without a doubt, fish traces thanks to the double verification on the sonar.
I was on a boat with a Garmin graph and I have a Humminbird on my work boat. Both split screens show fish marks and verify with shapes. So what you have all said is probably right and I agree with the conversation.
Thanks for the input guys. I also think the downscan will be handy, especially in conjunction with the sonar. I shied away from sidescan for several reasons... budgetary, knowing my own tech patience level, and some practical concerns. And I tend to agree about buying used when it comes to electronics... it would have to be a great deal from a trusted seller. But yeah I'm excited just get something decent for the bow. Turning the tiny screen at the helm and looking through the windshield was sketchy, lol. FYI, the flyer I saw shows BPS/Cabelas will have the Lowrance 7" Tripleshot on sale for $500 come Feb 15. Not a bad deal.
Jimmy Davis
Member
You will love the down scan! Before chirp sonar alot of the images of things below us were so muddled that most of us thought was fish was really tree limbs. With downscan you can easily see which it is. Side scan units unless you get the new mega imaging units was very hard to see fish! Most people only used side imaging for seeing structure to fish. Good luck with your new unit. Later if you have any questions there is several good sites to learn from. BBC Boards and Texas fishing forum as well as here on Wayne's world you can learn a tremendous amount about sonars and fishing styles.
I think I'll need the help... I'm getting the sense that the Hummingbirds are more complex and less user friendly than the Lowrances. I should be good for most important things pretty quickly, it'll be the tweaking, personalizing, and adding options I can figure out over time.
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