Looking for advice on a FF for the front of my boat

[drifterdon]

Hi all,
I have a new 2012 Lund Impact 1675 and have mounted a HB 778ci on the console. The dual beam transducer is on the transom and working fantastic.
I also have a Minn-Kota Powerdrive V2 in front and want to add a fish finder to the front of the boat. I imagine I will be mounting the transducer right to the trolling motor.
I don't imagine I need GPS up there since the 788 on the console already has it. What I am concerned about is interference between the two transducers. I also like the color units but is that really a big deal for a fish finder used only while using the trolling motor.

Can you all give me some ideas for good units that will fit my needs?
Also price is an issue since I am retired and especially after buying the boat, but I am looking somewhere around 250-300 or so.

Thanks

[CatFan]

GPS on the front is nice. I didn't appreciate it until I tried to find spots on the TM. You can share the console GPS to a bow unit.

[crappiemax]

Hi all,
I have a new 2012 Lund Impact 1675 and have mounted a HB 778ci on the console. The dual beam transducer is on the transom and working fantastic.
I also have a Minn-Kota Powerdrive V2 in front and want to add a fish finder to the front of the boat. I imagine I will be mounting the transducer right to the trolling motor.
I don't imagine I need GPS up there since the 788 on the console already has it. What I am concerned about is interference between the two transducers. I also like the color units but is that really a big deal for a fish finder used only while using the trolling motor.
Can you all give me some ideas for good units that will fit my needs?
Also price is an issue since I am retired and especially after buying the boat, but I am looking somewhere around 250-300 or so.

Thanks

One thing to keep in mind is that even though the unit is at the trolling motor you will probably spend more time looking at it while fishing than you will looking at the unit on you console.
For myself, I would rather have a great black and white unit than a cheap color unit. And GPS on the front is too nice, that running around to look at the console unit is a pain in the butt.

I agree with CatFan, find a unit that can share info between the 2 units and you'll be all set. Last year, I put in an Low hds8 on the console and it drove me nuts not being able to see it. I added a hds7 to the console and linked with eithernet cable. Best thing I ever did.

Hey you worked all you life; you've earned the right to get some toys so you can enjoy the retirement.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Check your model number again there drifterdon. We don’t make a 778ci model unit. Is this instead a 788ci unit or a 788ci HD unit?

How large of a display do you want on your bow unit?

Does it need to be able to be linked with you console unit?

There is always the chance of having sonar-to-sonar interference between any two units that are run on the same boat that also use the same frequency for their sonar. 200kHz is a commonly used frequency even between manufacturers, but you may be able to get rid of the interference by turning on and up the Noise Filter menu if you do see any interference.

[drifterdon]

Thanks all and good catch on my fat fingering Greg. Yes it is a 788ci.
So if I try to network two together do they actually share just the one transducer?

[crappiemax]

I don't know about Birds but with Low you can choose which ducers you want to see.
On my console unit I have it set to watch transom ducer.
On my bow unit I split the screen either GPS/front ducer OR front/rear ducer*
Ducer could be either SI, DI or sonar.

*I like this combo especially when fishing drop-offs

[Humminbird_Greg]

Thanks all and good catch on my fat fingering Greg. Yes it is a 788ci.
So if I try to network two together do they actually share just the one transducer?

If that is an “HD” model 788 unit that you have you can set it and another “HD” unit to use only one transducer. If it is not an “HD” model 788 unit than you would not be able to set it up to use the same transducer that another unit is using at the same time. You could install a unit switch but then only one unit would be able to use the transducer at a time. A second “HD” unit would put you out of your $250 - $300 price range though.

[drifterdon]

Thanks for the replies.
Greg,
Unfortunately it is not an HD unit.

I may end up going with the accessory mount that comes with the transducer for the TM (DBK2) and just moving the head every time I want to use it.
Not the best option though.