Thread: SONAR units

Originally Posted by doodlebug

Hey folks, I've got an ancient Hummingbird 4000 in my boat right now and I'm wanting to upgrade to a better one. I'm looking at the Hummingbird Helix series and would like to get your opinion on those.
Also, how many units do you guys run in your boats? Do you run two, one at the console and one at the bow, or do you just use one and switch it back and forth?

I hear the Helix 5 series is pretty good unit...I dont know personally since the only hands on I have had with them is at Bass Pro.

I run two units on my boat a HB 999 HD SI on the front and a HB 597ci HD DI at the console.

The Helix is a new product so I don't know anything about them. Humminbird is a great product so I would think the Helix will be a good unit. I also run 2 units on my boat, a HB 858 on the bow and a HB 798 at the console

I have a HDS8 on & a HDS10 on my bow. Both are Gen 2 units. It took some time water on the to learn how to use them, but I am very confident using them now. The HDS units have six soft keys that can be preset to any screen combination (sonar, structure scan, chart, or any configuration of the three). I had Humminbird flashers and graphs for years. I don't remember when I switched or why. But have had good performance and service from Lowrance.

Just my

Haven't heard anything on the Helix, but over the years I've learned a few things. Don't scrimp on your electronics and trolling motor. If your a dedicated crappie fisherman, I think those are the 2 most important pieces of equipment on your boat. I have 2 HB 999s on my boat. One on the console and one on the bow. Yes there are better units out there, but there comes a time when you draw the line for what you need vs what you want. SI is a great feature for scanning a area for the first time and marking structure. After that I rarely use it. DI is great after you find that structure to see it in more detail. 2D sonar it is what it is. When selecting a unit, make sure it will allow you to use a SD/micro chip in it like the Lake Masters or Navionics Hot maps. Both the Lake Master and Hot maps give you valuable information about the lake and lake bottom. My suggestion is whatever unit you select, if your within a couple hundred dollars shy of the next unit up, hold off, save another couple hundred, and get the next unit up. In the long run you will be glad you did.

Like everybody has said you want to have two units if you can afford it. If you can't, you do what have to do to fish and have fun. The way I look at it, I have my cheaper unit in my dash to give me depth and water temp and to look while I am idling sometimes. I have my better unit (HDS7 Gen 2) up front to use while trolling and searching for new areas. The HDS7 has DS and SS which are nice but not necessary. I have a HDS5 in my dash. Both have GPS which is also nice but not necessary. That is my thinking best in the front. Other fisherman on here might have their best unit in the dash for idling around and scoping out new places without putting down the trolling motor. Some have killer units in both places. Good luck.

I rarely use my Di/SI anymore. I check out docks with it occasionally, but that's about it. I have learned to read my HDS units quite well and believe what they are telling me. Having your units set properly is an absolute must. Danny at BPS set mine and I tweaked them to my preferences.

But as Spidey said, buy the best you can afford.



Donn

Thank you all for your advice; it is much appreciated. I've still got a few things I'm trying to do to the boat to get it ready and it is costing me a LOT of money, so I think I'm going to have to prioritize things somewhat. I agree, however, that the sonar should be high on the list. Thanks again for your help.

Ipilot and rod holders most important when I rig a boat. Then GPS/Sonar unit. You only need one, just put it on a RAM mount and turn it around when at trolling motor. I longline mostly and am looking back anyways. I haven't taken my front unit with me in over a year.