DOWN IMAGING or STRUCTURE SCAN

I am leaning towards a new depth finder with 3D down imaging whether its Lowrance or Hummingbird is yet TBD. I have read Lowrance has the better unit and is more accurate.

My question is everyone has pictures of brush piles and pilings on bridges, but I haven't seen many down scanned 3D pics of fish... Can anyone help me with that? this is a big thing since I'm leaning towards Lowrance, there lower end models dont have 2D sonar. So I'd like to see pics of fish and bait on 3D. Also, what does the screen look like at 15 MPH on 3D? Can I still see bottom contours and depth or is thiss down image thing STRICTLY for slow speeds? :confused:

The way it looks at speed depends a lot on how the transducer is installed. A typical low transom mount will work at moderate speeds. Mine works up to about 20mph. The sonar overlay mode on the HDS is really nice for identifying fish.

Once you spend 4 or 5 hours on the water playing with one, it will all be clear. Too bad you can't do that before you buy.

Personally, I would steer clear of the DI only units, at least the ones from Lowrance. Not because the DI isn't useful, but because they wouldn't work with the way I use my electronics. I like to idle around looking at my SS, marking a waypoint and maybe looking at it more closely with DI from the console, then moving to the bow and fishing the spot. The Lowrance DS units aren't networkable, so you can't share the waypoints from the console unit, and that would be a PITA to me.

The SS is a tremendous search tool due to the range it covers and the clarity of the image. My dream system would be an HDS with LSS at the console, and then a NETWORKED unit with DI and 2D sonar and mapping at the bow to stay on the spot. Currently that can only be done with an HDS and LSS at the bow as well. I hope Lowrance comes out with such an unit.

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I have a lot of lowrance info which will aid your decision

elite 5dsi seems to be what I need. I just wish it had 2D as well. Can anyone tell me when is it beneficial to use 2D over down scan?

Humminbird units have down imaging and 2d in one unit. Take a look at those too. Personally, the side imaging is far more important than the down imaging.

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Originally Posted by undertheradar

elite 5dsi seems to be what I need. I just wish it had 2D as well. Can anyone tell me when is it beneficial to use 2D over down scan?

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I can see my jig on 2D, not sure if you can on down scan.

Jig on side scan and DI.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...ot3800x600.jpg

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Jig on side scan and DI.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...ot3800x600.jpg

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Tom --whats the # on color?/ looks like bothset the same

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Originally Posted by frank lawhead

Tom --whats the # on color?/ looks like bothset the same

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I believe the left is #8 and right is #5. Can't remember, but I will let you know when the lake goes down (if I remember). You know what I am saying.

My opinion only:

Side imaging unit will give you far more benefits than a di unit. I use 2d sonar and side imaging both at the same time and wouldn't give up either. I seldom bother with di, just no advantage.