advice for finder on the bow

[db50ky]

Guys, getting back into fishing after many years out. I have a Helix 9 SI mega at the console and LOVE it. However I have an old 598 DI at the front and am considering a replacement. Question 1) Considering side imaging unit for the trolling motor at bow so how mwny use SI up front? 2) I think CHIRP is adequate up front , your thoughts? 3) Leaning toward the Helix 7 SI Chirp G2. Was looking at the Garmin Striker plus 7sv but saw a video comparing Garmin to Lowrance and there was some difference in fish showing and some detail in structure on the Garmin. Any suggestions? Don't want to break the bank either
Thanks for your support!

[akaslyguy]

I would go for the biggest screen you can afford. I don't know if I would want side imaging on the bow on anything less than a 9 inch screen. Your standing farther away from it and details will be tuff to pick out on side imaging. I think I would look more into the biggest screen/chirp/di unit I could get. Di will show you good details on about any size screen, but still.... bigger is always better. Chirp is not a have to have feature... but it's nice. It provides real nice target separation on the screen. A gen2n unit would be a have to for me so that i could share waypoints between units.

[TeeDee]

First, I'm not so sure the video in reference shouldn't be taken with a grain of salt. As for the cv ducer on the Garmin, most folks that have posted here and other sites seem to think they are up to the task if you are less than a certain depth. Say 30 feet or so. Particularly those that have and use both. HB's core units have used blended for a good while. Rickie just posted a few days back about which ones still do. I can't remember tho. I do agree to get as large a screen as is possible/affordable regardless of brand. Probably gonna be some pretty slick stuff showing up soon with the releases. Prices will probably come down on some things out now that you are looking at.

I have both sv and chirp on TM. I'm happy. HB has some neat stuff. Good luck in your quest

[Mike58]

I use side image upfront, you are happy with your Helix 9 at the console, so i would buy one for the front also. As you you develop more confidence using your helix at the console you will transition to the front with the same controls and functions. No brainer for me. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

[rnvinc]

One point to note ...

HELIX SI units in Gen 1 do not have a dedicated DI piezo ... The DI image is a computer blend of the left and right SI data and rendered in a DI "looking" format ...

HELIX MEGA SI units have a dedicated DI piezo for true down imaging in a SI unit ...

Rickie

[genec]

GET A HELIX SI THAT HAVE TRUE DI AND THAT WAY YOU WILL HAVE BOTH AT FRONT,AS YOU USE IT JUST CHANGE IT TO THE WAY YOU WANT IT THAT DAY,AND IF YOU HAVE TO GET A SMALLER UNIT THAN YOU WOULD LIKE ,JUST SET SI UP WITH RIGHT SIDE AT TOP AND LEFT SIDE AT BOTTOM ,THAT WAY A 9 INCH SCREEN WILL BE LIKE A 18 INCH SCREEN ,SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE OBJECTS FAIRLY EASY THEN

[db50ky]

Rickie, that is good info. I did not know that DI transducer issue. Mega is looking better all the time even though it is more $. Think there may be a price drop soon on some of those units?

[skunked again]

I'm running Garmin, love them. I was apprehensive about getting them, with I'd read also. I have no regrets. And mine have the CV transducer.
With that said, and someone already mentioned, if you are happy/content with what what you have, stick with it.
You can always elevate the bow unit, to compensate for a smaller screen.


Sent from my XT1254 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[KYdrifter]

DI Unit and a 360!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[rnvinc]

Rickie, that is good info. I did not know that DI transducer issue. Mega is looking better all the time even though it is more $. Think there may be a price drop soon on some of those units?

MEGA has been out about a year ...

Product release cycle for HB is generally 2 years ...which means we don't expect any new products this year ...

Prices don't come down on current products until new products have been released (usually) ...

Rickie