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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Bigger screens are nice, but the "massive" screens I think are just "cool." Meaning, I run an HDS8 and HDS7 and while I'd not want to use a 5, I've never thought I needed a 10. I do as many here suggest and use the units seperately. The 7 on the bow doesn't even have a transducer hooked up to it and is just for mapping. I used to have my Terrova's US2 on it, but the new Riptide doesn't hav US2, so it's gone, but I don't miss it. The 8 on the console is what I use while driving and navigating and then fishing, it's on a long 2.5" RAM mount and I spin it around and view it from the front and it's my sonar/LSS screen. Sometimes if I'm fishing a small section of a larger area, I'll have one of the units on the chart zoomed way in and the other screen is that area zoomed out so I know where I'm at on the whole structure.
For SI/LSS...I have it and I use it. But for the lake if fish it's not a game-changer. Nice to have and I can see stuff I wouldn't normally see and I cantell cabbage over grass in 14' of water by looking at downscan. That said, I can't wait to get back to Kodiak and use it to map rocks, kelp beds and reefs. It'll pay for itself it's first day back there. But on the bowl of sand that I fish now...I see alot of sand.
I'd suggest hopping in some buddies boats if you can and playing with their electronics and seeing what you like. Birds are great, but I'm a Lowrance guy because they're all I've used and I have messed around with Birds in some friends boats and they're cool, but I just still prefer my Lowrance. But I can say that confidently because I have messed with Birds. See how they have theirs rigged. Alot of suggestions here to use two units, but that may be a headache or a pain to you and you're better off with one huge screen. They make so many models just to fit everyone's price and preferences. Get what works best for you, not just based on the biggest screen and most features. For me, part of why I like Lowrance is I'm familiar with the menus and features...simple as that. |
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Posts: 5874
| If you view it as a toy, probably not worth it. If you view it as a tool, well, now you're spending your money wisely. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Shep, A boat is a ?.... Well it's a tool,.. or a toy..
A Bobcat is also a tool,... but when I'm moving dirt ,..It's a Fun Little Toy.
Screw the "tool" mentally,....(sounds like Work) I want a Toy.
With that said, and a little more research, I'll probably get the 1198c Si,,..... Problem is .....How do I hide the cost from the CEO ?? She can get pretty Nasty at times.
P.S. Pray for me, that I don't get caught........
Jerome
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | lambeau - 11/28/2012 5:53 AM
ask yourself whether or not you really want/need the side imaging. many people just use the map and sonar and don't benefit from the other technologies.
Trust me, you will need the SI once you start realizing what it can do your you. Even more so if you're a multispecies angler. |
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Location: 31 | Troyz. - 11/28/2012 12:57 PM
10" is the only way jerome, heck see more people running pairs of 10's at console. The ability to got resize GPS and graph, the Map size just does not compare to a 8". Ran a 8 for week this year on buddies boat, thankfully new motor is in back of my truck as I type. 10" is the only way, side scan cool, not sure how much I too would use it? Look for used Lowarnce 110,111 or 112.
Troy
...or a 113 with maps. I shoe horned a pair of 10s at the helm and think it's the nuts. For the 2D stuff I run a 113 with expanded GPS screen and a narrow sonar screen. For the 3D stuff (and weather radar) I run an HD10 with a narrow down veiw and expanded side imaging... the side scan really saves on the search time.
Edited by Jerry Newman 11/29/2012 7:28 PM
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Posts: 5874
| Top H2O - 11/29/2012 6:42 PM
Shep, A boat is a ?.... Well it's a tool,.. or a toy..
A Bobcat is also a tool,... but when I'm moving dirt ,..It's a Fun Little Toy.
Screw the "tool" mentally,....(sounds like Work) I want a Toy.
With that said, and a little more research, I'll probably get the 1198c Si,,..... Problem is .....How do I hide the cost from the CEO ?? She can get pretty Nasty at times.
P.S. Pray for me, that I don't get caught........
Jerome
Or you could always justify spending the bucks on a toy. hehehe
As mentioned, go as big as you want to afford.
I've said this many times before.
"Some is good, more is better. Too much is just right!" |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | was once told on a rifle purchase "buy the gun you can afford and the scope you can't" ...
correlation ---
- buy the boat you can afford and the electronics you can't
- buy the rod you can afford and the reel you can't |
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Location: 31 | jonnysled - 11/30/2012 12:00 PM
was once told on a rifle purchase "buy the gun you can afford and the scope you can't" ...
correlation ---
- buy the boat you can afford and the electronics you can't
Right on... We've all seen the expensive fishing boat with small out dated electronics... IMHO totally a backward purchase.
Getting back to the "is it worth it question" Whenever price becomes an obstacle for me I always look to pick the good stuff up used... and have had pretty good luck with this approach. I've got $2000 into the HD10, 113, brackets, and structures scan... there's no way I'd drop 2-3 k for one unit unless I won the lottery. Also buying used/piece meal helps to hide it from the Mrs too... if she knew how much I spent on fishing equipment I wouldn't be long to this world. |
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Posts: 596
Location: deephaven mn | polarkraftdave - 11/28/2012 10:24 PM
You guys that are running 2 units up front on the bow. Are you using 2 transducers on the trolling motor ? Thanks
no, iam not using a transducer o the Humminbird, just using the mapping |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | the bird i have up front uses the si transducer i have in the back of the boat |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Pulled the trigger (pardon the pun,anti gun guys) on the 1198c-SI.....Should be a fun Tool to put more fish in the boat.
Jerome |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | con grats |
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Posts: 163
Location: lake st clair michigan | congrats ...you are gonna love the si .....lots of great videos on you tube to help you get started |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Once you have a year on the water with your new bird you will know how good of a tool you just added to your boat. I have ran my 1187SI for 5 years and it made me a much better guide and fishermen. You will see your fishing water much differently once you get good reading the SI. I can show clients weed points, pockets, cabbage, milfoil, coontail, etc all with one pass by the spot we are going to fish. I explain what direction and why each client is covering while casting. Much easier for clients to understand after watching the bird. Extremely usefull tool for a fishermen.
The people who say it's not worth the money have not been in a boat where someone knows how to read the SI completely. These units will teach even the best fishermen things they never knew about the spots they fish.
You will see the bottom of the lake over time like your standing on the bottom instead of looking straight down. Very very cool "TOY" or learning "TOOL".
I promiss you will be amazed at what your going to learn about the water you know already. Most people will never learn everything these units can teach you. Time on the water with your unit covering water will get you dialed in. From determining what kind of weeds, how tall, how thick, is there pockets, distinct weed edge, etc. Rock's, wood, sand, gravel, mud, clay, etc. It's all possible to determine on these units.
Worth the money?
Guess it depends on how serious you fish. I like to know as much about a spot I fish. Each and every spot I fish.
Do you drift a weed line or pick it apart with your trolling motor? Why not know that exact run with a 3mph pass laying down waypoints as your 75 feet away from your targeted area. Other graphs you have to drive over the spots to GPS them correctly. Your bird can lay waypoints from a distance. I can go on and on. WELL WORTH THE MONEY in my opinion. |
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Posts: 5874
| Mike WAS the best I know at reading and figuring out new water with his X-15 and a map. Since he got that SI, he's at a whole new level of ridiculous. I feel sorry for the fish where he goes now. |
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Posts: 265
Location: Hudson,WI | I have 2 and LOVE them!!
It's an expensive investment, but it's well worth the money.
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Posts: 62
| Jerom,
Now this is where Shep comes in. Tell the wife you hired a new guy (named Shep) and when he showed up for work, he did not have the right 'tools' for the job, so being a good employer you outfitted him with the right 'equipment' and of course you will be garnishing it out of his paychecks.
If she asks to see payroll, ( or just goes straight for the axe handle, point her in Shep's direction, cut her loose, as you hightail out the back door and run for the hills ! (With new 'tools' tucked safely away in the shed till the storm blows over) of course |
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Posts: 62
| Sorry Shep,
Its ALWAYS the 'new guy on the job's' fault !
Jerome, ...here's your 'e'. (must have fell) |
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Posts: 5874
| No problem. Not the first wife, or husband for that matter, to get mad at me!
Edited by Shep 1/10/2013 7:52 AM
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | t-bone blades - 1/10/2013 1:27 AM
Jerom,
Now this is where Shep comes in. Tell the wife you hired a new guy (named Shep) and when he showed up for work, he did not have the right 'tools' for the job, so being a good employer you outfitted him with the right 'equipment' and of course you will be garnishing it out of his paychecks.
If she asks to see payroll, ( or just goes straight for the axe handle, point her in Shep's direction, cut her loose, as you hightail out the back door and run for the hills ! (With new 'tools' tucked safely away in the shed till the storm blows over) of course
She does the payroll, so that won't work,....and she's crafty as heck.
I'm working my plan to hide this "New Tool" as we speak.
I spend about 2-3 thousand dollars a month on small tools,paint,job necessities,ect. at a local farm/hardware store that just so happens to sell fishing electronics.....I ordered the 1198SI and pay a couple hundred down a week without any "Red" flags being raised so far.......
Once it's on the boat and she sees it, I'm sure it will be Ok...???.... Right??
My back up plan??..... Shep made me do it!! |
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | Jerome,
You are ok until she finds this thread on Muskie First 
Have a good winter-- see you on the water this next summer. You should have plenty of time to heal by then 
Steve
Edited by Sorgy 1/10/2013 11:37 AM
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Posts: 62
| Oh crap Jerome, I was afraid that might be the case! The 'fleet' store is the next best thing!
Nothin better. ...(or worse) ? Than a tool stood that sells toys !
Good luck, I'm thinkin about goig that route some day, same deal with the eyes and not wanting to be too 'techy', Like 5th lake said, we have gotten spoiled running two sevens on the bow and two sevens on the councel, ..and i thought THAT was rediculous, till i saw the pic with two TENs on the councel ! Holy shnikee !!!
so let me know what you think after you get used to it. Thanks
Tom |
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