Thread: One Unit, Two Locations

If it's an external GPS antenna, you will need one of those too, if you want the GPS functions on the unit. Otherwise, the unit will work sonar only just fine.

Originally Posted by Shellback

If it's an external GPS antenna, you will need one of those too, if you want the GPS functions on the unit. Otherwise, the unit will work sonar only just fine.

Yes, it is an external gps. I was hoping it would be plug and play. Thanks for the help.

I have enough length in my cable to reach the bow. I used 4 @ 2" long screws secured to unit base with nut and pcs of 1/8" hose to reduce the shock from not being mounted solid to boat. This way can move my SI to both places. the long screws has held the unit in place for me with just holes drilled in boat.

Originally Posted by gotatroll

Looking at getting a HB 898c HD SI. I have read many favorable posts on using the unit to locate structure, but also want to see it at the bow while trolling. Don't have the bucks to spring for one at the console and one at the bow. Anyone ever install two mounting locations and use one unit? What's involved other than an extra transducer, power cable, and mounting bracket? Thanks.

Gotatroll, I have a Lowrance e/w with two transducers and a switch to go from front to back. I am sure Humminbird has the same. The GPS should work from where ever you have it mounted..... crappie1133

Originally Posted by minnowtime

I have enough length in my cable to reach the bow. I used 4 @ 2" long screws secured to unit base with nut and pcs of 1/8" hose to reduce the shock from not being mounted solid to boat. This way can move my SI to both places. the long screws has held the unit in place for me with just holes drilled in boat.

So you have trans and puck at rear and move the unit as needed?

gotatroll,
There are different ways that you can do this. Which way you want to do it may be dictated by the $$$ you have to spend, the accuracy you think you need when you mark waypoints or by how you fish.

Setting up two complete stations is perhaps the most expensive but it does allow for the best results and will allow you to more accurately mark waypoints. When fishing at the bow you would be seeing sonar information from the trolling motor and not from the transom of your boat.

You could use longer cables or switches and cables to be able to use the same transducer and GPS from either the console or bow; but any sonar would be from the transom of the boat not at the bow where you mainly fish.

Sonar wise: if you want sonar data from the trolling motor while at the bow you will have to buy a second HDSi transducer.

GPS wise: if you want to more accurately mark waypoints and be able to travel back to them, than the GPS Receiver needs to be mounted as close as possible to the transducer you are using when you mark the waypoint. If you do not do this than you could be introducing an inaccuracy to the waypoint position at up to twice the linear distance between the transducer and the GPS Receiver. Example: trolling motor mounted HDSi transducer with a transom mounted GPS Receiver. Distance between them is 16 feet. When you see something on the sonar and mark it with a waypoint; that waypoint will already be up to 16 feet off. When you try and come back to it (depending on the boat heading when you marked the waypoint versus when you return), although the GPS may show you right on top of it you may in fact be up to 32 feet away from it (two times the linear distance between the transducer and GPS Receiver). This is of course in addition to the standard inaccuracy of the GPS we get to use.

Thanks Greg. I would like to do two stations but I still have a question about needing an additional gps puck. I'm reading that there are options on mounting the gps (deck, pole, ect). Am I making a wrong assumption that it might be moveable if on a pole of some kind? I guess it will clear up when the unit arrives and I see the install instructions. I don't want to do it if I need an extra puck too.

Originally Posted by gotatroll

Thanks Greg. I would like to do two stations but I still have a question about needing an additional gps puck. I'm reading that there are options on mounting the gps (deck, pole, ect). Am I making a wrong assumption that it might be moveable if on a pole of some kind? I guess it will clear up when the unit arrives and I see the install instructions. I don't want to do it if I need an extra puck too.

As long as you leave enough slack in the cable above deck to move the GPS puck close to the xducer that your sonar data is coming from...there would be no problem...

The GPS cable is 20' long...

Rickie