Sonar war

[majflyboy]

It's not just " who's sonar is best" but how to apply it. If I decide on the the HB, do I need to buy two units or can I move one unit from console to front? Same question for Lowrance guys. Do you have to double up?? Someone just shoot up in here and give me some relief!!(Jerry Clower).

[fishin couillon]

Not sure what your asking? Are you looking for one sonar or do you want two?

[mduncan62]

Speaking from someone who has tried the single unit with a mount on the console and by the trolling motor, I'd say you want to buy 2 units and hook them together.
To accomplish this with HB, you need to buy an interlink. I ended up doing this, and bought another unit. I believe the interlink was around 150.00.

With Lowrance apparently you just have to buy a networking cable for 30.00 and then you can share data high speed between units.

It got to be a headache switching the unit around all the time. I don't recommend 1 unit with 2 mounts.

[Fishtaco]

I use one unit with two mounts. I have a transducer on the stern for when motoring or pulling cranks and I have one on the trolling motor for dipping, casting, spider rigging, etc.

I like having the two, and yes it might be more convenient to have two units, but I find that I can mark WPs quickly and have them available at both boat positions without having to access the data on an interlink or to remember to save the data from an interlink to the unit.

If I had someone else on the boat with me full time, as I used to with Marvin, then I would use two units. That way he won't keep asking me how deep the water is, or where the channel is, of if that thing gets Fox news (rolls eyes)...

You might want to talk with the Humminbird guys, Joby and Greg, and discuss their networking and see if there is something coming down the pike this year other than interlink.

[majflyboy]

Not sure what your asking? Are you looking for one sonar or do you want two?

That IS the question.

[fished-out]

On my previous boat, I did something different. I mounted two transducers (one on the stern and one on the trolling motor) and used a transducer switch depending on where I was sitting. I mounted the sonar on a swivel base and simply turned it so that I could see it when I moved from the console to the bow seat to run the trolling motor, flipping the transducer switch to the trolling motor transducer. 'Course, I only had a 17' boat and I had a nice flat spot on the console just outside the windshield to the outside of the boat with enough clearance to swivel the sonar, and my bow seat was close enough to the console that I didn't have any trouble seeing the screen. It saved me the cost of two sonars at the time, but I PREFERRED having two sonars once I could afford it.

[Cane Pole]

I use one unit with two mounts. I have a transducer on the stern for when motoring or pulling cranks and I have one on the trolling motor for dipping, casting, spider rigging, etc.

I like having the two, and yes it might be more convenient to have two units, but I find that I can mark WPs quickly and have them available at both boat positions without having to access the data on an interlink or to remember to save the data from an interlink to the unit.

If I had someone else on the boat with me full time, as I used to with Marvin, then I would use two units. That way he won't keep asking me how deep the water is, or where the channel is, of if that thing gets Fox news (rolls eyes)...

You might want to talk with the Humminbird guys, Joby and Greg, and discuss their networking and see if there is something coming down the pike this year other than interlink.

These words drives me nuts, and is why I have 2 sonars on my Jon Boat.

HB is not putting the Ethernet connector on the new units for decoration or beautification.

[jaxsprat]

These words drives me nuts, and is why I have 2 sonars on my Jon Boat.

HB is not putting the Ethernet connector on the new units for decoration or beautification.

Yes I agree, BUT are we talking 2010 or 2012???? That BE my question to the HB folks:rolleyes: and if that's what the new connection is for in 2010 great BUT-How could I link a new 998 with my old997.
Looks more & more like I need to sell the 997 then take a GOOD HARD comparison look between Lowrance & HB.

[Joby @ Humminbird]

Yes I agree, BUT are we talking 2010 or 2012???? That BE my question to the HB folks:rolleyes: and if that's what the new connection is for in 2010 great BUT-How could I link a new 998 with my old997.
Looks more & more like I need to sell the 997 then take a GOOD HARD comparison look between Lowrance & HB.

I think I posted this on another thread. I do not have any information on the new Ethernet Port other than future use.

Rigging

I someone asked me how would I rig my boat based on what I know now. I would put a 998 or a 1197 on the console and put a 788 on the bow unless you want a bigger unit on the bow. Then I would install a Interlink so I could share waypoints between the two units with two antennas using the picture attached below.

[fishin couillon]

If you can afford two units then by all means get two. If not then one will have to do. That's how i started out, one on the bow and i bought extra ducer and power cable and would switch it back and forth. Then as time went on i was able to have 2 units front and back.