Structure scan on trolling motor

I'm trying to decide if I would use structure scan on the trolling motor if I had it. Anyone have any opinions whether it's worth it or not?

Some people use it there and love it. Might actually be better off using the Bow Transducer Mounts by Fishing Specialties. I'll probably be doing this as well one day.

http://www.fishingspecialties.com

This is what I am thinking about using for DI at the front. I personally, can not find a reason to use as SI on the trolling motor or really at the bow. I use SI only when scouting and Mark a track or spots. Then I come back and use GPS/2D sonar to fish them. I get my best images at speeds between 1.5 to 4.5 MPH. Just what works for me! A wise mentor of mine told me not to let my gadgets distract my fishing time.

Yes being able to see 100' each direction is horrible. It's a cheap upgrade and easy to install. Is an ideal speed over 1mph? Yes but even sitting still you can still see what is around you. The DI alone is worth the install. I won't ever be without SI at the trolling motor again.

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Thanks, for all of your recommendations. I had it on my last boat, but couldn't remember if I used it as much. I wasn't going to get it now, but was thinking about getting the depth finder where I can add it on later or was just going to get the new elite 7 hybrid.

hds7 with structure scan is 859 or 829 right now after 300 rebate from digital oasis. I had elite 7, didn't use it but was much lighter and felt cheaper made than the hds units IMO. It's pretty handy especially fishing brush piles and such to see where they end or where more is without randomly scouting on DI or 2d.

If you just want the DI and sonar, Lowrance just announced a new CHIRP elite 7 DI combo. Supposed to be even cleaner returns.

It's definitely worth it Di let's you know what's right in front of you as well as 2D can actually see your jig when vertical jiging and Si let's you know what's right beside you. With the Di you do get your best images from 1.5 to 4.5 but when you get use to it you can interrupt what your seeing at slower speeds.

Here is a link to a humminbird video about SI on the trolling motor. It's an HB video but the principle would be the same so you can decide whether you would like SI up front.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT8nArMGwPA

I think I'm going to put a lowrance hds 8 up on the trolling motor as soon as I save up some more after buying the one for the console and structure scan too. That's a good video. Thanks again for every ones help again. Lowrance are proud of there stuff but I really like the hds 8.

Good choice that's what I just put front on mine and I really like it.

Just make sure you buy one from some of the sponsors and you will save a lot. I saw a HDS 8 listed for $1200 the other day and then it still had rebates available too. Places like Bass Pro will charge full retail and you'll over pay. I was at an Academy sports the other day and they still had a 998hd for $1999.00. Crazy!

I think you gotta buy a bundle to get the $300 rebate and rebate ends April 21. After that or if you just buy the HDS8 alone I think you still have to pay 1200 for just the unit..... The cheapest I've found is Digital Oasis for HDS8 STructure scan LSS-2 bundle at 1500 and with rebate that is $1200 for bundle.... but BBG Marine is a board sponsor and is 1529 and I'm sure will match their price. But if they are out, I've bought 3 from The Digital Oasis and it is a reputable company I always received in 3 days or so. They are usually the cheapest on the Web, but I never tried to haggle on prices with BBG, I did buy my Xi5 from BBG and was cheapest I could find without haggling. I'll buy buying everything from them from now on as I actually got to talk to Brian there and not just an order taker. It's a lot of money but if you only need the HDS8 it might work out to go ahead and buy the bundle and sell the LSS-2 box and transducer if you don't need it and get your HDS8 for around $700 in the end. After $300 rebate and probably close to $500 for the Lss2 box and transducer. Just an idea. :santa

IF you only have 1 sidecan unit then the console would be best as you will use it more scouting. I have a 598 humminbird SI on my trolling motor. Its really nice letting you know you just missed that brushpile by 10 feet or so....you can also rotate the motor when looking for that bursuhpile you swear you should be just on top off. I can occasionly see my trolling rigs on sidescan if the wind is blowing the boat just right

Another much cheaper option is extention cords for the unit and a ram mount with 2 balls so you can move up front for those times you want to. I bought the chords for the hummingbird extention and ended up putting an hds up there. And yes the other day I was trying to spider rig in 25 fow in the wind and running my trolling motor myself and when I'd speed up too fast I could easily see my 1/2 oz weights on the HdS and where they was in the water column which was pretty neat.