Thread: Up front - Add another unit or a monitor?

Option #2 is the same one I had 2 years ago. 898 on console and 596 on bow. I loved the setup except for the fact that I couldn't navigate to a waypoint from the front without turning around and trying to read the 898 from 9 feet away. Needless to say this was a major pain. As long as you don't mind no way to see your waypoints from the bow your option #2 is a good one. I loved the 596! I ended up getting frustrated with the turning around thing and sold the 596 and added another networked 898 on the bow. Since you can't do that I recommend option #2. There is a thread here somewhere that covers your option #1 and from what I read there are some major drawbacks to adding a monitor such as being able to see it in sunlight, waterproofing and weight. Someone said that by the time they ended up doing everything they needed to do to make a monitor work they came close to spending almost as much as another finder would have cost them.

Originally Posted by Kenny

Option #2 is the same one I had 2 years ago. 898 on console and 596 on bow. I loved the setup except for the fact that I couldn't navigate to a waypoint from the front without turning around and trying to read the 898 from 9 feet away. Needless to say this was a major pain. As long as you don't mind no way to see your waypoints from the bow your option #2 is a good one. I loved the 596! I ended up getting frustrated with the turning around thing and sold the 596 and added another networked 898 on the bow. Since you can't do that I recommend option #2. There is a thread here somewhere that covers your option #1 and from what I read there are some major drawbacks to adding a monitor such as being able to see it in sunlight, waterproofing and weight. Someone said that by the time they ended up doing everything they needed to do to make a monitor work they came close to spending almost as much as another finder would have cost them.

Thanks for the in-depth reply! I think that's the route I'll likely go. I'd love to just network another SI unit, but after buying a new trolling motor, the 898, and other stuff, plus another kid on the way, I better slow down, lol!

I did recently add a Terrova with I-pilot, so if I need to check waypoints, I can walk back to look at the 898 and steer the boat with the remote control. Plus, where I mounted my 898 on the RAM mount, I can turn around if I need to, it's just a pain to do often. Given the fact that I can't spend more now, I'll likely buy the 596 and just upgrade in a year or two.

Thanks again for the thoughts.