Advice on GPS puck location?

I finally got a GPS combo. Now I need to install it. I have a Tracker 175. Here is my plan: I want to mount the puck/receiver as close to the transducer as possible to make my waypoints for brushpiles and whatnot more accurate. The most obvious place would be one of the rear corners as they are off the deck and have clear view of the sky in all directions. Not to mention as close to directly above the transducer as I will be able to get. A couple questions though. Is it important for that receiver to be mounted level? The corner sections are angled toward the rear of the boat. Not a sharp angle, but does this matter? Also, how difficult is it to damage a puck? Would this be a safe location? If anyone has ever wired a Tracker, any advice on routing the wires would be appreciated also. I have a few ideas that should work, but I know some of you have a lot of experience in this sort of thing. I am open to suggestions. I want to get this right. Thanks in advance for the help.

SpeckWick - Last week I got my 997si installed and had the same thoughts. I mounted mine near the console for now but it can be temporary. The old FF I removed had a hole here so I just reused that location. Yes the waypoints will be off a little however as long as they are consistant I didn't see a problem. The rear corners look good to me but I was way ascared of breaking one these expensive receivers. Let us know what you come up with. I've got some photos is the user photo bucket. My boat is similat a SeaArk forecast 170.

I had a similar issue when I installed mine 3 years ago. I pulled the boat out of the barn and played with the GPS, and it didn't seem to matter how it was situated.

I installed mine with 3M car molding tape thinking I could move it if I didn't like it. Been on there 3 years that way and still holding fine.

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Originally Posted by CatFan

I had a similar issue when I installed mine 3 years ago. I pulled the boat out of the barn and played with the GPS, and it didn't seem to matter how it was situated.

I installed mine with 3M car molding tape thinking I could move it if I didn't like it. Been on there 3 years that way and still holding fine.

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Did you mount it on the back corner or next to the console?

If it can see the sky, unobstructed your good... get as close as possible/practical to the transucer.

I use the ram gps mounting plate which attaches to the bottom of the cradle mount. I like to have my puck right there where my ff is. Here's a link to the plate. You probably will have to use a ram mount for this to work. Works well and prevents drilling any holes.
Part Details

The boat I bought has two - one is at the bow and the other at the back corner. Only been in the boat once, when I test drove it - and it seemed to be really accurate at identifiying structure in the correct place

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Originally Posted by Jeepster04

I use the ram gps mounting plate which attaches to the bottom of the cradle mount. I like to have my puck right there where my ff is. Here's a link to the plate. You probably will have to use a ram mount for this to work. Works well and prevents drilling any holes.
Part Details

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If you unit is on the front of the boat & your transducer is on the stern your mark is gonna be off by the lenght of the boat at best. Fot that reason I won't buy a unit with an internal antenna. Both my units have the pucks as close to the transducer as possible. Been working out good for me.

My FF will be mounted at the console. I'm holding off till later in the year to put a 797 or better up front and network the two together. My console FF dies a couple months ago, so I got this to replace it. It's a HB 768 Combo w/ external GPS. From the sounds of things, I'll be okay to mount the puck on the back corner. It will be almost directly above the transducer, but about a foot right of it. I'd rather have it there than to have it on the console and do math everytime I mark a pile due to the distance from the FF to the puck. Thanks for the help. Now, anybody have any advice on routing the wires. Again, it's a Tracker 175. It will be mounted on the same side as the console, so it will be a relatively straight shot. Will I have to tear up the deck to get it through?. i don't want to run it above deck unless I absolutely have to.

If you still have the old transducer or power wires available you can do this. Before you pull the wires from the old transducer, tie a peice of small string or light rope to the plug end. When you pull the wire through the rope will come with it. Then tie the rope around the new transducer plug and pull from the console end and walla! This worked very well when I installed my new unit at console. If you don't have the old wires to work with then you can use an electricians fisch tape.

Thanks Jeepster. That's what I had planned and what I did. I got it installed last night. Worked on it till 1:30 am, but it looks GOOOOOD. My old FF transducer was on the left side of the back, I actually attached the new to the right back corner so it is in line with the controlhead. Also less wire routing that way. I mounted the GPS puck above that on top of the back corner. It's pretty close to directly above the 'ducer. I routed that wire under the top rail of the boat between the deck and the rail. It's completely invisible and safe and I only had to drill one hole. the one under the puck. Worked out pretty well. All the wires are protected and out of the way and I think the receivers are in good positions. Thanks everybody for the help.

Here is where I mounted them:

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Originally Posted by SpeckWick

Here is where I mounted them:

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That's your best installation there SpeckWick. Good choice! :)

Got to test it in the rain and 40 degree temps today. It works great. Now I need one for the front.:D Plenty of things I still have to learn, but it was good to see I did something right anyway.