Electronics suggestions/ advice needed.

Guys,
I am buying what will probably be my last boat. Due to not getting any younger an my wife's balance issues we are getting a pontoon. I want to set this up for fishing as much as possible. I have pretty much decided on the Ulterra 80# thrust 60" shaft I Piolt link. Also installing the Minn Kota quick remove bracket. Here's where I need help I have been reading up on depthfinders. The more I look at them the more confused I get. I have been looking at the Hummingbird Helix 10 si & 12 I have also looked at the Onix 10 si. Does anyone have these models and would recommend them? Or should I be looking at something different? Also any set up suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Kevin

No experience with locators..other folks will chime in for sure on that ...as far as the trolling mtr. get a 36v and dont look back!!!! you have plenty of wind resistance with a 'toon and WILL need the extra power..wiil be able to go longer too..no such thing as to big, when you need/want it, you have it. 5

Humminbird is reducing pricing on the Onix which probably indicates they are preparing to replace it. It has excellent images, but has a history of being "buggy."

The Helix 10 and 12 are both excellent units with great screen brightness and pixel density. It depends on how you fish, as to which specific models would be good .... I'm pretty sure mrdux has the Helix setup on his pontoon....you might want to PM him....or wait for Rickie to weigh in, since Rickie installed that setup.

You should go to stores and look at models in person, sort of like a 'test drive' for a new car. It seems like anything you buy might be obsolete next week, so you want to know how long the company will guarantee service/parts/support. 3D might be the next big thing....chirp is the big thing right now.

Thanks guys for your inputs I have this boat on order and should be getting it the first week of June. I have already requested that they change the wiring to accommodate the 36 volt. So I will go with the 112 # thrust I Pilot link. I plan on pulling cranks and long lining still have a couple week on the depthfinder decision. But still like to get ideas don't think I will have the funding for a redo if I get it wrong!
Thanks again
Kevin

Any of the HELIX line is a stable technology ...

There is great advantage is using a SI unit on the console for searching ...and a DI unit at the bow for fishing ...

SI also works well at the bow ...but any dual unit setup can benefit in having one of the units a dedicated DI unit (because the HB SI units do not have a "down pointing" DI piezo) ...

ONIX is cool ... ONIX is very customizable ... ONIX has dedicated DI and SI in the same unit ...ONIX can be buggy like Bob mentioned ...

Rickie

Whether it will become "old technology" or not in a week or years it is still light years ahead of a flasher only and a flasher is light years ahead of the old Ky lake rig or weight on a string.

How do you do most of your fishing? Do you know where you are going and what it is you are going to fish or do you need to find cover and fish to fish?

If you know what you are after get the best DI unit you can afford with the best clarity and put that thing up front. If you know where you are headed and what you are fishing regular sonar and DI are great.

If you need to cruise around and search for brush then the SI is where it's at. I would want the biggest screen I could get on this because to me (I have not the best eyesight despite being young-ish) it is hard to see some of the smaller stuff you need to interpret in the SI return.

Not a HB fan anymore.

Lowrance networking, you can read any transducer on any unit networked. Handy dandy. I have 2d si/di at rear. I have 2d/di mounted up front. I can pick and choose what shows up where via network.

I can also share "chip" maps via network. HDS Gen2. I can also make maps from Google and install on HDS. Just gotta know how.

Handy dandy stuff.

I have the helix 9 di and 10 si on my boat. I have yet to think that I wish I would have gotten the bigger screen. I would recommend di unit on the front of the boat if you get the helix, because of what Rickie said about the transducers.

Guys,
Thanks for all the advice and suggestions and also the ones I sent PM's too. I pulled the trigger with Brian today which is also a very nice helpful fellow to deal with! I went with the the Minn Kota Ulterra 112# 60" I Polit link and Helix 10 SI for the Console and the Helix 10 DI for the Bow. Brian had everything from quick realse bracket to the 5 port hub and Ethernet cable to link it all up. Thanks again guys! Sure the questions will really come after I get on the water.
Thanks
Kevin

Now all you need is one of Rickie's mounts and a 360......I think you are going to like that setup.