Your Ultimate Fish/Finding Sonar Setup is ?

The Ultimate Sonar Setup -


Maybe you already have the "Ultimate Fish/Finding Sonar" setup, or maybe your still looking at components to make one. For most of us our "Budget" will determine what we actually end up with regardless of what we really "Want" or "Need".

But here is my question to all of you; lets say you were rigging your boat for your favorite style of crappie fishing next week and budget is NOT an issue, there for "Need" is no longer relevant and you can focus on your "Wants".

1. What style of crappie fishing are you mainly rigging your boat for? (i.e. fishing brush, trolling/long lining, spider rigging/pushing, something else).

2. What brand and type/model of electronics are going in your boat and where are you locating them?


This is not intended to be an X vs. Y brand, as I'm sure we have plenty of people using some of everything that is out there. Just interested to see what most folks would consider to be there ultimate setup.

Spider rig and 2- Helix 12 SI units networked together one up front and one back at steering wheel. The bigger sonar unit screen the better. Now if I could just win a million to buy all this.:Rofl

I hope this doesn't hijack your post, but I have the opposite question. What kind of sonar would you buy if you had a $150 budget?

I want two at the console. One full size one (could care less for model or brand though I am getting more and more disenchanted with humminbird) so I can keep on the lake map and one on DI, SI, or 2d.

I have switched over to fishing for cats now that the summer is here and I am finding that SI and DI is less useful for finding them as 2d is. My 2D skills are lacking.

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Originally Posted by Nutbush

I hope this doesn't hijack your post, but I have the opposite question. What kind of sonar would you buy if you had a $150 budget?

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Not worried if it does, we would all still learn something; but as for an answer to your question for me anyway "I wouldn't" I would wait and save till I could afford something with at least a 8" or 9" screen. IMO unless you are just looking for something to show you water depth and water temp the 3.5" srceens are way to small to give usable info. I personally am running a unit with a 5.5" screen and it just baerly puts out usable info, mainly for chart plotting and waypoints. But if your set on a $150.00 budget then below are 3 that will fit the bill, of them I would go with the one that has GPS and Plotter.
Garmin Striker 4 Sonar Fishfinder and GPS Plotter$119.99
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 197c DI Fishfinder $149.99
Lowrance Hook-3X DSI Fishfinder$129

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Originally Posted by Nutbush

I hope this doesn't hijack your post, but I have the opposite question. What kind of sonar would you buy if you had a $150 budget?

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I would look for a good used color unit. With everyone buying the new Helix units and new Lowrance models they are letting some good units go for cheap. I bought a Humminbird 788ci HD unit off Bass Boat Central a couple of weeks ago for $110.00 and it is working real good for a 2D unit. You just have to look around and find a good deal. I have seen some real good deals here on Crappie.Com also. If you are really wanting one post a WTB on the member advertisement forum also you never know what or who may have one on here for sale. But the only way I would buy a used unit would be with PayPal for your own safety.

http://www.humminbird.com/Products/788ci-HD-Combo/

I have what I think is the ideal set up. Lowrance 2 hds gen 3 12 's. With a point one antenna. One at console the other on trolling motor networked and both have structure scan and 2 d sonar ...couldn't ask for anything better I don't think

Lonnie84; You are right on about" I would wait and save till I could afford something with at least a 8" or 9" screen." I have a Humminbird 899ci HD SI and have found out that if I had even a bigger screen I would have been able to see even more information better. A fish sonar is much like a rifle scope the better quality and bigger power size will let you see a lot better. So really if you can don't skimp on your sonar if you can afford it.

I'm pretty happy with the 1199/Helix 12DI setup at the bow.
The dual 999's at the consoles are about pushing the limits of what I can fit behind the glass....
BIGGER sure IS better!

Budget is not my concern. I get what is practical for my boat. Bigger is not always better in my opinion. Being practical is more important. My wants never exceeds my needs.

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Budget is not my concern. I get what is practical for my boat. Bigger is not always better in my opinion. Being practical is more important. My wants never exceeds my needs.

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It is in my case Tom, especially imaging details.
I've had diabetes for more than ten years and I am losing my sight slowly.
My phone is about useless without readers and readers are no good in 30 some degree WX most of the time.
I don't chase loose women or drink so I spend on the things I enjoy...like FISHING!
:biggrin
I know a lot of folks can't afford to have some of the latest and greatest stuff, so I have to save a few pennies a week to get what I use.
Having a 999 inches from my mug behind the wheel works as well as a 10 or 12 inch display at the bow does.

I use a 688DI on the ice, and I need glasses to see much detail (if they're not all fogged up) - for a lot of folks that 5" screen is just fine.

:ThumbsUp

I understand that bigger would be practical in your case.

I would love to go back to 5" or 7" screens!
:twocents
Much more affordable, excellent pixel density, lighter weight and much less battery current draw.
My 798 and 899 were both great units and my LMS332c served me well back in the days before I went with imaging units.
I try to have the boat rigged for nearly any fishing conditions I come across...

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Originally Posted by sfw1960

I try to have the boat rigged for nearly any fishing conditions I come across...

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That's kinda what I'm going for, I fish crappie, catfish and sand bass utilizing multiple methods from sitting over brush to trolling, pushing/spider rigged, jug lining and drifting. Also in the process of rigging the boat with permanent mounted lights for night fishing and in the winter I can also put up my full enclosure kick on some heat and fish through the floor utilizing my three access (trap door) panels in the floor. What I've been struggling with is what is the best option to rig the electronics (this is on a 28 foot pontoon boat). Originally I was considering an Onix NT but very few people talk about them anymore the since the Helix arrived, was also considering something with 360 capability, and "Kosmo" on here says the 360 works better with the Onix. I plan on running a unit at front of the boat using a da-ducer up front and a unit at the helm with SI. Not sure if I should put the si ducer up front as well, I hate info that is totally behind me, and you cant just whip a 28 ft. pontoon around like you can a bass boat. Also not sure if one were to have 360 if there would still be a need for SI seems like the same info coming at you just in a different method. The truth is I'm an "Over-Thinker" trying to get the best set-up for me but not sure what that really is!!!!

Yep - you can get a regular 2D variant of a Helix 9-10-12 or ONIX and slap a 360 on there...
I would have saved up some coin for one, but don't feel the 455KHz is capable of displaying sharp enough images for my liking.
I have mentioned before if they came out with the "Hi Def" version with longer crystals and 800 KHz capability, I'd bite.
I fish in a few feet of water out to 50-60 sometimes 70 FOW for fish and I don't feel it's as beneficial to my style(s) of fishing as the HDSI can image with 800 KHz.

What units are you running? If I understand correctly a 800 KHz is better for 360? Does any of the Helix or Onix run at 800?

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Originally Posted by sfw1960

Yep - you can get a regular 2D variant of a Helix 9-10-12 or ONIX and slap a 360 on there...
I would have saved up some coin for one, but don't feel the 455KHz is capable of displaying sharp enough images for my liking.
I have mentioned before if they came out with the "Hi Def" version with longer crystals and 800 KHz capability, I'd bite.
I fish in a few feet of water out to 50-60 sometimes 70 FOW for fish and I don't feel it's as beneficial to my style(s) of fishing as the HDSI can image with 800 KHz.

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Originally Posted by Lonnie84

What units are you running? If I understand correctly a 800 KHz is better for 360? Does any of the Helix or Onix run at 800?

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360 imaging is 455kHz only ...

Rickie

"Kosmo" on here says the 360 works better with the Onix. I plan on running a unit at front of the boat using a da-ducer up front and a unit at the helm with SI. Not sure if I should put the si ducer up front as well, I hate info that is totally behind me, and you cant just whip a 28 ft. pontoon around like you can a bass boat. Also not sure if one were to have 360 if there would still be a need for SI seems like the same info coming at you just in a different method. The truth is I'm an "Over-Thinker" trying to get the best set-up for me but not sure what that really is!!!![/QUOTE]I've run 360 on a 998 and on an Onix.I can't say that one or the other has much difference in clarity over the other.The 998 could display si/di ,from the 360 peizo''s at 455khz. The clarity and range of the si ,is not as good as the stock hdsi ,transducer.While running 360/2d at the same time.Thereis a lot of lag in the 2d. (Same thing happens on the helix models, also).I run 360 on an ,Onix si unit now.There's (no )option,to run 360 in si/di mold.Also ,I don't have the 2d lag ,that I mentioned above. (I think the Onix just has more prosser power than what the other hummingbird product line has).

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Originally Posted by Lonnie84

What units are you running? If I understand correctly a 800 KHz is better for 360? Does any of the Helix or Onix run at 800?

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Like Rickie said - 455KHz only on the 360 if they offered an 800 KHz version with longer imaghing crystls I might be looking for one.
I run 2 X 999's, an 1199 and a Helix 12 DI.

There's no option,to run 360,in si/di mold,on an Onix si.I don't no if the Onix 2d units,are the same.

I am getting ready to order my dream setup for my new Ranger RT188. I am going to run two Helix 10's on a BBT dual mount on the dash. One will be a sonar/GPS for running Lakemaster plus map. The other will be a SI/GPS version for SI and DI. Then I will have a Helix 12 Chirp/GPS on a 2" BBT mount on the bow. The 12 will be hooked to a 360 mounted on my Fortrex. My only issue is trying to figure out what I need for Ethernet cables, 5 port hub, adapters/dongles. Never ran more than two units before. My 1159DI and 1199SI was pretty easy setup. Anyone have a educated guess on how many Ethernet cables and what lengths I will need? Any other items I need to make these all "talk"/"share" with each other?

360 comes with an Ethernet cable ...

You will need ...:

*AS ETH 5PXG ...(The AS ETH 5PXG requires 12v power so plan on where to install) ...
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://...uJN3Ay_-Mlp3rA

* 3 Ethernet cables ... (long enough to reach from each head unit to the AS ETH 5PXG) ...
http://www.humminbird.com/Freshwater...s/?facets=7319,

* 3 adapter cables ...
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://...2NIVUNM2nLX6JA

Rickie

I would suggest considering at least 1 unit as a dedicated DI unit so that your networking setup with have access to all the Sonar technologies (2d/"Dedicated DI"/"DI from SI"/SI/360 imaging) ...

Rickie

The ultimate setup is one that you know how to use effectively. Technology is only useful in skilled hands. Read the manual, know what your unit does and doesn't do. Know it's limits and how to interpret it's data.

Do that and you'll have the success you want.