HB 899 DI or 859 DI on bow (Minnkota PD with US2)

I'm getting ready to order a new unit for bow. I spider rig mostly and have a MK PowerDive trolling motor with US2 which as you guys know is not easy to install an external transducer. I like the thought of having DI and 2D on the bow so I was originally going to order a 859 DI and try to mount the external transducer on my trolling motor. If it was to much hassle or if the external transducer cable bothered me to much while deploying and stowing the trolling motor I was intending on just hooking the 859 DI up to the US2 and use only the 2D sonar. Well I recently found out that the Minnkota US2 is not compatible with an 859 DI unit.

It looks like the 899SI units are Minnkota US2 compatible (2D only)? Is this correct?

If so I was thinking of dropping the extra money and getting a 899 SI unit for the bow. Not sure how much I would use the SI but if I ever got sick of dealing with the transducer cable on the PowerDrive trolling motor I could always use it with the US2. Plus i would have SI and DI.

How much better is the DI on a dedicated DI unit (859 DI) compared to a SI model with DI (899 SI)??

Also I know Humminbird was having issues with software versions later that 6.49 having distorted 2D sonar on the SI models, is this still the case?

Thanks

No distortion on new updates. Views are much better with a DI dedicated transducer. I would recommend a pole mount for the bow transducer. Especially if you vertical jig a lot. You can turn the transducer to view where you are fishing and not have to move it while correcting the trolling motor. Moving the motor distorts DI and SI.

Thanks for the reply Crappielimits. What type of unit and sonar do you use at the bow?

What do most of you spider riggers use? 2D, SI or DI?

I actually run a 899 at the console and have a 787 that come on the boat at the bow I don't use. I planned on adding an 859 to front with a transducer on a pole mount. I just bought this new to me boat in March and really like to swap units every two years to stay up with technology. I really only need 2D with fish ID the way I Fish. I like being able to quick reference fish depth on Fish ID. I scout and mark spots with console SI unit and use bow for reference while fishing. Most are using DI at Bow but I don't like it on trolling motor. It distorts when you turn and I am not big on having a transducer on my trolling motor.

I run a 2d unit on my US2 rigging. Like crappie limits I'm just looking for fish depth to adjust hooks. I runn a stick steer so I have a 998 at my right knee so I can watch both at same time. I fish with a guy who has 998 mounted on his V2 and I can assure you you won't like dealing with the cable and lots of distortion in DI/SI with motor moving. I would just buy the best color 2d and run it on US2. Think if I was going to replace mine right now it would be the Garmin 550C. If set on SI/DI get one of these
http://www.podunkideas.com/l-model.html
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