Two screens for one chartplotter and side vue?

[Pa Boat]

OK, I'm finally going to replace my Helix 5 with an new chart plotter and side vue sonar. I want to have a display at the helm and a second on the front end. I want to be able to add waypoints at either location.

I also have a transducer on my trolling motor that could be part of the same setup, or an independent unit.

So, how do I link two units to act as one?

Any recommendations on brand and features are appreciated.

[Chuck Adams]

Not sure but I don’t think your Helix 5 will be able to network.
Never owned a 5 but whatever you use has to be Gen3N or newer.


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[BobB]

Chuck is correct ... the Helix 5 will not network. Must be at least a 7 with the N on the end of the model name.

[Pa Boat]

Thanks to both.

Any brand recommendations? Humminbird, Garmin and Lowrance all have networkable models.

[BobB]

It kinda depends on what is important to you ..... Each mfg has their own strength. If you can see Livescope in you future then Garmin would gain points ... but if SI and DI are most important, then Humminbird would be the way to go.

If you go Humminbird, you would need 2 Ethernet adapters and one Ethernet cable to go between the 2 units to be a able to network and share sonar and GPS ... in addition to the 2 network capable units.
If you end up with more than 2 Ethernet devices you will have to add a 5 port Ethernet switch to connect them together.

[Chuck Adams]

Bob is correct
In my opinion Humminbird has the best Down Imaging. Can’t comment on side imaging because I don’t use mine
I guess it will also depend on how you are going to fish.
I have my boat set up for me(up front) or whoever is sitting beside me although I haven fished with anybody since Covid.
Buy the best equipment you can afford including rods, rod holders, seats, etc.
Don’t go the cheap route because you’ll wish you hadn’t.
Equipment does matter..... unless you are planning on only fishing pre-spawn.....
A 6 year old using a cigarette butt for bait can catch them during that time.


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[Pa Boat]

Thank you, Chuck and Bob, it is invaluable to have advice from someone who knows the products to help me not make an expensive mistake.

So, if I go with the Helix 7s Basspro lists two versions of the G3N H7,
Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3N GPS Fishfinder/Chartplotter

and
Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N GPS Fishfinder/Chartplotter

I assume the difference is the type of transducer included. There is a $200 difference in price.

My question is if the DI version will display the Side Imaging? If so, I would get a DI for the front and an SI for the console(along with an ethernet cable and 2 dongles) or do I need two SI versions?

I currently us a transducer on my trolling motor and would place the DI transducer there.

Thanks for you help

[BobB]

If you have the 2 units connected via Ethernet the DI unit will display Si shared from the SI unit.

The difference in price is partially the transducer and partially the internal electronics difference. The DI unit will not have transmitters or receivers for the SI elements .... even though it can display data from a SI unit, you cannot get SI on it by replacing the DI transducer with a SI transducer.

Hope that's not too confusing.

[Pa Boat]

Nope, no too confusing. Displaying the image in the front and being able to mark waypoints at either location are what I need.

Thanks for the help. Now I just have to justify the purchase to the wife

[MikeF]

I currently us a transducer on my trolling motor and would place the DI transducer there.

May want to check but I believe there are 2 DI transducers and the Tmotor transducer has more cable shielding built in vs the transom transducer.

Now I just have to justify the purchase to the wife

You can always beg forgiveness with sad puppy eyes.


Good Luck