I put Livescope up front and never mounted the regular transducer that came with the Garmin 1242. I don't need it. Livescope shows me everything I could need. Now I do have Side Imaging at the console and I would not do without that for searching where to start. But one you turn on the Livescope unit and have a look around, you may find you don't need anything else up front. Go 10" screen or better. 9" is fine, but you will always wonder about the 10". If you can swing it, go 12".

The way you mount the display can matter. So many good mount out now, you can raise the unit way up and even pivot it toward you for better viewing. You are right, all of it is a rabbit hole. Good luck, but go ahead and get it and be ready for Spring.