New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??
oly67
Posted 11/25/2016 8:31 AM (#837300)
Subject: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??




Posts: 171


On my 09 Reata 1850. Thinking about putting my bow HDS-7 in the dash, take the HDS 5 out of the dash and mounting on dash somewhere so one can be on GPS, one on sonar. Then need something new on bow on ram. Want something larger than a 7 so I can see better. Bow will be hooked up to Minnkota auto-pilot with I-pilot. Not real familar with the differences with the HDS 9 G2 or G3 or the Hook series. Don't really think I need all the bells and whistles on the front bow unit but could be talked into if necessary. I have Side scan on the dash unit right now. My HDS's now are both Gen1.

Thought about putting a Humminbird up front so I could get I-link now or in future, but then I would have to buy new Lakemaster chip for that and could not interchange with my Lowrance's. Not really convinced I-link is all that it is cracked up to be, but again, could be talked into if I am wrong.
14ledo81
Posted 11/25/2016 9:38 AM (#837306 - in reply to #837300)
Subject: Re: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??





Posts: 4269


Location: Ashland WI
I-pilot link is certainly all its cracked up to be. At least for me. I use the follow the contour feature quite often on he lake I fish the most. If it's not to windy, I can fish the whole structure without touching the trolling motor.
oly67
Posted 11/25/2016 10:00 AM (#837308 - in reply to #837306)
Subject: Re: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??




Posts: 171


14ledo81 - 11/25/2016 9:38 AM

I-pilot link is certainly all its cracked up to be. At least for me. I use the follow the contour feature quite often on he lake I fish the most. If it's not to windy, I can fish the whole structure without touching the trolling motor.


Like I said, I can be talked into the I-link. If this is true, I am sold.
Fishysam
Posted 11/25/2016 11:20 AM (#837316 - in reply to #837308)
Subject: Re: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??




Posts: 1209


I use I link often. I wouldn't get a gen two or so model but I would say a helix 10 tho. Same package size and weight but extra inch. So my vote is helix gen 1 non si. Just encase your troller craps out then you aren't behind the game when you wish to get link. My favorite part of link is it casts a line where the troller head is pointing , so when I'm offshore casting a long a break or weed edge I can make accurate cast.
oly67
Posted 11/25/2016 11:37 AM (#837319 - in reply to #837316)
Subject: Re: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??




Posts: 171


Fishysam - 11/25/2016 11:20 AM

I use I link often. I wouldn't get a gen two or so model but I would say a helix 10 tho. Same package size and weight but extra inch. So my vote is helix gen 1 non si. Just encase your troller craps out then you aren't behind the game when you wish to get link. My favorite part of link is it casts a line where the troller head is pointing , so when I'm offshore casting a long a break or weed edge I can make accurate cast.


I think I would get I-link right away if I get a Bird, definitely leaning Bird at the moment. Thanks for replies.
dfkiii
Posted 11/25/2016 12:39 PM (#837323 - in reply to #837300)
Subject: Re: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??





Location: Sawyer County, WI
The Bird is the word
Musky Face
Posted 11/25/2016 4:04 PM (#837332 - in reply to #837300)
Subject: Re: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??




Posts: 558


https://youtu.be/2WNrx2jq184
mtcook16
Posted 11/29/2016 8:45 AM (#837587 - in reply to #837308)
Subject: Re: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??





Posts: 546


Location: MN
oly67 - 11/25/2016 10:00 AM

14ledo81 - 11/25/2016 9:38 AM

I-pilot link is certainly all its cracked up to be. At least for me. I use the follow the contour feature quite often on he lake I fish the most. If it's not to windy, I can fish the whole structure without touching the trolling motor.


Like I said, I can be talked into the I-link. If this is true, I am sold.


Scenario: You're fishing and notice the fish are tight to the weed edge and you note that it is at 8'. You go to your Humminbird and select Follow the Contour, but instead of following on top of it, you set a selected Contour Offset, say 40'. This will allow you to set the speed of the motor and then let the boat drive itself, keeping you a cast length away from the fish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRO0PbCpCNg
14ledo81
Posted 11/29/2016 10:18 AM (#837604 - in reply to #837587)
Subject: Re: New front depthfinder, HDS 9 or Hook 9. Or Bird??





Posts: 4269


Location: Ashland WI
mtcook16 - 11/29/2016 8:45 AM

oly67 - 11/25/2016 10:00 AM

14ledo81 - 11/25/2016 9:38 AM

I-pilot link is certainly all its cracked up to be. At least for me. I use the follow the contour feature quite often on he lake I fish the most. If it's not to windy, I can fish the whole structure without touching the trolling motor.


Like I said, I can be talked into the I-link. If this is true, I am sold.


Scenario: You're fishing and notice the fish are tight to the weed edge and you note that it is at 8'. You go to your Humminbird and select Follow the Contour, but instead of following on top of it, you set a selected Contour Offset, say 40'. This will allow you to set the speed of the motor and then let the boat drive itself, keeping you a cast length away from the fish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRO0PbCpCNg


Another way to use this feature is when the fish are holding at the bottom edge of a sharp break. Say a 5' flat quickly drops into 15' and then the 15' area continues out for 400'. If you are looking to target the bottom edge of that break, just set the "follow the contour" feature for 15' with an offset of whatever casting distance you want. Can also work if you want to target the top of the break from the inside.