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I have Elite 7hdi on the console and bow. I am thinking about a 7hd on the console. Never used side imaging and would like to have some input?
I have done a lot of research, but nothing beats hands on experience from people who use them.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Changes everything about the way you fish. Fall fishing you can just sweep into a bay and look for baitfish. Half the spots I fish were found on SS.
I fished Kentucky Lake for better than 20 years and had a pretty good collection of spots, but in the few years since I got SS, I've found many times as many, and I understand what makes the spots good so I can find others even when there aren't any fish on them.
I originally bought sidescan because I fish a lake that doesn't have a lot of structure. Like Catfan said it really opened my eyes! If my unit disappeared, I would have a new one before I got back on the boat!!
2d shows a "cartoon like" image of stuff under the boat...
DI shows a "picture like" image of stuff under the boat...and out to the sides a few feet...
SI shows a "picture like" image of stuff under the boat, out to the sides 100+ ft...and which side of the boat...
SI advantage is finding structure....then re-position the boat to effectly fish that "new-found structure" with the DI or the 2d...
Rickie
Thanks guys. Think I am going to go with the HDS-7 Gen 2 touch on the console and stick with the elite 7 hdi on the bow. The wife just doesn't know it yet.
You can link your HDS7 and 7 HDI if it has a Ethernet cable. I mounted my LSS unit in the storage compartment in the front of my boat. My HDS 7 sits at the helm. I then have an Ethernet cable ran from the LSS unit to the front mounted fish finder. I can operate both units independently or together. It is awesome.
SS lets you get quietly into an area and not spook the fish. You can also draw a line to structure, it tells you how far it is, and.... to help you from guessing, you can set a waypoint directly over that spot. Great for edges of weedbeds or anything else you can think of. Heart starts racing when you see something on the bottom for the first time (like an old tire)
I'm pretty sure the 7HDI only has NMEA capabilities, no Ethernet.
That's correct you cannot link touch and elite with Ethernet. Bad to be nmea and they will share info but only if both units are on simultaneously
Consider the HDS8. The pushbuttons on the 8 are really helpful.
I dont get why people put the bigger or Si unit at the wheel. When I fish I spend 99% time up front.
SI at the wheel for finding new structure, going apx. 5 mph can cover a lot of water.