I would recommend the pole option if you just had to have SI up front. This is not what it is intended for. They meant for you to scout with SI and mark your spots then use 2d and Gps to go back to fish them. SI works best at speeds faster than most trolling motors move. When you turn your motor it's going to throw everything off in SI mode. I am considering a pole mount for DI purposes when fishing offshore structure, but I am happy with SI at the console. I would put the SI at the console and Ethernet to a unit up front to share waypoints. Idle through an area, mark your structure, then go back to fish your waypoints locating with your GPS and 2D Sonar. I have never liked a transducer on my trolling motor, you never can be weed less that way. I wasn't wild about US2 either.