Needing some electronic help/advise!

Absolutely loving the forum and all the available information! I have learned quite a bit from reading and researching the forum and anxious to put it all to work. Plan on making some purchases to the site sponsors after seeing all the amazing craftsmanship put into a lot of the products from jigs, rods, and boat accessories.

I have bought a new boat "2015 Xpress xp200, 115hp yammy" which is a major upgrade from what I had "16/52 F&F !!
I am a newbie to crappie fishing and in the process of getting the boat set up to start filling the live well :)
The boat came with a Minn Kota Maxxum 70# and I tried to get the dealer to do some trading with me on a Terrova because I want the I-Pilot and they wouldn't even quote me a price? So....for the mean time I am gonna use it and until I purchase the Terrova and then sell the Maxxum. If anyone is in the market for a Maxxum shoot me a message!! It has been used 1 day so far (this past weekend).
I also bought Hitek rod holders which I am loving so far, two 4 rod for the front and two for the rear. My next purchase is going to be some electronics and that is where the confusing starts.....and the reason for the post.

Looking for ideas and suggestions/recommendations. It has a 386ci at the console now.
I am wanting a unit for the bow and a unit for the console. After reading and reviewing the consensus says to go as large a screen as you can afford and that makes perfect sense to me, I am not familiar with using any of them at this point and time but am a quick learner and don't want to make a mistake buying something to get me by now wishing I had went larger/better later. I am wanting SI after fishing with a friend of mine this past weekend to which he has. I like the reviews of the Helix 5 but size has been the cons of it. Also read quite a bit on the 898 and 999. I am torn at which route to go!!

If you were trying to rig a new boat what electronics would you go with and why ? Money wise, I don't mind paying for quality and usefulness but I want to keep it feasible for a weekend fisherman or hobbyist if that makes sense.
I have gathered that Shut up and Fish or BBG Marine will probably be the best avenue for purchasing.

Thanks and looking forward to the responses.

899 or 999 either one would be great for console. Then put that little unit up front for right now. Later you might want to upgrade it to a larger unit.

When you jump into SI, you will want to get the biggest unit that fits your budget.

The Helix offers some great features for the price, but the one limitation you would have with it is that you wouldn't be able to do the I-pilot link.... I think the rebates on the 999 are still in effect if your budget will stretch that far.

999 pics from this weekend Attachment 205904Attachment 205905

Jumping carp
Attachment 205906

Cray you are spot on of what I had in mind actually! Just didnt think I would be happy putting the little unit up front after looking at the 999 for instance but honestly that is what I had just about made my mind up doing.

BobB it is a shame they didnt make the Helix linkable, I'd like a 999 at the console and a Helix at the bow if they would communicate.

tcounty thanks for sharing the pics !! Great pictures, I am a newbie and I am gonna guess that is beds on the right image of the first pic and on the left side of the third pic ?
I still cant figure out how you guys determine what kind of fish you are seeing!! Guess it comes with experience :)

Thanks for the replys and help fellas, keep them coming!

Ok, now I'm going to give you a second opinion. Since you think you would like to have 2 units linked at some point, I would move existing unit to front buy 899 for console, then later as finances let you move the 899 to front and purchase a 999 for console if in fact you still want to have units linked.

If there are funds for 2 networkable units ...

I would suggest 1 unit in SI ... And the other in dedicated DI ...

This will give you the best of both Sonar technologies ...

HB SI units do have DI ...but it's computer generated DI and just not as good as dedicated DI because of which direction the sound pulse is emitted from the xducer ...(we can discuss the technical aspect of this later) ...

This setup (at minimum to be networkable) will put you into a 859ci HD DI Combo and a 899ci HD SI Combo ...

If the funds can stretch just a little farther ...get the 999ci HD SI Combo (because it comes with a better xducer than the 899 SI) ...

Put one sonar technology at the bow and the other sonar technology at the console ...then as experience is gained in what each sonar technology can do for your fishing style ...you may decide to swap each to the other end of the boat ...
--------

If there are funds for only 1 unit ... Start with SI (as cray mentioned ) ...

In the biggest screen you can afford (as Bob mentioned) ...

Then expand later ...

Rickie

I would start with an 899 or 999 at console. Mount on a RAM that can be turned towards the front. Use the smaller unit up front and turn the 999 back and forth.

A ton of great info, thanks to everyone!
I am liking the sounds of the 999 more and more. I notice there is an option for Navionics when purchasing the 999, is that something you guys think would be a good investment initially as it is higher priced to add ? Is there anything special to the KVD edition other than having his name on it and some red buttons ?

You can use either Navionics or Lakemaster in those units. Each has good points.