Advice on boat set-up (SI, GPS, and DI)

I need some input from all you professional boat riggers and electronics gurus. I've got an aluminum mod v (package boat) that I'd like to upgrade electronics on. The boat came with a hummingbird 160 max (good for depth and water temp) and I had a 570di put on the bow when I bought it - transducer on the TM.

I think the 570di gives me a pretty good idea of what I just went over and is pretty easy to operate/understand so I like it. I'm intrigued by the idea of SI and GPS, neither of which I currently have. I've been using a handheld GPS to mark structure I've found, but this ain't real efficient ya know..

I think I'd like to get a low end SI unit to mount at the console with the transducer on the transom, and link to a small GPS capable unit to mount along with my 570di up front. My thought is that I could scan from the console, mark and share waypoints from both locations and still have a pretty clear picture of what is beneath me on the DI while I fish. It would also be cheaper than the packages I've looked at.

If I link the two units will they use the same transducer (at the transom)? Can I/should I put the transducer inside the hull? I know folks do that with fiberglass, but aluminum? What do y'all think? What am I missing?

For me, and it's my opinion only, si on console and another gps on the bow, linked together. The reason is, how often are you trolling or moving with the tm to allow the si to work it's best (meaning 3-5 mph) Most of my "searching" is using the big motor at these speeds. If you want the bigger screen of the si units to watch your 2d, then that's fine, but I wouldn't count of getting any good images at spider riggin speed while on si. imo

You really can't put a SI transducer in the hull and get anything other than 2d. SI at the console with the DI on the trolling motor will work just fine. The only way to share a transducer is get a switch but I don't think that is worth it. I have SI on my TM and I think it is the cats meow. Put the scroll speed on 1 and the images come out really good.

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Originally Posted by talltimber

For me, and it's my opinion only, si on console and another gps on the bow, linked together. The reason is, how often are you trolling or moving with the tm to allow the si to work it's best (meaning 3-5 mph) Most of my "searching" is using the big motor at these speeds. If you want the bigger screen of the si units to watch your 2d, then that's fine, but I wouldn't count of getting any good images at spider riggin speed while on si. imo

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I agree. That's what I want...I think. Part if my intent was to save money by buying a cheaper gps unit for the bow, but after researching HB's line it looks like the smaller units (500 series) aren't really capable of being linked. If I keep the 570 for DI at the bow and buy a unit capable of linking to a 798 it looks like I might as well buy a combo unit (di/gps/2d) for the front instead. Otherwise I would have 2 transducers on the TM and two screens taking up deck space. And because I spider rig at low speeds fairly often, the donut thing has me second guessing HB anyway. Maybe I need to rethink my strategy.

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Originally Posted by lcookie

You really can't put a SI transducer in the hull and get anything other than 2d.

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Thanks. Didn't know this. Changes my plan some...

Splitshot82.

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