Bow Mount sonar unit- SI, DI, 2d, or something else?

In your opinion, what is the best set-up for the bow mounted sonar unit?
Side Imagining unit, Down Imaging unit, no frills 2d sonar unit, or something else?
Assume your captains chair has your main sonar unit that you use for most everything and the bow unit will be strictly for when you are moving via the trolling motor. What functions does it need to perform and why?

I see it all the time, what do I put up front? I have the same question and have been asking myself this question for over a year now. I can make an argument for any of the options. I realize trolling motor will play a part, assume you have the perfect trolling motor to match your bow mounted sonar unit perfectly.

Why side-scan on the bow?? you can use it as 2D DI or side scan, so you have more options as to what to look at. The 'ducer in on a "DA-DUCER" device and works well that way.

I think it's all relative to your type of fishing. I'm kinda unique in that I run a stick steer and have my big unit mounted by my right knee. And bow unit right in front of me. I can run big unit on chart or chart and SI while running bow unit on 2d or DI. Most important to me is GPS on both. That way I can mark stuff on bow and transfer to main unit or vice averse. I mainly spider rig so that suits my purpose. If I had the opportunity I would run SI also.

WITH SI ON BACK,I WOULD WANT 2D,GPS AND TRUE DI ON FRONT,NOT CRAZY OVER COMPUTE TYPE DI FROM SI ,SOMETIMES YOU GET A GOOD PIC BUT MANY TIMES JUST A LAPSE OF BOTH SIDES,HUMMINBIRDS BIGGEST MISTAKES IMO,NOT BASHING JUST STATING A FACT,HAVE 1199 AND 859 DI AND LOVE THEM,ALSO HAVE LOWRANCE ELITE DI

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Originally Posted by genec

WITH SI ON BACK,I WOULD WANT 2D,GPS AND TRUE DI ON FRONT,NOT CRAZY OVER COMPUTE TYPE DI FROM SI ,SOMETIMES YOU GET A GOOD PIC BUT MANY TIMES JUST A LAPSE OF BOTH SIDES,HUMMINBIRDS BIGGEST MISTAKES IMO,NOT BASHING JUST STATING A FACT,HAVE 1199 AND 859 DI AND LOVE THEM,ALSO HAVE LOWRANCE ELITE DI

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I agree somewhat. Humminbird would have been better off, displaying the right and left peizo's in separate views(not blended). If using a humminbird si unit for di, it's best to keep the boat off to one side of the structure/fish. By blending the two sides, they actually degraded the si images,that appear in the DI view. (imo) a humminbird 2d unit, coupled with 360, is the only setup necessary for bow.Di,is fun to play with tho. With Lowrance, there spot light scan, doesn't really work. So I wouldn't recommend Lowrance. Garmin has a forward scanning, but if the transducer is mounted on the trolling motor, it's very limited. You would be better to mount it on a du, ducer apparatus of some kind. Still seems to me, it's limited....

Thanks for the reply's so far. Based on the comments, seems like dedicated DI or 2D is preferred up front. You can always pull SI off the rear transducer. Forward imaging would be nice, 360 is not cheap.

A Helix 9 2d/360 is $1640. No sales tax and free shipping at Universalmania.com

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Originally Posted by kosmo

A Helix 9 2d/360 is $1640. No sales tax and free shipping at Universalmania.com

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I could not find that combination Kos, they showed both items individually but separately they were about $1900

Just looked again. It's $14077.27.. http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps6nfshvu9.png http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/z...psreuut2dl.png http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/z...psbz9k8kva.png

I've ordered several items from universalmania.com....